Kinchakuda is synonymous with “manjushage” red spider lilies in Saitama. Furthermore, it is the most famous of the three red spider lily festivals of Saitama. Moreover, the carpet of spiny red flowers is one of the most famous autumn scenes in all of Japan. However, there are also several otherRead More →
To me, Kato Farm in Hidaka is a farm for the foodies, rather than the kiddies! It is a dairy farm that is quite small and, frankly, quite lackluster. But there is a reason their produce has won numerous awards over the years. They produce and sell premium milk andRead More →
In praise of Culture Cafe Grandir and 5½ other reasons to visit “Little America”, Johnson Town, in Saitama Prefecture. Johnson Town Johnson town, at the site of the former American military Johnson Air base, is a collection of stores, cafes & restaurants and private residences in Iruma City, Saitama Prefecture.Read More →
Moominvalley park winter festival 2021 – 2022 ~ Information for the annual winter event at Moominvalley Park in Metsa, Hanno City, Saitama Prefecture. Winter festival Moominvalley park reopened for business today, Friday December 10th, after a short temporary closure for renovations. The winter festival started today with the reopening. TheRead More →
Sai no Mori Iruma Park is a park that is always buzzing – in both senses of the word. For one, you have the constant hum of aircraft, a sound I personally love. Moreover, anytime I have ever visited it, no matter what time of year, the park is alwaysRead More →
Moominvalley Park Harvest 2021 in the Moomin theme park at Metsa, Hanno, Saitama. This year it is called “Very Berry Harvest”. The featured image above is from the official Moomin Japan website. Update November 2021: due to its popularity, the Harvest “Balloon Sky” event has been extended until November 28th.Read 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 →
Along the scenic route 299 from Hidaka to Yokoze (Chichibu), there is a very picturesque temple – Chonenji – that scintillates in June with stunning hydrangea. I had this one saved on my Google Maps with a note “hydrangea”. However, I have absolutely no recollection of making that note orRead More →
Kinchakuda in spring: cherry blossoms, rapeseed (canola flowers) and purple flowers Kinchakuda needs little introduction. If you don’t know it by name, you’ll know it as the most famous place for red spider lilies in Japan. However, what you might not know about Kinchakuda is that it is not justRead More →
Moomin Day fireworks and celebrations in 2022. In 2019, Metsa Village had a popular fireworks called Forest and Lake and Fireworks. It may have become an annual event had it not been for the pandemic. They did actually have a variation of the event in 2020, but they had toRead More →