All Discussions (72)
6 enchanting destinations not to miss in Japan
The Land of Rising Sun.is endlessly fascinating, with its bamboo forests, serene temples, neon arcades, futuristic skyscrapers, and exquisite cuisine - not to mention ultra-polite people. A fascinating mix of highly traditional and cutting-edge
Read more…Summer In Kawagoe, Japan's "Little Edo" City
From June 30 to July 10, visitors to the lovely "Little Edo" city Kawagoe (population a bit over 353,000) just a half hour north of Tokyo in Saitama Prefecture, can experience Chinowa Kuguri. This Shinto ritual, held at Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine,
TOKYO SKYTREE TOWN Celebrates New Year 2022 - and Its Own 10th Anniversary
The year 2022 is also the 10th anniversary of the opening of TOKYO SKYTREE TOWN. centering on the tallest free-standing broadcast tower in the world, whiich will be aglow with a special "Happy New Year!" greeting, along with an image of the Japane
Read more…Tochigi City's historic Uzuma River Andon Lantern Festival
During Japan's hot and sultry summer, everyone tries to cool off by the water. In historic Tochigi City, affectionately called Koedo or "Little Old Tokyo," just 70 minutes north of Tokyo's Asakusa Station on Tobu Railway's Tobu Nikko Line, the ann
Kawagoe's March-through-May festival celebrates the arrival of spring
Kawagoe is a traditional and lively Koedo (“Little Edo”) city just 30 minutes north of Tokyo along the Tobu Tojo Line. Its spring festival, held from late March through early May, is an annual cultural highlight
Practicing Zen and Zazen north of Tokyo
In these times of stress and uncertainty, it is relieving to know that once we can travel again, there are places in the world that offer the healing qualities of reflection, tranquility and mindfulness. Japan is one of those places.
Practicing
Deck of Tokyo Skytree emblazoned with ' W1SH Ribbons'
Now Anyone Can "Make a W1SH" from the World's Tallest Freestanding Tower.
"W1SH RIBBON," a monument to the suffering of and hope for the people of Japan and the world during the COVID-19/Coronavirus pandemic, was installed on September 25 on the
Read more…The supernatural - and Halloween - in Japan
The Land of the Rising Sun is home to an ancient culture with a sometimes tumultuous history, and through these many centuries, inevitably some of that history has been haunted with all manner of ghosts, demons, monsters, and ghouls. And in the 2
Read more…Tokyo's Capitol Hotel Tokyu offers authentic Japanese cultural experiences
The Capitol Hotel Tokyu, the five-star Tokyo flagship property of Tokyu Hotel Corporation, is now offering unique, authentic Japanese cultural experiences. Two exclusive offers include off-site luxury dining with geishas and genuine Shinto ceremoni
Read more…Mount Koya cited in '13 of the World's Most Spiritual & Sacred Places'
“There are no unsacred places; there are only sacred places and desecrated places.”
― U.S. novelist, poet, essayist, environmental activist, & cultural critic Wendell Berry
If you’re a "seeker," who travels in part to
Read more…Tokyo Skytree's special lighting for world solidarity & the global battle against coronavirus COVID-19
Operated by Tobu Tower Skytree Co., LTD, the communications and observation tower that at 634 meters (2,080 feet) is the tallest structure in Japan (and second tallest in the world, as well as its tallest freestanding broadcast tower) has for the
Read more…An imperial journey: old meets new in Tokyo
Tokyo is the most Instagrammable city I’ve ever experienced and this speaks volumes coming from me, considering my passport-stamped globetrotter status as a travel TV host. With mind-blowing attention to detail at every turn, Japan's capital is a
An escape to the mystical city Nikko
On the shores of Lake Chuzenji, away from the hustle and bustle of Tokyo in the Tochigi Prefecture is Nikko; a national treasure filled with natural beauty and important UNESCO World Heritage sites. Its literal translation means “sunlight” so it’
An intro to Osaka, Japan's 2nd city
Located on the main island of Honshu, roughly in the center of Japan and just under three hours by train from Tokyo, Osaka is spread across 221 square kilometers and has a population of 2.6 million. During World War II, air raids and bombings level
The Yokohama Tokyu REI Hotel to open April 7
Japan's second largest city (pop. 3.7 million) and largest port isn’t particularly high on the tourism radar – it’s known more for industry and above all its commercial shipping. But its cosmopolitan vibe, excellent dining/entertainment scene, and
Japanese hot springs cited in 'Romantic Valentine's Day Activities In/Near 26 Iberia Destinations'
Sure, going out for an intimate dinner à deux is pretty much everyone's default on this day for lovers. But to make Valentine's Day extra special, seek out an experience that will make it truly memorable for years to come. High and low, on land and
Celebrating New Year's Eve in Japan
Celebrated by the Japanese according to the Gregorian calendar only since 1873, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day have evolved their own unique set of customs. Let me share a quick primer on Shōgatsu in Japan with you - it's a festive time of year
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