From early June to mid-July, Japan enters its tsuyu, or rainy season. The days become warm and humid, and sudden downpours are common. But amid the misty evenings and damp air, a beautiful seasonal event begins—the arrival of fireflies. Known in Japanese as hotaru, these glowing insects have long been symbols of summer, nostalgia, and the quiet magic of nature.

If you’re looking for a fun, heartwarming, and unforgettable cultural experience in Japan this spring, make sure to mark your calendar for Sunday, May 18, 2025. That’s when the Kobe Festival, the city’s biggest annual event, will light up the streets with music, dance, parades, and community spirit!

Every spring, Japan bursts into color with its iconic cherry blossoms—but have you ever heard of fuji? Known in English as wisteria, this cascading bloom is one of Japan’s most cherished flowers, both for its beauty and the deep cultural meaning behind it.

Pay It Forward is a term that many of us have heard.  However, do you know the meaning behind it?  The easiest way to define paying it forward is receiving money or help from someone and feeling moved to ‘pay it forward’ to the next person.  If this feeling compels the next person, the result is usually a long chain of people helping the next person.  The ‘pay’ can be the same thing you received or something that you see someone needs.  

ペイフォワードという言葉は、多くの人が聞いたことがある言葉ではないでしょうか。 しかし、その言葉の裏にある意味を知っていますか。「ペイフォワード」を最も簡単に定義するのであれば、誰かからお金や助けを受け取り、その恩を次の人へ報いる気持ちになることです。 もしこの感情が次の人を駆り立てるのであれば、その結果は通常、次の人を助ける人々の長い連鎖となっていきます「ペイ」とは、あなたが受け取ったものと同じものでも、誰かが必要としているものかもしれません。

Check out the Impact Women's Weekend presentation by our Global Community Team Leader, Jasmine Tsunoda, presented by We Are The Impact and Tokyo Innovation Base.

The Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route is a mountain sightseeing route that connects Tateyama Town in Toyama Prefecture and Omachi City in Nagano Prefecture. From April 15 to June 25, a part of the snow corridor around Murodo will be open to pedestrians.

日本には、三霊山があります：白山、富士山、立山。立山には有名な立山黒部アルペンがあり、冬の間は閉鎖され、春に開放されます。2025年の全線開通は4月15日です。1971年の全線開通以来、この有名なアルプスは 「日本の屋根」 として知られるようになりました。