Ose Shishimai, or The Lion Dance of Ose, is on in 2023 in Yashio City for the first time in four years. The festival is also sometimes called “Doronko Shishimai”, or muddy lion, because it frequently rains on the days of this small, local religious festival! The Lion Dance ofRead More →
Ryusenji / Ryusen Temple is the undisputed home of papercut ‘Goshuin’. A ‘Goshuin’ is a stamp or seal that you can receive for a fee at temples and shrines in Japan. What makes Ryusen-ji’s so special is that they are intricately cut from paper, like a stencil. Ryusenji was theRead More →
In the Western area of Nishi Ward, aka the hydrangea town, Saitama City there are dozens of hydrangea spots. According to this article I found tonight the residents of Nishi Ward elected the hydrangea as the ward flower in 2011. Reportedly since then they have promoting hydrangea in the ward.Read More →
Nogoji is Saitama’s most famous hydrangea (ajisai in Japanese) temple. The temple grounds are actually quite mall, but even without the hydrangea in bloom they are quite picturesque. But the temple grounds really come to life in June. The shrine was completely off limits each June between 2020 and 2022,Read More →
The latest display at Aobaen in Saitama City is a colorful corridor of Japanese fans, ‘uchiwa’. Since around August 2022, Aobaen Cemetery in Saitama City, have a permanent wooden trellis in front of their three tiered pagoda. Each month they create a tunnel of color with something different! They haveRead More →
You’ve probably seen / heard by now that the wisteria was incredibly early this year. Reportedly, they are already starting to wilt in some places. But never fear, there is still a couple of places you can see wisteria in Saitama Prefecture. Including an ancient wisteria that is one ofRead More →
The Kazo City Kisai Wisteria Festival needs little introduction to Saitama-jin, as it celebrates the 450 year old wisteria of Tamashiki Shrine. Elements of the festival were on in both 2022 and 2021, but this is the first time in four years the festival is on properly. The events theRead More →
Konosu Park is located beside Shouganji¹ temple, which is a famous doll temple. The temple is renowned for its unique “Doll Memorial Service”. Konosu Park is relatively small, but during the cherry blossom season it attracts hundreds of visitors for its mature cherry blossoms. The scene of the temple gatesRead More →
Before the pandemic, the 1300 year old Koma Shrine had two different cherry blossom festivals each year. One is a blessing for all the cherry blossoms in the precinct. It also celebrates the 300 year old Higanzakura and 400 year old weeping cherries on the grounds. It is normally heldRead More →
Hodoji in Shiki City will hold their third Hodoji Market on the Emperor’s birthday, Thursday February 23rd 2023. Hodoji or Hodo Temple (also spelt Houdoji) is a popular place for tree blossoms in Shiki City. Both the plum blossoms and the cherry blossoms are well known at the temple. ThisRead More →