Golden Week was practically a non event in 2021. As we were approaching the Olympics, the Japanese Government were being particularly cautious. Thus, very few events were on. In 2022, things still aren’t back to normal, but there are more events on than last year. But, unfortunately, in order toRead More →
Komonoyasan means accessory shop. But this little gem along the Toki River is actually an outdoor cafe, rich in character and charm. Furthermore, it is a particularly photogenic cafe; in a scenic natural setting with dozens of photo props. Currently, you can get a front row seat to the yaezakuraRead More →
Rose Festival Yono 2022. It looks like the Yono Rose Festival will go ahead in 2022 after a three year hiatus due to the pandemic. Yono Park, where the festival is held, made quite a name for itself when they cut all the beautiful roses in the spring of 2020Read More →
An open garden of moss phlox in Tokigawa in spring and a 1200 year old gingko in Autumn… Stumbling upon a beautiful private garden of pink, white and purple moss phlox was one of the highlights of spring 2022. I absolutely adore moss phlox. Long before I even came toRead More →
The Kazo Citizen’s Peace (Heiwa) Festival is held on May 3rd annually. May 3rd is a national public holiday that falls during Golden Week. The festival is a type of spring festival, but the highlight is the jumbo carp streamer. It is the world’s longest carp shaped windsock. The carpRead More →
Primroses Saitama. During April, generally the 3rd Saturday and Sunday of April, the city of Saitama host a number of Japanese primrose “Sakurasou” festivals. However, in 2020 and 2021 things were quite different on account of the pandemic. There was just one “event”, that was really just a PR eventRead More →
The 39th annual Grand Bonsai Festival is currently scheduled to take place in 2022, for the first time in three years. The festival was first postponed, then ultimately cancelled in 2020. It was also cancelled in 2021. However, this year they are planning to bring back Saitama’s beloved Grand BonsaiRead More →
Information for Saitama’s largest rose garden at Ina Memorial Park and biannual rose festivals. The spring rose festival in Ina surprisingly went ahead in 2021 despite a stay at home directive. It was one of the few Rose festivals on in 2021. So no surprises that the festival will takeRead More →
A village of Peach Blossoms “Hanamomo no Sato” nicknamed an earthly paradise. In the Ouchizawa area of Higashichichibu, Saitama Prefecture. An Earthly Paradise The village of peach blossoms Ouchizawa Hanamono no Sato is one of Saitama’s most stunning spring scenes. Rightly nicknamed as “an earthly paradise” the location is remarkablyRead More →
The Wakaizumi area of Honjo has three “Wakaizumi” parks; Wakaizumi Dai Ichi, Dai Ni and Wakaizumi sports park. Dai Ichi and Dai Ni are right beside each other, both quite small independently, but together they make a nice medium sized park. The Wakaizumi Park is a lovely park for childrenRead More →