On a hunch yesterday, I decided to visit my five favorite places for “Nanja Monja” trees in Konosu. It would normally be a bit too early to see them in full bloom, but my instincts paid off, because the Nanja Monja are already in prime condition at four of theRead More →
Seibuen Amusement Park is hosting a special Licca-chan–themed event where the entire park becomes filled with retro‑cute Licca style. Licca-chan, a popular dress up doll since 1967, is to put it simply, is the Japanese equivalent of the Barbie doll! During the period of the Seibuen Licca-chan event, a LiccaRead More →
Sakitama Fire Festival – The Sakitama Ancient Burial Mounds are in Gyoda city. The Burial Mounds are part of what is called the Sakitama Kofun Cluster, a nationally designated historical site. Saitama prefecture “Saitama” actually gets its name from these regions: Sakitama being the old version of Saitama! There isRead More →
The Nagatoro green leaves light up is scheduled to start on May 1st this year. Last year it was also scheduled to start on May 1st, but they brought the date forward to April 26th. This year it looks like they will stick with a May 1st start. In Nagatoro,Read More →
Information for the cute Koinobori Carp Streamers Display on the Shingashi River and the annual boat ride under the carp streamers this year. The small, but cute display is located over the Shingashi River in Iroha water park (Iroha Shinsui Park) in Shiki City, Saitama Prefecture. There are about 80Read More →
This post is mainly about the annual Daruma Market, but you will also find information for the temple’s main ‘hanamatsuri’ festival, on May 5th annually, in the paragraph before “information”. Original post If you missed the Daruma Market in Kawagoe, here is another chance to buy a Daruma for thisRead More →
A seasonal exhibition, for boys day known as Tango no Sekku at the Yashio City Museum and connected old house in Yashio City, Saitama Prefecture. Impressive “koinobori” (carp streamers) as well as May dolls and hanging decorations are displayed inside the building, and in an old farmhouse, introducing the originsRead More →
Two tea festivals in the first week of May annually: the 88 Nights First tea festival AND the Iruma Tea Festival. The 88 Nights First Tea festival marks the start of the new tea period. Eighty eight 88 nights is translated from the Japanese Hachi Ju Hachi Ya. It meansRead More →
The Kazo Citizen’s Peace (Heiwa) Festival is held on May 3rd annually. May 3rd is a national public holiday that falls during Golden Week. The festival is a type of spring festival, but the highlight is the jumbo carp streamer. It is the world’s longest carp shaped windsock. The carpRead More →
The International Fair at the Saitama City Flower and Greenery festival is on each year for two days during Golden Week. It is celebrated on May 3rd and 4th annually at Shimin no Mori where there is a free chipmunk zoo. International Friendship Fair The International Friendship fair is justRead More →