Senbonzakura, the name of a famous song, is the Japanese for a thousand cherry blossoms. There are many spots or parks in Japan called Senbonzakura. In Saitama, one of the most stunning Senbonzakura locations is on Mt Torayama in Higashichichibu. Not to be confused with the Senbonzakura in Honjo, whichRead More →
Jougaya Embankment Cherry Blossom Bank (Jougaya Tsutsumi Sakura Dote in Japanese), Kitamoto City, Saitama Prefecture, Japan. Update March 2021: the cherry blossoms started to open on the Vernal Equinox, Saturday March 20th. Moreover, this year they have put up the festival lanterns and there are some food vans on site.Read More →
Cherry blossoms and Rapeseed in Yoshimi Town, Hiki District, Saitama. Quick update 2022: March 27th – some trees are at about 60%, but overall about 40%. The east side trees are further along than the west side and the South end is in fuller bloom than the Northern end! TheRead More →
Coronavirus Japan. An opinion piece on why Japan has so few Covid cases from a long term resident of Japan. I have been living in Japan for 20 years, permanently since 2006. I was here after the triple disaster of March 11th 2011, which gave insight into how Japan handlesRead More →
Arakawa Tarouemon and Honda Airport ~ In the midst of Covid-19 there are few places that feel safe. Indoors is definitely off the table. And this past week we’ve learned that the numbers of people in parks and cherry blossom locations also pose a risk. Even if those type ofRead More →
Green Tea Ceremony Saitama at the National Women Education’s Center of Japan – November 7th 2019. Green Tea Ceremony Saitama Youtube video of a monitor tour I took with other Hiki District Ambassadors in November of 2019. Featured first on the video is the Green Tea Ceremony we had theRead More →
Things to see in Kawagoe – stunning weeping cherry blossom tree and sakura at Nakain Temple in Kawagoe. Nakain is also renowned for its autumn leaves. Read More →