Konosu dolls' festival

Information for, and an account of, visiting Japan’s largest Dolls festival display at the Konosu Surprising Dolls Festival or Konosu Bikkuri Hina Matsuri in Japanese. 鴻巣びっくりひな祭り。 Japan’s largest dolls festival pyramid display “Konosu Doll Pyramid” in Konosu, Saitama Prefecture, is just a 50 minute train ride from Ueno station inRead More →

setsubun saitama

Setsubun Saitama- Setsubun is a religious ceremony practiced every year on February 3rd. Historically setsubun, which literally means seasonal division, was a four day period marking the changing of the seasons. Risshun is, with rare exceptions, on February 4th. Risshun is the first day of spring and historically the startRead More →

Hanyu mascot setsubun

Hanyu, Mascot Setsubun – a setsubun celebration where mascots throw the beans instead of demons or honored guests. Unfortunately, this event has been cancelled. Mascot Setsubun I love finding events like this setsubun with a twist in Hanyu. In most setsubun bean throwing ceremonies around Japan, either honored guests andRead More →

Hodosan shrine

Hodosan shrine, one of my top ten favorite shrines of all time, is one of those rare shrines that is well worth going out of your way to visit. Apart from its intriguing 1900 year history, the beauty and detail of the shrine and the grounds will captivate you inRead More →