Tag: Japan Forward
Aomori’s Takayama Inari Shrine: Senbon Torii and Cherry Blossoms
Takayama Inari Shrine, in the northern Prefecture of Aomori, is famous for its Senbon Torii gates, framed with cherry blossoms in spring.
Since ancient times the shrine has been a popular place for local people who pray for a...
Take a Refreshing Pause at Shizuoka’s ‘Tea Room in the Sky’
Green fields of tea ー almost ready to be harvested ー extend out across the mountain at an altitude of 350 meters. Seat yourself on a wooden terrace built right into the middle of the Shizuoka tea field, and enjoy your own...
The Famed Oto Fire Festival of Wakayama Prefecture
Men of all ages – dressed in white with a thick rope tied around their waist – congregate at the shrine carrying wooden torches.
At Kamikura Shrine in Shingu city, every year on February 6, the Wakayama Oto...
Hokkaido Events: Lake Shikotsu Winter Ice Festival
If we could recommend just one winter festival in Hokkaido, it would definitely be the Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival, held in late January, through February. Once you reach Lake Shikotsu, you will be astonished by its breathtaking beauty. The lake's surface is...
Fukushima UFO Museum: Have You Seen a UFO Lately?
Fukushima's UFO Fureaikan, or UFO Museum, is a public facility that opened its doors in 1992. Thousands of UFO-related materials, such as classified CIA documents containing records of UFO research, are archived at the museum.
The museum is located halfway...
Exploring Amano-Iwato, the Celestial Cave, in Miyazaki Prefecture
Entering the cave at Amano Iwato Shrine
The story of Amano Iwato Shrine and its celestial cave begins with the tale of the divine couple Izanagi-no-kami and Izanami-no-kami who give birth to the Japanese islands and various other...
Trams Through the Blossoms: Discovering Tokyo on the Arakawa Line
Roses line this Tokyo tram line
At its peak, Tokyo had an extensive public tram network that covered 213 kilometers of routes and a private tram operation (Tokyu Tamagawa Line) with 18.4 kilometers (km) of routes. Only a...
Lanterns Over the Dark Sea Create Dreamlike Kiriko Festival on Noto Peninsula
A glow from festival lights fills the air with excitement. As the warm days of summer arrive, the Noto Peninsula begins celebrating the Kiriko Matsuri, which continues until the early days of autumn. Colorful hanging lantern floats called kiriko are...
Enjoy the Summer Cheer at the Multicoloured Nebuta Matsuri
'Tis the season to be jolly! In Japan’s case, that means the season of summer festivals. One of the most striking festivals in the whole of Japan is the Aomori Nebuta Festival. Kicking off in early August, it takes place in Aomori...
Umi No Hi Festival A Different Way to Experience Tokyo in the Summer
The Umi No Hi festival is celebrated by decorating the beach of Odaiba Bay with paper lanterns. The event name itself is interesting as it plays on the same sound of hi, which means both lantern, as in “Lantern of the Sea,” and day,...
