What was life like in the Showa area? How did people have fun when they didn’t have the internet, computer, and cell phones like we do now? It might be hard to know unless you actually talk to someone who lived in that era, or visit museums that show you what life was like. To celebrate this year's Showa no Hi, the day to remember the past, let’s put the two together where I was able to listen and see little bits of a day in the life of someone who lived in the Showa era. Th

Takayama Festival (高山祭) has been one of the oldest running festivals in Japan. The festival offers a unique experience of Japanese culture with its articulated performance of puppet dolls during the day and a parade of intricately designed festival floats that goes through the night. Along with Gion Festival in Kyoto and the Chichibu Yomatsuri in Saitama, it is known as one of the three most beautiful festivals in the country.

Traveling in Japan often means walking over 20,000 steps a day, which can get exhausting. But Japan isn’t only about the excitement and long days of exploring, you can also enjoy a more relaxing side of the country. Imagine soaking in warm water while taking in beautiful views of nature. That’s the onsen experience. With over 27,000 hot springs spread across Japan, you’ll easily find a place to unwind and recharge after days of adventure. But there’s more to onsens than meets

The winter cold melts away and spring peaks its way through to welcome new life and a new year for Japan. Out with the old and in with the new. To welcome spring, Japan celebrates Shunbun no Hi (春分の日) also known as Vernal Equinox, or even simpler, Spring Equinox.

For two weeks, from March 1 to 14, the historic temple becomes the stage for one of Japan’s oldest living traditions: the Omizutori Festival (お水取り). This ceremony has been held every single year since 752. That’s more than 1,270 years of continuous history.

If you’ve travelled to Kyoto in the past decade, you may have noticed that at certain times of the year, a soft warm glow lights up temples across the city as it welcomes the night. That’s Hanatouro.

When people hear the word “Chinatown,” most people would immediately think of Yokohama. But did you know there is also a strong Chinese influence further south in Kyushu? Yes, you can find it in the heart of Nagasaki Prefecture.

While we are all familiar with cherry blossoms, did you know that there are more than 600 varieties (The Gate). There are 10 types of cherry blossom trees that grow naturally in Japan, among them are the Kawazu cherry blossoms. The discovery of these cherry blossoms less than 70 years ago led to the creation of the famous Kawazu cherry blossom festival.