Summer in Japan – Obon, Bon Odori, Mountain Day
The absolute dog days of summer in Japan (mid-August) are marked by Obon. Obon (お盆) is a Japanese Buddhist custom to honor the spirits of one’s ancestors. This Buddhist custom has evolved [...]
On the Nakasendo Trail in the Japan Alps
The Nakasendo Trail – one of the five main roads (Gokaido) of the Edo (Shogun) period. This exceptionally well preserved trail of post towns deep in the heart of Japans’ alps is an exceptional [...]
The Hida-Takayama Matsuri – Takayama Autumn Festival – Tour of Japan
The Takayama Autumn Festival is a spectacular float festival that has been held for over 350 years, in both the spring and autumn. It features eleven tall floats that weigh several tons and [...]
Sapporo Snow Festival (Yuki Matsuri) – Hokkaido
The annual festival boasting gaudy, incredibly large, intricate and simply amazing ice sculptures took place earlier this month in Sapporo in the north of Japan. The focus of the week-long [...]
The Japan Alpine Route – Natural and Man-Made Wonders
Traveling the Japan Alpine Route: The Kurobe Dam A torrent of falling water evokes Niagara Falls, only man made. “Kurobe Dam“, Japan’s largest dam and indeed one of the largest [...]
Fun Festivals in Japan – Santera Mairi Matsuri in Hida Takayama
One of the truly great things about the Japanese is their love of festivals, known as Matsuri. Festivals in Japan abound for all reasons, seasons and occasions. These festivals are steeped in [...]
