Hello, it’s cherry blossoms seasons again under COVID-19. Do you remember last year when Governor Koike called for refraining from cherry-blossom viewing, saying, “Please refrain from cherry-blossom viewing this year. The cherry blossoms will bloom again next year.” To our surprise not much progress yet in terms of the fight against COVID-19. A rope was stretched in Ueno Park so … READ MORE
It is festival season! Primarily festivals are associated more with Shinto, Japanese native religion, but in summer we have Obon that is the main summer festival for Buddhism and local community. Check it out almost every weekend you encounter some kind of summer festival all through Japan. Here are main festivals in Tokyo, but there are more locals ones near you … READ MORE
Guess how many firework festivals will be held in Greater Tokyo! Almost every weekend you can see fireworks displays in the air. Plan your summer! July 13 Saturday, 14 Sunday Yokohama Yokohama Sparking Twilight Yokohama 3,000 fireworks to be launched, 630,000 people expected http://www.yokohamajapan.com/events/… July 20 Saturday, Arakawa river ( Nishiarai bridge of Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line) … READ MORE
Monkeys bathing in Onsen, natural hot spring in snow is an iconic scene of Japanese Winter. Where are they? Can we make a day trip from Tokyo? Are they always there? We went there to check it for you. 2 things to take away from this trip: A) monkeys were super cute and B) the walking path was very … READ MORE
Do you still remember there was a chaos of Tsukiji Fish Market Move about two months ago? How are they doing now? We need to check new Tuna Auction as one of the witness who saw the last Tuna Auction in Tsukiji. So we went! We drove to Toyosu and arrived around 5:30 am when the tuna auction starts on … READ MORE
Tokyo’s winter is long and dark. The sun sets around 4:30 pm at this time of the year. But don’t worry! The longer night time is for enjoying illumination, Christmas lights, or Winter lights. In general, it starts at the end of November till the end of December. Perfect for Instagram and dating out. Below is a list of major … READ MORE
This summer I guided many family groups, a couple of honeymooner, and individuals mainly in Tokyo, plus Hokone, Mt. Fuji, and Nikko. The place my guests visited most was Tsukiji, and Asakusa for the second most. This is is one model plan we did this summer. 9:00 am Meet at the hotel lobby and move to Tsukiji by metro. 10:00 … READ MORE
Chichu Art Museum, Tadao Ando, Yayoi Kusama, Lee Ufan… Do any of these ring a bell? What do they all in common? They’re all related to Naoshima! Naoshima is recently dubbed an “architectural pilgrimage site” drawing visitors from around the world to a small island town off the coast of Uno in Okayama prefecture and Takamatsu in Kagawa prefecture. Although a … READ MORE
The most popular spot among my guests is Tsukiji Fish Market. One day in the last week I went to Tsukiji twice a day, and was there four times in last 6 days. Needless to say but Tuna Auction is still attracting many guests from overseas. For tuna auction view details, please refer this link. Waking up at 1:00 am … READ MORE
June is a good month, not too hot yet, colorful flowers, and fireflies. Last week my guests told me they avoided coming to Japan in June due to the rainy season. Yes, Japanese rainy seasons starts in early June and last about 6 weeks in Tokyo area. Today Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) announced officially the rainy season has started today … READ MORE