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 →
Primroses Saitama – During mid April – generally the 3rd Saturday and Sunday of April – the city of Saitama host a number of Japanese primrose “Sakurasou” festivals. However, in 2020 and 2021 things are different on account of the Coronavirus. There will only be one event at the southRead 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 →
Park in Saitama City with flowers every month of the year. The featured photo was updated with a photo taken on March 23rd 2021. As you can see, the cherry blossoms are currently nearing full bloom. You can see cherry blossoms with tulips and other flowers at this park. OmiyaRead More →
Saitama Wabi Sabi Festival – Wabi Sabi is usually a 2 day cultural festival held in Omiya park. However, in 2020, on account of the Coronavirus outbreak it will be a one day event held online. As such, it will be quite different to normal, with just online performances toRead More →
Keyaki Hiroba Illumination – Saitama Shintoshin’s Keyaki Hiroba’s annual winter illumination will start on November 7th 2020 and will run until Valentine’s Day 2021. Important update: they have suspended the event on account of the State of Emergency. The State of Emergency ends on February 8th, whether the illumination willRead More →
The 2020 Taishou period festival in Urawa has been cancelled on account of the Coronavirus outbreak. 2019 information Taishou (or Taisho) period festival in Saitama City, Saitama Prefecture, on Sunday October 13th from 10 am to 6 pm. The Taishou period was between 1912 and 1926. Yono in Urawa WardRead More →
The Keyaki Autumn Beer Festival has been cancelled in 2020 on account of the Coronavirus outbreak. The spring festival was initially postponed and then cancelled too. Hopefully, by 2021 we’ll be able to enjoy this keenly awaited bi-annual event. 2019 Information. For those that live in the area this festivalRead More →