Capybara Onsen at Saitama Children's zoo aka Saitama Children's Animal Nature Park

The Capybara Onsen, aka hot spring, is one of the (thee?) most popular annual events at the Saitama Children’s Zoo. Indeed the love of the Capybara Onsen in general is a phenomenon hard to explain – you just have to go and see for yourself. I guarantee you, even theRead More →

Higashimatsuyama Fireworks

For the third year in a row, the Higashimatsuyama Fireworks have been cancelled on account of the pandemic. There will be no firework displays in Higashimatsuyama city in 2022. Official notification Higashimatsuyama Fireworks 2020 The 2020 Higashimatsuyama fireworks have been cancelled due to the Coronavirus Outbreak. The 2020 Higashimatsuyama summerRead More →

winter peony display at Higashimatsuyama Peony Garden in 2023

Information for the winter and spring peonies and peony festival at Botanen, Higashimatsuyama. Botanen Park in Higashimatsuyama is the largest peony garden in all of Japan. However, more than just a peony garden, it is also a small park with several things to offer. In recent years, the winter peonyRead More →

Pear picking Higashimatsuyama Saitama Japan 2020

Higashimatsuyama is famous for pear picking. There are about 20 tourist pear farms in Higashimatsuyama City, Saitama Prefecture. However, in 2022 only three of them will offer picking. I am quite surprised by this as even last year, 2021, when things were stricter, there were 8 places you could pick.Read More →