Spiritual recognition and communication with one’s ancestors has been practiced by many cultures throughout the ages. Japan, having an amalgamation of different religions blending into their culture, celebrate and practice different rituals. Obon is a Buddhist celebration commemorating the deceased and one’s ancestral spirits. Usually held from July throughout mid-August, Obon is a one of the largest religious events to take place in Japan.

Obon is a time for reflection and remembrance of all the ancestors and friends lost over the years. Obon is a memorial celebration in which food and prayers are offered and presented at gravesites and family altars. Such offerings include fruits and other foods that one may have known the former person to... Read More

May 12-13, 2007, Saturday and Sunday, Wakaba Matsuri or New Leaf Festival was held in Sagamihara City.

On Saturday, at 9am, we went to Citizen’s Hall or ‘Shiminkaikan’. As we passed Nishimon Street, I noticed there were people preparing stalls of different kinds such as foods, flowers, toys, etc. When we arrived at Citizen’s Hall, we proceeded to 2nd floor of the building, while my husband was carrying my two paintings. We set up my paintings together with some of my Japanese co-artist. There were many paintings displayed and in other rooms there were photography and colored pencil drawing exhibits. As I looked at my paintings hanging on the wall, I felt delighted because I would become part of the Festival.

On Sunday, we went back to Nishimon Street where... Read More

Coming to Japan, go to Kyoto. It's as simple as that. Of course there are a million and one different things to see and do whilst you are here, and if you are living here you have an even better opportunity to see parts of Japan that the usual tourist won't see, but whatever you do, make sure you go to Kyoto.

For me, Kyoto is the heart and soul of Japan, the mystic old capital, where Geisha still walk the streets, Golden Pavilions sit over motionless lakes, and monkeys have the best real estate in town!

Kyoto has a unique history, and is filled with everything you read about Japan in the tourist guides and so much more. Search the streets of Gion and Pnotocho for Geisha and Maiko dressed in their finest, visit stunning Temples, Shrines and Cas... Read More

Autumn is a very popular time to hold festivals throughout Japan - the autumn colors are breathtaking. Matsuyama (in Ehime prefecture) holds its Fall Festival (aki matsuri) in early October. It is also known as the Mikoshi Festival. Mikoshi is a portable shrine, which can come in many sizes. I got to carry a children’s mikoshi, which takes about 10 kids to carry. An adult mikoshi needs closer to 60 men to carry!

The mikoshi are brought to a Shinot shrine so that the kami-sama (god) can enter the mikoshi. Then the mikoshi are carried around the neighbourhood brining good fortune to local businesses and homes.

If that was the entire festival, it would still be fun. However, in Matsuyama (and many other places in Japan) there ... Read More

I love spring in Japan, not only is the change in the weather nice, but to see the spectacular wonder known as sakura or cherry blossom in full bloom is magnificent! We often visit many spots during this time chasing the fragile beauty of the short-lived blossom. One of our many haunts is Gongendo Park in Satte. It is only a ten minute car ride away for us, for others it is a few minute bus ride from the Satte train station.

During the day we can enjoy a stroll along the sakura lined pathway extending for as far as the eye can see, this year was the 77th current matsuri or festival. The history though of viewing the sakura in Gongendo extends back to Edo times when there was once a river upon which even the Mikado or royal household traveled upon to see... Read More

I kept thinking, eat this Michael Jackson. Soaring into Odaiba,Tokyo aboard the above ground Yurikamome train, was like flying straight into Neverland. What unexpected sights! A giant ship converted into a maritime museum with an accompanying pool, an enormous lit up Ferris wheel, a mini Statue of Liberty. Odaiba is a man-made island that was rebuilt in the early 80’s at a cost of 10 billion with the hopes of it becoming Tokyo’s newest residential hotspot. This was never realized as the economy crashed in the early 90’s, but the futuristic area has seen a recent revival as a tourist hotspot and entertainment hub.

The very best thing in Odaiba right now can be found at The Nomadic Museum where there is an exhibit titled “Ashes and Snow” by Gregory Colbert... Read More

Located in Toyama Prefecture, Tonami City's floral symbol is a Tulip, which I found strange until I decided to go have a look at the Tulip Fair which is only about 4 a four minute drive away from our home. On arrival I was stunned by the amount of people qued up at the entrance and was glad to find out they had an express lane for locals who already held complimentary tickets.

As soon as you pass through the gates the wave of fragrance hits you and your confronted by a vast ocean of color from countless thousands of tulips in bloom. To be honest I have never seen anything like it in my life, the tulips must number in the hundreds of thousands. One of the great things is your are allowed to walk amongst the blooms on the access tracks used by the gardeners, this makes for amaz... Read More

Every March, a group of middle aged men carry an 800-pound, wooden phallus down the crowded streets of Komaki. Crowds of cheering and slightly intoxicated locals, foreigners, and pregnant women, push and shove for the chance to rub the sacred member which they believe will bring good luck and fertility. This eccentric festival begins with the offering of traditional Japanese sake, which is blessed and distributed among the crowd.

Before the 2.5 meter long phallus is carried ceremoniously into the “female” shrine, it is on display for the public to take photos with. Because the event is such a draw for tourists, the local media is eager to take photos of foreigners, in interesting poses in front of the phall... Read More