• Cosmos in Kameoka

    Cosmos, which bloom from early to mid October in Japan, always remind me of home. The flowers aren’t native to South Africa, but they might as well as be. Brought…

    October 19, 2024

  • The Great Wisteria Festival

    About 80 km (49.7 mi) outside of Tokyo, there’s a 94,000 m² flower park, which is roughly the size of 17 American football fields. And inside the park, sits a…

    May 12, 2024

  • The Nishimera Gibier Festival

    “You ate what?” Maria-san asked with surprise. “Wild boar and deer.” She scrunched up her nose in disgust, “Urgh…really?” “Yeah, it was delicious!” “Oh no,” she frowned unconvinced, “I’ve never…

    February 6, 2017

  • Blue Impulse at the Nyutabaru Air Festival

    Last Saturday, generals at the Nyutabaru Air Base in Shintomi Town, Miyazaki, constructed and hung a giant teru teru bozu doll from the awning of the Fifth Air Wing offices.…

    December 8, 2016

  • The Cape Toi Fire Festival

    “I don’t see anything.” “Just wait for the next wave. Ok, now go! Move your hand around!” A tiny spec of blue suddenly appeared under the water. “Woah! I see…

    September 8, 2016

  • Takanabe Sunflower Festival

    At different times in my life, August has either represented the approaching autumn, or the coming spring. And as if to echo those transitions, it has marked my most exciting…

    August 31, 2016

  • Celebrating St Patrick’s Day in Tokyo

    “I’m pretty sure it will come down this way,” I said to Ian. We’d been waiting on the curb of the tree-lined avenue that runs from Meiji Shrine up to Omotesando.…

    March 25, 2016

  • Nagasaki Lantern Festival

    WELCOME TO NAGASAKI!  I fist-bumped the air as we drove across the border into Kyushu’s westernmost prefecture – the only one I had yet to conquer on Japan’s third largest…

    February 25, 2016

  • The Saga International Balloon Festival Fail

    “We’re going to miss the balloons.” “Stop being a Negative Nancy.” “I didn’t drive 4+ hours to miss the balloons. If we miss the balloons, I’m going to be pissed.”…

    November 16, 2015

  • In Pictures: Chiran’s Nebuta Festival

    Every year on the third Saturday of July, Chiran holds its own, miniature, version of the famed Nebuta Festival that takes place in Aomori City. Large washi lanterns, decorated with…

    August 4, 2015

  • A Horse-Blessed Harvest

    Here in the inaka, rice fields are woven into the scenery like squares on a patchwork quilt. The need for a calendar is obviated by their narrative of the seasons; glassy strips in early…

    July 21, 2015
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