Nagatoro spring leaves light up 2021 – In Japan they have a word for new leaves on a tree 新緑 “Shinryoku” which literally translates as ‘new green’. It is often translated into ‘fresh green’ in English. It is not a word we use in Ireland and it doesn’t really conveyRead More →
Takinoiri is a countryside area in Moroyama Town in the Iruma-gun of Saitama Prefecture. This remote rural scenic town is only about an hour from North West Tokyo by car. Unfortunately, by public transport it is a little trickier to get to and takes considerably longer. However, if you wantRead More →
Hydrangea in the Minano area of Chichibu in 2021. The cherry blossoms in Minoyama Park, Chichibu, are one of Chichibu’s most famous scenes. It is nicknamed the Mount Yoshino of the kanto plain due to the 8000 blossoms atop the mountain. However, Minoyama Park also has some stunning hydrangea. AndRead More →
A couple of years ago on my way from Aina Water park to Kawagoe Water park, I thought I’d attempt to beat the traffic and take a back road. On the way I passed this beautiful temple with a wooden gate. I was so intrigued I actually turned the carRead More →
Sunflowers in Niiza City, Saitama Prefecture in 2021. In the Niiza Athletic Park there is a community field called Honda no Mori. Each summer in August, thousands of sunflowers bloom. However, in 2021 they have reduced the number of sunflowers. They don’t specify how many or why, but one canRead More →
Did you know that Ogose has both an Hydrangea Road and hydrangea mountain!? Before you get too excited, unfortunately there is a bit of a tale of woe to divulge first…. Ogose Hydrangea The Ajisai-kaido (hydrangea road or hydrangea way) and Ajisaiyama (Mt Ajisai, ajisai is the Japanese for hydrangea)Read More →
To help prevent the spread of the Coronavirus, Nogoji will be closed to the public from May 29th to July 4th 2021. Please note, that there are several places throughout Saitama that have decided to close to the public this year. Always check with the official source for any lastRead More →
Information on Hanashobu, Ayame, Kakitsubata Iris flowers in Japan. In addition, information on when and where to see them in Japan. Plus bonus information for Saitama Prefecture. Iris are quite a popular and significant flower in Japan. Their bloom is said to mark the start of summer. Irises were traditionallyRead More →
Things to see in Kawagoe in Summer, pinwheels display at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine annually in June. Event information for the annual pinwheel display event at the Hikawa Shrine in Kawagoe.Read More →
Washi no Sato is a roadside station in Saitama’s last and only village, Higashichichibu. Moreover, it is one of the most famous places for traditional washi paper making, a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. You can try your hand at the 1300 year old tradition at this quaint rest area inRead More →