Autumn leaves at Sai no Mori Park, November 11th 2021. Sai no Mori Iruma Park Sai no Mori Iruma Park is located right beside the Japan Air Self Defense Force Iruma Air Base, famed for its annual air show. If you come by car and are using the official carRead 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 →
Kinchakuda Red Spider Lily Festival 2021, Hidaka, Saitama Japan, last updated August 27th 2021. The 2020 festival was cancelled on account of the Coronavirus outbreak. Moreover, on the 17th of September 2020 the city cut the spider lilies that had grown to prevent more people coming. On August 27th 2021 theyRead 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 →
Forest and Lake and Fireworks – the 2021 Metsa Fireworks in Hanno, Saitama, were scheduled for Saturday September 11th and Saturday October 16th. However, unfortunately (but understandably) they were subsequently cancelled due to the Coronavirus. The featured image is from the official Metsa website. All information hereafter for the 2020Read More →
Metsä Village – Metsa Village opened in Hanno City in Saitama Prefecture on November 9th 2018. Metsa Village is the free part of the larger “Metsa”, a Finnish leisure park around Miyazawa lake. The charged area is a Moomin theme park Moominvalley Park. The resort encompasses relaxation, activities, shopping andRead More →
Nolla Naguri is the latest Scandinavian themed leisure area to open in Hanno City in Saitama Prefecture. Hot on the heels of Metsa and Moominvalley park, Nolla Naguri is making full use of the Nordic vibes of the Naguri area of Hanno to promote yet another “Scandinavian living” type resortRead More →
Oh! (Fermentation, Health, Food Magic!!) is the name of the latest 10,000 m² food theme park coming to Hanno City in Saitama Prefecture. Originally supposed to open this spring, the date was pushed back to summer initially. It was further pushed back on account of the Coronavirus. In addition, onRead More →