JAXA Earth Observation Center is located in Hatoyama Town in the Hiki District of Saitama Prefecture. The town is probably the most famous place in Hatoyama, apart from the golf courses! To be upfront: my kids were too young the time we visited, so we ended up spending less thanRead More →
Cherry Blossoms Shingashi River – Kawagoe is just 31 minutes from Ikebukuro, Tokyo, on the Tobu Tojo line (jump to access from Tokyo). It is a popular tourist town. One of Kawagoe’s most spectacular spots to enjoy “sakura” is out the back of Hikawa shrine, where the cherry blossoms line the ShingashiRead More →
The Baseball Shrine – Yakyū Inari Shrine is located in Higashimatsuyama city in Saitama. It is just 1 hour and 10 minutes from Ikebukuro on the Tobu Tojo line. It is one of many shrines to the God Inari. However, what makes it special is that its Chinese characters (“Yakyu”Read More →
Ukishima Inari Shrine is a little shrine you pass on the walking route from Miyoshino Shrine and Kitain Temple. It is not particularly well known or adorned, but it has some beautiful gingko (maidenhair) trees. It also has a (small) play area. Kawagoe Kita-in Temple’s autumn leaves are the most famousRead More →
Every year on August 7th Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine have a Tanabata Festival. The Tanabata Festival at the shrine is not that well known. However, it falls during the wind chimes display event, which has created quite a name for itself. Wind Chimes During July and August, Hikawa Shrine displays hundredsRead More →
Miyoshino Shrine, Kawagoe 三芳野神社、川越- 日本語 Miyoshino Shrine The Miyoshino shrine features in a famed traditional song (Warabe uta) that is known by Japanese people all over Japan. The song name is “Tooryanse”. As such, the shrine is much beloved by many, particularly the proud locals. A monument was erected toRead More →
I went to Hikawa Jinja in Kawagoe today, in the hope of enjoying some vibrant Autumn Leaves. I didn’t time it very well; I was too early with the autumn blooms still nowhere in sight. Also, the higanbana that also in Autumn on the Shingashi river where gone by then.Read More →