Tag: spring
A Sea of Wisteria Reflected in the Rice Fields Near Odate City
25 years ago, a local farmer planted a wisteria garden as a hobby. Now with around 80 wisteria trees, its blossoms reflect in the newly planted rice field, to the delight of locals and visitors alike.
If...
Watch the Forest Fireflies of Ishigaki Declare Their Summer Love
Every year in Japan, as the spring season fades and the temperature starts to rise, something magical happens. The conditions have to be almost perfect, the stage set and the mood just right. Then, the fireflies light up the night to find...
Kenrokuen Garden: A Stroll for All Seasons
One simply cannot go to Kanazawa without visiting Kenrokuen Garden. Besides being among the top things to do in Kanazawa, Kenrokuen is one of the best gardens in all of Japan. What makes this garden so special? According to ancient Chinese gardening principles,...
Renewal on Miyajima: Tokyo to Okinawa Day 8
The island of Miyajima, also known as Itsukushima, is a short trip away from Hiroshima. Throughout much of its history the island was considered a sacred space, so pilgrims were unable to mourn, give birth, or even die on the island. Moving...
Hiroshima’s Many-Layered History: Tokyo to Okinawa Day 7
Amongst the different regional varieties of the savory pancake-like concoction known as okonomiyaki, connoisseurs frequently tout Hiroshima’s version as one of the best. In other regions, the cabbage, batter, vegetables and meat that form okonomiyaki get mixed together prior to cooking. In...
Shimanami Kaido – Island Wave Sea Highway: Tokyo to Okinawa Day 6
I’ve never been much of a bicycle rider, but the course along the Shimanami Kaido (Island Wave Sea Highway) makes me wish I was. Every year in late fall, the highway that connects Shikoku to the mainland floods with cyclists. Participants travel...
Springtime in Hokkaido’s Biei–Furano
Hokkaido is Japan’s northernmost island and sidles the frosty southeastern part of Russia. It is widely known for the amazing powder snow at Niseko, the Sapporo Ice Sculpture Festival and the seafood fished from the ice-cold winter waters. While Hokkaido’s winter is long and...
