Washinomiya Shrine (previously Washimiya Shrine) is known as the oldest shrine in the Kanto region. It is located in Kuki City, Saitama Prefecture, just North of Tokyo. There is a lot a debate over the age of the shrine. Some put it at 1900 years old, which actually wouldn’t makeRead More →
The 2021 Kuki Lantern Festival will be very different than any year to date. For one, the first day of the festival – July 12th – is only a religious event. That is, no floats or festival stalls. Furthermore, both dates are strictly for residents of the precincts (locals) only.Read More →
Please note that in 2021 the July 12th date is only for worshippers of the precinct. That is, they will only have a religious ceremony for locals. There will be NO festival floats or festival stalls of any kind. The July 18th date is going ahead, but it is strictlyRead More →
There are several different lavender fields in Kuki City, mostly within the vicinity of City Hall Shobu Branch. Between them they grow three different type of lavender: Hidcote (English lavender), Lavandula Grosso (French lavender) and Lavandula stoechas (Spanish lavender). The site at Kuki City Hall, known as Lavender Street, growsRead More →
Blue Festival Kuki – It’s not missing an “s” and its nothing to do with music; the blue festival in Kuki is in celebration of blue (or blue-ish!) flowers that bloom at this time of year. It amalgamates two long running flower festivals – the Iris festival and the LavenderRead More →
Renge Kuki City Renge is, from my understanding, a type of lotus flower that grows in the grass rather than a marsh. Kuki City is famous for its renge. It blooms from around the end of the first week of April until early May. It is a delicate purple flower.Read More →
Saitama’s best Kawazu zakura spot? Its funny, all these years I thought Saitama didn’t really have a particularly head turning kawazu zakura spot. And then last year, I realized that we do, its just not been marketed very well. I have dozens of books about Saitama – not one hasRead More →
The main weekend of the Satte Summer Festival is usually the 2nd weekend in July. The 2020 event has been cancelled due to the Coronavirus outbreak. At this moment in time, May 2020, the Satte Prefectural Government has not cancelled or announced changes to this event. Due to the currentRead More →
Halloween Kuki The Halloween parade in Mallage Shobu shopping mall in Kuki requires pre-registration. And as it is a very popular event they tend to close the entry application soon after it opens as they reach maximum numbers very quickly. So if you would like to participate in the 2019Read More →
Santa Washinomiya Ario in Kuki City Washinomiya Ario in Kuki city have taken a different angle on the typical Santa meet and greet with this lively and unusual Santa Claus. He will be visiting the mall on Saturday December 8th from 1 pm and again at 3 pm. Apart fromRead More →