The crying dam and mannequin pis, Akasakazawa Dam, in the woods of the Kosugi area of Ogose hiking Town, Saitama Prefecture. The crying dam The Akasakazawa Dam is a dam of the Akasaka river, a tributary of the larger Mugihara river. It is nicknamed (and better known as) the cryingRead More →
Arakawa Tarouemon and Honda Airport ~ In the midst of Covid-19 there are few places that feel safe. Indoors is definitely off the table. And this past week we’ve learned that the numbers of people in parks and cherry blossom locations also pose a risk. Even if those type ofRead More →
Green Tea Ceremony Saitama at the National Women Education’s Center of Japan – November 7th 2019. Green Tea Ceremony Saitama Youtube video of a monitor tour I took with other Hiki District Ambassadors in November of 2019. Featured first on the video is the Green Tea Ceremony we had theRead 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 →
Yoshida Folk House in Ogawa town, Saitama. Yoshida Folk house has a very different atmosphere to any of the other folk / period houses I have personally visited in the past. I expected something like Toyama Memorial Museum with several rooms and a stunning garden in traditional Japanese style. However,Read More →
Taiko with Ondekoza – Traditional Japanese taiko is invigorating to watch, but it is even more exhilarating to play. But training with the esteemed Ondekoza taiko drum troupe is an experience an a whole other level. The afternoon I spent watching and playing taiko with some of my peers andRead More →
Eat, learn, experience, play and shop at the innovative (Fueki Shoyu) Kinbue Soy Sauce Park, Kawajima Town, Saitama The outstanding Kinbue Soy Sauce Park will open on Saturday, November 16th 2019. The park from the legendary Fueki Shoyu creates an interactive recreational space for visitors where you can eat, learn,Read More →
If you are looking for something unique to Japan to enjoy this November, check out the Kitamoto Neputa Festival in Kitamoto City, Saitama Prefecture, near Tokyo. However, unfortunately, Kitamoto City will not host this festival during the pandemic and will not be on between 2020 and 2022. Kitamoto Neputa FestivalRead More →
“Funmock; an athletic in the sky“ Panza is the name of the company, Miyazawako the name of the branch, Funmock is the name of the play area and Metsa Village (Hanno) is where it is located! Panza Project Adventure Japan Panza is part of a larger collaborative called Project AdventureRead More →
Every September in the City of Kazo there is a fire walking ceremony. It is called Shūki taisai saitō goma hiwatari-shiki in Japanese; 柴燈護摩火渡り式. “Hiwatari” literally means fire crossing and that’s exactly what you do at this ceremony. The ceremony is steeped in ritual and history and has been practisedRead More →