Information for the 2021 Fresa Yoshimi Illumination. In 2020 the event didn’t go ahead due to the Coronavirus. But in 2021 it is going ahead exactly because of the Coronavirus. As their website says, “we thought that it was necessary to have the light up event, in order to brightenRead More →
According to Yoshimi Town, not only will there be no Cosmos Festival in 2022, there will be no Cosmos Festival ever again. And they are not planning to even grow the cosmos this year or ever again. It is so sad, but who knows – maybe they will reconsider inRead More →
Hatchoko Park is the park around the eponymous Lake Hatcho in Yoshimi town in the Hiki District of Saitama. Lake Hatcho is a man-made lake in a natural woody hillside in the Prefectural Hiki Nature Park. Hatchoko Park In my personal opinion there is nothing exceptional about Hatchoko park. Don’tRead 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 →
Anrakuji Yoshimi Kannon is one of a few temples where I personally have felt a strong presence upon entering the grounds. Whether you believe in power spots or not, Yoshimi Kannon is set in such a magnificent setting that it will awe you with its beauty, if not its mysticRead More →
Herbal House, Shabby Chic Open House and Garden, Yoshimi, Saitama★500 yen entry fee which includes a herbal tea and small slice of cake Herbal House in Yoshimi has been described on Instagram as “relaxing”, “other worldly” and “like something from a Ghibli movie”. Google Maps reviews consolidates the high praiseRead More →
One of my friends famously said “If you’ve seen one temple, you’ve seen them all” and there is a truth in that. However, I am quite “into” temples (and shrines). And for me, the magnificence of a temple doesn’t always lie in its appearance, but rather in the history andRead More →
If you are looking for a park in Yoshimi, there isn’t a great choice unfortunately. There are a couple of scenic parks, such as the Hatchoko park and the Sakura Tsutsumi. However, in terms of parks where kids can play there’s really only Yoshimi Town Friendship Athletic Ground . However,Read More →
100 caves of Yoshimi, luminous moss and a world war II factory site: a country designated historical site home to a national natural treasure. And home to Koropokkuru. This post also contains information for the cherry blossoms in the area and the annual 100 Caves Sakura Matsuri (festival). Moreover, inRead More →
Ichigo no Sato is a “roadside station” in the prefecture of Saitama, North west of Tokyo. A roadside station, michi no eki in Japanese, is a type of rest and service area with a large parking area. Roadside stations are those that are on national routes. The equivalent on highwaysRead More →