Category : Culture
New Years Day 2013
Kiyomizudera crowded on New Years Day today....
City Contrasts
In a modern city it is always interesting to see how the older style architecture and culture is incorporated into new plans. Looking at this...
Kyoto Tanabata Festival
There is a special Kyoto Tanabata festival being held on the Horikawa and Kamogawa rivers. I went for an evening walk at the Horikawa river...
Gion Matsuri
One of the most important festivals of the year, and one that takes over the city of Kyoto for almost a month as the town...
Summer dining on Kamogawa
Summer along the Kamogawa river in Kyoto is always busy. The Gion festival with its various preparations takes place during the rainy season and tourist...
Aoi Matsuri
The Aoi Matsuri is one of the three main festivals held in Kyoto each year in addition to the Festival of the Ages (Jidai Matsuri)...
Kyoto Imperial Palace
A leisurely walk past the Kyoto Imperial Palace (京都御所) inside the Kyoto Gyoen....
New iPad3? Get a Kimono iPad Case
I visited Kyoto recently and dropped in on Kyokaori Company where they have been very creative and turned some kimono obi’s into brilliantly colorful and...
Hoshi Matsuri
Today was the annual Hoshi Matsuri at the Agon Shu Temple in Kyoto. I was surprised to see it being broadcast on so many different...
Kisaragi and Setsubun
The month of February used to be called Kisaragi in Japan. February was the second month of winter under the lunar calendar, which Japan used...
Temple Colors
It is very cold in Japan at the moment with snow falling heavily in many parts of the country. Back in summer when I visited...
Sakamoto Ryoma
I watched the NHK drama series, Ryomaden 龍馬伝, in 2010 and also the Jin drama on TBS last year, which both focused on the story...
New Year Day 2012
It is always quiet in Tokyo on New Year Day. Here is a scene in Shibuya with a lot less people than normal. It’s really...
Hinamatsuri, Doll Festival
Hina Matsuri, Girls Days is coming up soon (March 3) and the displays are out in the department store encouraging parents or grandparents to buy....
Happy New Year 2011
Happy New Year to everyone. I had a quiet night for New Years Eve, watching Kouhaku on the TV and then a quick walk in...
Hina Matsuri Cake
Saw this delicious looking Hina Matsuri cake for sale at Buzzsearch Shinagawa. The price was Yen 1,680. What a wonderful day to celebrate the upcoming...
Doll Festival
I was at Ryogoku Station, where the Sumo is held in Tokyo, to visit the offices of a friendly bear company yesterday, and on the...
Japan Photo Videos
Recently, I have been looking at a way I can show more of photos of Japan as videos for those people who follow me on...
Showa Drawings
Came across these wonderful drawings in a small museum in Yokohama that depicted the Showa era of Japan, a time when people were struggling to...
Tokyo Station Kimono
There are some great shops at Tokyo Station. I showed you some photos from a few of the stores on Character Street before. There are...
Sorry Day, Gomenne
The Japan Anniversary Association has recently designated December 10th as “Sorry Day” or Gomenne no hi (ごめんねの日). It is not a National holiday. The Anniversary...
Japan Christmas Bear
Spotted this Christmas Bear on the train heading towards Makuhari the other day. I wonder if bears ride for free? I saw this about the...
Harajuku Moe Fashion
Snapped some cute moe fashion when out in Harajuku. This girl was posing for some scouts on the street with her stuffed rabbit....