Hotaru or firefly, are beloved in Japan. Often part of Japanese poems, songs, and stories they are unfortunately on their way to extinction due to the overzealous use of pesticides. Japanese streams are too often contaminated with pollutants, killing Hotaru and making them more and more difficult to find. [...]
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The Gora Kadan Ryokan is located in the heart of Hakone, one of Japan's most famous onsen and resort areas near Tokyo. Here you will find the former retreat of the Kanin-no-miya Imperial family. Open to all this “Relais & Chateaux” ryokan is the pride and joy of Hakone [...]
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Birthplace of one of Tokyo’s oldest trees (it’s more than 700 years old), the Joshinji Templewas first established in 1678 in Kuhonbutsu, Tokyo. Home to the three Buddha Halls which are just in front of the main hall, house three of the nine Amida (Amitabha) Buddha. [...]
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Located in Saitama prefecture north of Tokyo, Gongendo is a gorgeous park featuring over 1,000 Sakura trees along a 1km stretch and a huge field of Rapeseed flowers. The contrast between the blue sky, light pink of the Sakura and the Rapeseed, make Gongendo Park an homage to spring! [...]
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Because of the recommendations made by the Japanese government to limit travel, experiencing Sakura season will be rather different this year. We are doing our best by traveling to places that are usually not too crowded like here on the banks of the Onnahori River in Saitama prefecture. [...]
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Located in Osio in Kanagawa prefecture, Oiso No Sagicho is a 400-year-old Matsuri (festival) celebrating a guardian deity for travelers called a Dosojin as well as being known as Oiso or ‘Little New Year’. [...]
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Sumo was first mentioned in a Kojiki manuscript dating back to 712 describing how possession of the Japanese islands was decided in a wrestling match between the divine being (Kami) Takemikazuchi and Takeminakata. It is only several years later, around 720, that the first Sumo match between mortals took […]
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You don’t know Tokyo until you’ve seen the Izu Islands. Located off the coast of Honshu, Japan’s main island, these nine smaller islands are actually within Tokyo’s jurisdiction. Spending a weekend island hopping here can give visitors a breath of relief from the organized chaos of Tokyo proper. [...]
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You don’t know Tokyo until you’ve seen the Izu Islands. Located off the coast of Honshu, Japan’s main island, these nine smaller islands are actually within Tokyo’s jurisdiction. Spending a weekend island hopping here can give visitors a breath of relief from the organized chaos of Tokyo proper. [...]
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There are hundreds of types of traditional dances in Japan, and Awa Odori is one of the best-known ones. Originated in Tokushima, it is now enjoyed and danced hundreds of thousands of performers across Japan. [...]
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Bon Odori is a Japanese traditional folkloric dance. Bon Odori, which has a history of approximately 1,000 years. Actually, this Folkloric dance is for worshiping ancestors in the “Bon season” (July-August) derived from Buddhism, and there are more than 1,000 different types of dance nationwide in Japan [...]
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Ondagawa is a small river that flows through Machida City, a suburb in southwest Tokyo. Unassuming all year long, Ondagawa is however, during Sakura season, one of the most beautiful secret sakura spots in Tokyo that you definitely have to check thanks to its 400 plus cherry trees […]
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