Approximately 12 million cosmos grow on the Arakawa riverbed near “Cosmos Arena Fukiage” in Konosu annually in autumn. During the period of the bloom there is usually a two day cosmos festival. However, in 2020 the festival was cancelled due to the pandemic. On September 22nd 2021 the Konosu TourismRead More →
Begonia are called “Shukaido” in Japanese, ‘a flower that blooms in Autumn’. As such they are a harbinger of Autumn. I went to visit my favorite spot for begonia on September 1st, 2021, to welcome Autumn. I was on my break from blogging at the time (haha) so I didn’tRead More →
I am sorry to say that after 13 rewarding years, its time to put Insaitama.com to bed. That is, I will not be renewing my self hosting website contract in September. I have learned so much about blogging, writing, search engine optimization and even some technical skills over the 13Read More →
A new gelateria “Japan Gelateria Asanoha”opened in Kawajima town on Friday July 30th. The gelateria is just one of four businesses in what they have called “Ebisu 1st Place”, an initiative by the Soh Corporation. The other three are a barbecue service, a fish restaurant “Jiro Charcoal Grill” and aRead More →
Information for the State of Emergency in Saitama Prefecture, Summer 2021. On July 29th 2021 it was announced that a State of Emergency (SOE) will begin on Monday August 2nd in Saitama, Kanagawa and Chiba. In addition, the current State of Emergencies in Tokyo and Okinawa will be extended toRead More →
Washinomiya Shrine (previously Washimiya Shrine) is known as the oldest shrine in the Kanto region. It is located in Kuki City, Saitama Prefecture, just North of Tokyo. There is a lot a debate over the age of the shrine. Some put it at 1900 years old, which actually wouldn’t makeRead More →
Have you heard about the Peacock Shrine in Saitama City? Or maybe you know it as the Quiz Shrine? It is one of those shrines that is very famous among Saitama residents and further afield among the history buffs. But it is off the tourist trail. Maybe the locals preferRead More →
Koma Jinja aka Koma Shrine, Hidaka, Saitama Prefecture Many years ago my husband and I visited a shrine on the way home from Chichibu. I didn’t think too much of it to be honest. The thatched roof former residence – a nationally designated Important Cultural property – out the backRead More →
With summer holidays around the corner, it has me thinking about places to bring the kids. In a “normal” year we visit Ireland for the whole of summer. However, due to the pandemic, we have been confined to Japan the last two years. As we are avoiding indoors at allRead More →
‘Tapioca and Tart’ at Layer cafe, located along the Arakawa riverbed on the grounds of a Karinto factory in Fukaya. Layer Cafe Layer cafe opened on the grounds of Asahi Karinto’s Hanazono factory in April 2020. Karinto is a type of sweet deep fried traditional Japanese snack food. The frontRead More →