Have you heard about the Peacock Shrine in Saitama City? Or maybe you know it as the Quiz Shrine? It is one of those shrines that is very famous among Saitama residents and further afield among the history buffs. But it is off the tourist trail. Maybe the locals preferRead More →
Iwatsuki Hisaizu “the peacock” Shrine is a very photogenic shrine and one of Saitama’s largest. Moreover, it is the only one I know of with resident peacocks! The Peacock Shrine! Initially the shrine was gifted three peacocks from a member of staff of the Imperial Palace. Over the years, theRead More →
You hear so much about “ajisai dera” (hydrangea temples) at this time of year in Japan. But what about hydrangea shrines? Hundreds of shrines throughout Saitama have some hydrangea on their grounds, but for some reason its all about the hydrangea temples! Well there is an actual reason – hydrangea’sRead More →
Seven hundred year old wisteria, a natural monument of Saitama Prefecture, in spring and hydrangea backdropped by Japan’s tallest pagoda in summer. At Aobaen in Saitama City, just North of Tokyo. In the most unlikely of places in Saitama City there are three 700 year old wisteria that are aRead More →
Chipmunks, Saitama City – a free chipmunk garden in an agricultural area in Saitama City. Chipmunks in Saitama City “Squirrel House” is the official English name of the free furry friends attraction in Saitama City. Contrary to what that conjures up, it is an outdoor attraction. Not large enough toRead More →
Do you recognize the featured image? This used to be the “iconic” cherry blossom and rapeseed photo for Saitama Prefecture. You couldn’t look up 埼玉県 and 桜と菜の花 (Saitama Prefecture and cherry blossoms with rapeseed) without pulling up pages and pages of this image. It was used in blog posts, brochures,Read More →
Omiya Hana no Oka, or Omiya Hananooka Norin Garden as it is called on Google Maps, is a small but beautiful park in Saitama City with flowers every month of the year. The featured photo was updated with a photo of the red salvia which are currently in bloom inRead More →
Saitama Tulips – Japan Travel ideas for April During this Coronavirus lock down period virtual travel is not the only booming trend, Japan travel planning is also on the increase. As people look forward to a life after Covid, they are thinking about all the places they want to travel.Read More →
New Year Races – It is very common in my homeland of Ireland, for people to attend horse races during the winter holidays. Around where I lived it is the Leopardstown Races on St Stephen’s Day. Here in Japan, Christmas is not a main event, but New Years is like ourRead More →
Hitachinaka Seaside resort is famed for its stunning kochia. Particularly in October when they are a flaming red. It is one of the famous autumn scenes of Japan. But you don’t have to go all the way to Northern Ibaraki to view this unusual bloom. We don’t have anything onRead More →