16 Spirituality of Mitsumine Shrine in Chichibu Cathy Cawood Mitsumine Jinja is a large and beautiful Shinto shrine in the Chichibu Mountains. It is an easy day trip from Tokyo and is dedicated..
Culture Bikkuri Hinamatsuri 2026 Feb 20th - Mar 7th The traditional "doll appreciation season" is just around the corner! Enjoy this hina-doll festival that is held in a historical..
8 Culture Shoden-in Temple Sherilyn Siy The Shoden-in Temple traces its history back 1300 years ago during a tumultous period in the Korean peninsula, when a large nu..
8 Culture Omanocho Former Nakamura Residence Elizabeth S Koshigaya City preserves a stately country manor, nagayamon gate, main house, and kura storehouses built to the highest standards..
Explore Saitama with the JR TOKYO Wide Pass Featured The Northward Golden Route spans across Saitama, Gunma, and Niigata prefectures; and if you enjoy nature, history, and hot springs,..
Culture Ranzan Lavender Festival Lynda Hogan Ranzan lavender festival is only on its second year, but already the Sennen No Sono has pinched the title for Japan's largest..
6 Culture Yamaguchi Kannon Kim Bergström Yamaguchi Kannon is situated in Tokorozawa, Saitama Prefecture, and is said to date back to the 9th Century. The large Kannon tower..
Activities Seibu Train Festa 2026 Early Jun At the annual Seibu Train Festa, there is something for train fans young and old. It is a rare chance to see inside Seibu's..