Saitama flowers – I’m writing up my “want to go” list for 2020 and reflecting on the year gone by. In 2019 lots of places were crossed off my want-to-go list, but a few I didn’t make it to will naturally be added to the 2020 list. I did soRead More →
Santa House, Santa Hills, Tochigi – December 2019 For the last few years I have tried unsuccessfully to book a coveted spot in the Santa House in Santa Hills, Tochigi Prefecture. I have been determined, since discovering it while researching Santastic Tochigi in 2015, to stay in the Santa HouseRead More →
Market Terrace Kawagoe – when the Market Terrace opened in rural Kawagoe a few years ago it was near impossible to get a seat unless you were prepared to wait hours. Which I wasn’t. But while the excellent value for money buffet restaurant retains a full house even on theRead More →
The Olympics torch relay event was initially scheduled for July 7th to 9th 2020. Due to the coronavirus and the delay in the Olympics the event was postponed. It has been rescheduled to take place between Tuesday July 6th to Thursday July 8th. Every prefecture participates in the torch relay.Read More →
Yoshida Folk House in Ogawa town, Saitama. Yoshida Folk house has a very different atmosphere to any of the other folk / period houses I have personally visited in the past. I expected something like Toyama Memorial Museum with several rooms and a stunning garden in traditional Japanese style. However,Read More →
Nowadays, there are several places you can try a washi workshop, even in Tokyo. But there are only three places in the whole of Japan with the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage recognition for their traditional handmade washi paper. In Shimane prefecture it is Sekishubun paper, in Gifu prefecture it isRead More →
Taiko with Ondekoza – Traditional Japanese taiko is invigorating to watch, but it is even more exhilarating to play. But training with the esteemed Ondekoza taiko drum troupe is an experience an a whole other level. The afternoon I spent watching and playing taiko with some of my peers andRead More →