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Rituals at Shinto shrine in Kawagoe, just north of Tokyo

  Every year in early July, 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, began in the early Edo period (1603-1867) with the intention of warding off plagues and promoting disease-free breathing. A perfect event for an era with Covid, the liturgy, also known as Nagoshi no Harae ("summer passing purification…

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2 great Japanese evening "light-up" events in autumn 2021

In Japan's Nikko and Kinugawa-onsen areas, two hours north of Tokyo along the Tobu Railway Nikko and Kinugawa lines, special moon-viewing festivities with light-ups are being held from September through November. There is a Japanese expression, "aki no yonaga," which means "long autumn night." This year, despite the pandemic, two popular celebratory light-up events held annually are illuminating the autumn evenings in the Nikko-Kinugawa region, along Tobu Railway's Nikko and Kinugawa lines.…

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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. In Japan, the school of Zen involves practicing Zazen (meditation) and mindfulness, which can be achieved by the act of Shakyo (hand copying of Buddhist sutras. Both Zazen and Shakyo may help calm the mind and reduce anxiety. In under two hours north of Tokyo,…

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  • Max Pesling July 7, 2023 at 5:51pm
    Hot off the presses: as of just eight months ago, visitors to Tokyo have an entertaining (and interactive!) chance for a look at traditional Japanese sumo wrestling: https://edition.cnn.com/2023/07/07/sport/sumo-retirees-play-for-lau...
    https://edition.cnn.com/2023/07/07/sport/sumo-retirees-play-for-laughs-tourists-spt-intl
  • Jordan Simon June 13, 2023 at 12:10pm
    Have you seen "Sanctuary" on Netflix? I did recently, and it's pretty cool - and apparently it's been doing wonders for new interest around the world in sumo wrestling: https://www.msn.com/en-xl/lifestyle/other/meet-sumo-legend-takanoha...
    Meet sumo legend Takanohana Koji: hit Netflix drama Sanctuary has revived interest in the Japanese…
    Meet sumo legend Takanohana Koji: hit Netflix drama Sanctuary has revived interest in the Japanese sport – and in Koji, who owns a multimillion-dolla…
  • José Balido September 30, 2022 at 8:12am
    I remember when visiting Japan many years ago our tour group was treated to a greatly abridged version of the traditional "way of tea" ceremony, which normally can last hours. On its website the Japanese tourism board has a concise description of what goes on and what the ceremony's background is: https://www.japan.travel/en/guide/tea-ceremony/
    Japanese Tea Ceremony | Guide | Travel Japan (Japan National Tourism Organization)
    Originating in China, the tea ceremony has become part of Japanese culture. The ritual elevates hospitality to an art, with its roots in Zen Buddhism.
  • David Paul Appell August 27, 2018 at 7:04pm

    Just read a pretty interesting article from the BBC about the phrase that makes everything better in Japan: yoroshiku onegaishimasu, meant to convey respect and appreciation. Learn more here: http://www.bbc.com/capital/story/20180821-is-this-phrase-the-swiss-...

  • David Paul Appell April 22, 2011 at 5:25pm
    New on our Tripatini blog: useful Travel Tips for Tokyo from a recent visitor. Let's not forget to encourage tourism to Japan to help them out during a difficult time!
  • David Paul Appell May 10, 2010 at 3:51am
    What do the Japanese mean by "ganbatte!" Find out this week on our blog.
    blog.TRIPATINI.COM
  • Gayle Pescud April 8, 2010 at 6:18pm
    My Japanese is so rusty these days but it's nice to be back in a group with folks talking Japanese. I studied it at high school and university in Australia and then worked in it for 10 yeatrs, but not the last 5 so really forgetting the nuances. Anyway, thanks. Um, trying to think of something witty to say in japanese now and memory failing. Damnit. Yosh...arigatou gozaimasu! Mata, ato de ne...
  • David Paul Appell December 13, 2009 at 7:17pm
    Here's this week's Top Tune From Around the World, "Hiiroo (Hero)" from Tokyo's Funky Monkey Babys:


    You can find the lyrics in romaji and kanji at: http://www.jpopasia.com/play/24831/funky-monkey-babys/hero.html
    - YouTube
    Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.
  • David Paul Appell December 7, 2009 at 7:13pm
    That sounds REALLY cool, Sarah! Please get him to come on here and let us know more about it!
  • David Paul Appell December 7, 2009 at 7:06pm
    That sounds REALLY cool, Sarah! Please get him to come on here and let us know more about it!
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