Dezome Shiki locations in Saitama Prefecture in a usual year. Unfortunately, in 2022 just as in 2021, most of the dezome shiki have been cancelled on account of the Coronavirus. But there are a couple of options, outlined below. Happy New year! The first day of 2020, filled with anticipationRead More →
The Japanese New Year tradition of Hatsumode… Hatsumode is the first visit of the year to a shrine or a temple, an important and much practiced tradition of new year celebrations in Japan. There are many shrines and also temples all around Saitama where you can practise Hatsumode. Technically youRead More →
New Year Countdown Events – New Year’s has become a popular time for overseas visitors to visit Japan and yet there is very little New Year count down event information available in English online. Over the last couple of years I have tried to bridge that gap by sharing informationRead More →
Naritasan Kawagoe Betsuin Hongyoin Temple is a branch of the Naritasan Shinsoji Buddhist Temple of Narita, Chiba. It has a very interesting, but complex history with many layers of detail. The founder Ishikawa Tomegoro, with the financial backing of wealthy locals, restored what was previously the ruined Hongyoin Temple toRead More →
January is one of my favourite months in Japan. It is one of the driest months of the year and probably the sunniest in Winter. Between the weather and the festive atmosphere – New Year’s is as big in Japan as Christmas is in Ireland – Japan is a greatRead More →
Lucky bags Japan – Lucky bags are a very popular New Year’s tradition. I first happened upon lucky bags quite by accident when I was a student here. It was early in the New Year and myself and my friends were shopping in Takasaki station. They had a sealed HelloRead More →