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 in the New Year in Japan. There are many shrines and also temples all around Saitama where you can practise Hatsumode. It doesn’tRead More →
The event is officially called “How to enjoy a Scandinavian Christmas”, but essentially this event is a Christmas market in the beautiful Honjo Brick Warehouse. Scandinavian Christmas Honjo Brick Warehouse is an event space in an old, renovated warehouse, much like a mini version of the famous redbrick warehouse inRead More →
New Year Event Dezome Kumagaya – One of the many New Year traditions in Japan. Dezome Shiki has been practised since the Edo period. It involves a ceremony of firefighters with an acrobatic show, put on to simultaneously entertain the audience and raise safety awareness. It is one of myRead More →
Seien Park illumination in Fukaya is a relatively new addition to “In Saitama”. I’m not sure when the very first display was, but the event has been around for at least four years. It started grabbing attention in 2019 and has proved to be a very popular and photogenic illuminationRead More →
For years I have posted about the Premium Outlets Santa each November, secretly wishing that we had a Premium Outlets of our own in Saitama Prefecture! BUT NOW WE DO – FINALLY! Perhaps a Christmas Wish come true!? The Fukaya-Hanazono Premium Outlets opened in Saitama Prefecture on October 20th 2022,Read More →
Information for “Fukaya Halloween” with a popular tsume-hodai event at Roadside Station Okabe. All eyes are on Fukaya at the moment, with the opening of the much anticipated Fukaya Hanazono Premium outlets this month. But while Fukaya Hanazono Premium Outlets is trending online, the locals are looking to a moreRead More →
For the first time in three years: the Honjo Festival, ‘the best float festival on the Nakasendo’. The Honjo Festival is one of two festivals that take place in Honjo City in early November. The Kodama Autumn Festival takes place on the Culture Day public holiday, November 3rd, only. ButRead More →
The Kodama Autumn Festival is a traditional festival float festival that takes places on Culture Day annually. A highlight of the festival is the parade of sacred horses. Culture day is on November 3rd and is a public holiday in Japan. This festival centers around Hachiman Shrine. Kodama Autumn FestivalRead More →
Last year, 2021, for the first time ever, the Go Go Halloween event was on at Marigold Hill. Due to the pandemic they hosted it there, so it would be completely outdoors. However, this year the event will be back at its real home: at Hanipon Plaza and the GinzaRead More →
Cosmos and fireworks, say no more! Cosmos Fireworks The former Okabe town, which is now part of Fukaya City, is renowned for its cosmos fireworks. Thankfully both the fireworks and the festival will be back in 2022 for the first time in three years. Moreover, apart from being able toRead More →