Heirinji in Niiza City, right by Kiyose in Tokyo, is one of thee most special places for autumn leaf viewing in Saitama Prefecture. More than being just beautiful, the temple has a rich and fascinating history. I have waited a long time to share information about the temple, so IRead More →
Ko (Kou / Kō) Shrine, 鴻神社, is the principal shrine of Konosu City. The Kanji is 鴻, “otori”, which is from konotori, which means oriental stork. The shrine is home to the konotori legend from which Konosu city gets its name. Konosu is also written with the same kanji 鴻Read More →
There is a small but pretty kaede (maple) garden in the Takanokura Fureai Nature Park. The Takanokura Fureai nature park is located in Hatoyama Town in the Hiki District of Saitama, where nature is abundant. They have recently made improvements to the park, but to be quite frank I don’tRead More →
For the first time in three years – Kawagoe Yabusame. I am no expert on yabusame, by any means. But as far as I am aware the yabusame in Moroyama is the most famous in Saitama Prefecture and this one in Kawagoe is small and lesser known. Even though IRead More →
The Chichibu Kegon Falls is a popular spot with professional and amateur photographers in Autumn. This is because the waterfall is framed by maple leaves. Around mid November the leaves change to tones of orange and red. Chichibu Kegon Falls Recognize the name Kegon Falls? There is a very famousRead More →
Autumn Leaves Night, The Story of the Forest and Lights Chapter 2 is the official name of the middle of three light up events at Shinrin park every year. It follows the Halloween Night in the Forest illumination, which finished up on Sunday, October 30th 2022. Shinrin Park, also calledRead More →
Seien Park illumination in Fukaya is a relatively new addition to “In Saitama”. I’m not sure when the very first display was, but the event has been around for at least four years. It started grabbing attention in 2019 and has proved to be a very popular and photogenic illuminationRead More →
Wabunka Festa 2022 – a festival of Japanese culture in Aeon Laketown this Autumn. To be honest, although there is currently very information online about this event, it sounds suspiciously like Wabi Sabi! Wabi Sabi was a two day culture festival that took place in Omiya park annually (even duringRead More →
The first ever Kawaguchi fireworks took place in May 2019. However, in 2020 they decided to hold the fireworks in Autumn. It was actually nothing to do with the pandemic at the time that they decided to change the date, but actually due to the Olympics and due to damageRead More →
For years I have posted about the Premium Outlets Santa each November, secretly wishing that we had a Premium Outlets of our own in Saitama Prefecture! BUT NOW WE DO – FINALLY! Perhaps a Christmas Wish come true!? The Fukaya-Hanazono Premium Outlets opened in Saitama Prefecture on October 20th 2022,Read More →