This is cherry blossom festival in Shiki, or as they call it a Sakura Festa, is relatively new. They say it it is the 6th annual Shiki Cherry Blossom Festival, but considering the 3rd, 4th and 5th were cancelled, it really is only the third! Moreover, since the festival wasRead More →
Hodoji in Shiki City will hold their third Hodoji Market on the Emperor’s birthday, Thursday February 23rd 2023. Hodoji or Hodo Temple (also spelt Houdoji) is a popular place for tree blossoms in Shiki City. Both the plum blossoms and the cherry blossoms are well known at the temple. ThisRead More →
For the dolls festival the former Murayama Kaisaido in Shiki City have a 1000 hanging hina doll decorations on display. In addition, they will also have traditional shishimai lion dance performances six times during the period of the event. There are also workshops that teach how to make the beautifulRead More →
Nabe Grand Prix – Before the pandemic, there was a nabe festival every January in Wako City. Nabe is a type of hotpot. It is a traditional winter dish popular in many households around Japan. This January, 2023, a version of the nabe festival is coming back for the first timeRead More →
Information for the annual Asaka Winter Light Terrace illumination. Asaka Illumination The “Asaka Winter Light Terrace” is centered around “Symbol Road” by Asaka Central Park and near Asaka City Library. In addition, there is also illumination at Asaka and Kita Asaka stations. This year they are using 181,000 bulbs, moreRead More →
Heirinji in Niiza City, right by Kiyose in Tokyo, is one of thee most special places for autumn leaf viewing in Saitama Prefecture. More than being just beautiful, the temple has a rich and fascinating history. I have waited a long time to share information about the temple, so IRead More →
The Wako Citizens’ Festival is an autumn festival, held annually in November. The main festival is normally on for two days around the middle of November, with smaller events in the lead up to it, but in 2022 there will be just one main day. There will, however, be smallerRead More →
A Halloween event with a Hot Air Balloon Ride! There are so many great Halloween events on this year in Saitama and the Kanto Plain. I think the selection is even better than pre pandemic. This is the second Halloween event in Shiki City this Autumn. The first was aRead More →
The Shiki Halloween Fair, or Halloween ennichi ハロウィン縁日 in Japanese, is scheduled to take place at Pair Mall for the first time in three years. Pair Mall is in Shiki City, close to Yanasegawa Station. This is an area known for its beautiful cherry blossoms in spring, which also featureRead More →
Just a quick post about the Asaka Summer Festival that’s on this weekend. I’m way behind this week! I still haven’t updated the “This Weekend in Saitama” web story (updated now!) But in preparation for that, I was double checking what is on this weekend. Its actually a fairly quietRead More →