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A Festival Based on an Ancient Romantic Folk Tale
Tanabata, also known as Star Festival, is a Japanese event, originally from China (Qixi Festival), based on an old folk tale, The Cowherd and the Weaver Girl. The festival takes place in shrines, temples, and shopping streets (shotengai) across the country, sometimes in July and sometimes in August. It celebrates the meeting of deities Orihime and Hikoboshi, represented by the stars Vega and Altair, as they cross the Milky Way on their journey to reunite once every year.
First Celebrated by Imperial Court and Aristocrats
The most famous and well known of the Tanabata festivals is held in Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture, from August 6 to 8, while in Kanto, two of the most prominent venues are Hiratsuka in Kanagawa Prefecture and Asagaya in Tokyo. Children look forward to this special day as a sign that summer has arrived. Celebrations also take place at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine in Kamakura City, though the festivities are relativel..

Part of Japan’s Ryukyu island chain, this small group of subtropical islands between Okinawa Island and Ishigaki is known for its world-class diving and snorkeling. Several of the beaches here are consistently ranked among Japan’s best.
A visit to Miyako-jima, as it is known in Japanese, is sure to be a relaxing one.
Browse & Book hotels in Okinawa
1. Nakanoshima Beach
Known locally as Kayaffa Beach, this natural beach on Shimoji Island is surrounded by a large reef that keeps the bay protected from large waves.
Thanks to its calm and exceptionally clear water, Nakanoshima is a great spot for viewing the many corals and tropical fish that inhabit the area. Because the beach is not supervised by lifeguards, visitors will need to watch over their own safety.
Nakanoshima Beach
Irabu, Miyakojima City, Okinawa Prefecture, 906-05042. Toriike Ponds
These two ponds on Shimoji Island are connected underwater, and one is also connected by an underwater tunnel to the ocean, through which advance..

If you've lived in Japan for a while, you may have come across the furniture store Noce – they sell a variety of interior pieces in different styles, drawing inspiration from places like Scandinavia and Brooklyn in their designs. The brand also operates a café in the Shimokitazawa area of Tokyo called Café Normale, where you can pick up panini sandwiches, French toast, and a variety of cakes and drinks.
The panini sandwiches come in a wide variety of flavor combinations, including fillings like Italian Parma ham and mozzarella cheese, four cheeses with honey, and even mentaiko (pollock roe) with mozzarella cheese for a panini with a Japanese spin. The bread is all baked in house, and is simply made with flour, olive oil and salt.
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The panini sets are popular with customers, with options for either one or two sandwiches served with a drink, salad, and dessert. The prices for the sets are quite reasonable at only ¥ 900 for the one sandwich offering, o..

Enjoy an action-packed afternoon of watersports in Hokkaido! The nature-filled area around Sapporo is a perfect place where you can enjoy a variety of fun activities, from kayaking to rafting, cruising to canyoning, and more.
Some of the more popular areas to visit on a day trip include Chitose City and its Lake Shikotsu, plus Jozankei Onsen, Otaru City, and Furano City. Here we will share five fun water activities you can do in the green season and how to book your own experience.
1. Lake Shikotsu: Clear Kayak on Translucent Waters that Offer Spectacular Views of the Scenery Below!
▲”Clear Kayaking” is an activity offered by Lake Shikotsu Ocean Days. (Photo: Ocean Days)
Located in midwestern Hokkaido, Lake Shikotsu, is one of Japan's clearest and purest lakes.
Surrounding this magnificent body of water are hot spring villages, camping grounds, and a trail that wraps halfway around the lake's bank.
Around a 40-minute drive from New Chitose Airport (1 hour by fixed-route bus..

Kyoto’s Gion Matsuri is a festival filled with traditional flair that’s sure to please any visitor to Japan. Starting on July 1 every year, the festival runs for a full month. The rhythmic sound of the Kane bells being played by the Hayashi performers are one of the many memorable scenes that you can experience at Gion Matsuri.
Starting with the highlights, like the Yamaboko-junkō parade during the “Saki-matsuri” on July 17, and the “Ato-matsuri” on July 24, crowds of people visit the various pre-festivals, called “Yoi-yama”, all throughout the month, enveloping Kyoto in a red-hot festival atmosphere!
What is the Gion Matsuri?
The Gion Matsuri, one of the Three Great Festivals of Japan, is one of the festivals held at the famous Yasaka Shrine. During the Heian period, there was a plague sweeping across Japan, which was originally thought to be a curse. The festival was then held to placate the evil spirits responsible for it.
With a proud 1,150-year history, the festival is known far..

Kochi Prefecture and its capital city of Kochi face the Pacific Ocean on Shikoku's southern coast, and travelers to this lesser-visited corner of western Japan will be treated to superb natural beauty, exciting festivals, and lots of friendly sake-loving locals.
Browse & Book a hotel in Kochi
1. Kochi Castle
Kochi Castle was originally built in 1603 on the order of Yamauchi Katsutoyo, lord of the Tosa domain.
Although it burned down in a massive fire in 1727, the current castle tower was rebuilt in 1749 and is one of Japan's only 12 surviving castle keeps that date back to the Edo Period or earlier.
Fifteen structures at Kochi Castle, including its tower and the Otemon main gate, have been designated by the national government as important cultural properties. Kochi Castle is Japan’s only castle where you can capture both its main gate and main tower in a single photograph.
Kochi Castle
1 Chome-2-1 Marunouchi, Kochi, 780-08502. Hirome Market
Located next to Kochi Castle, Hiro..

Alishan Cafe's red barn is an iconic building ideally located a short distance from the foot of Mt. Hiwada. The building also marks one of the access points to Kinchakuda, a purse shaped field outlined by the winding Koma River. To vegans and vegetarians in Japan, Alishan is a trusted name for wholesome organic food stuff since the 1980s and many make a deliberate trip to Hidaka, Saitama to lunch at the cafe and stock up on pantry essentials.
This July 15, 2022, Alishan is opening Alishan Park, a cafe right next to one of Tokyo's most popular green areas, Yoyogi Park. Alishan Park upholds the Alishan philosophy of connecting people and sharing good sustainable food, but with a markedly hip and casual Tokyo vibe.
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The bright green building is impossible to miss. On the ground floor is the shop where you can buy Alishan's most popular packaged products including the best peanut butter on the planet, dried fruits, nuts, seasoning and snacks, ..

Sunflower season is in full swing across Japan at the moment, with many incredible destinations throughout the country to enjoy their beauty. However, if you'd prefer an indoor sunflower-themed activity to enjoy out of the heat and humidity, Minato Mirai's Anniversaire Café is hosting a sweets fair titled Sunflower Holic which runsfrom July 15th until September 11th.
There are two different afternoon teas available at the event – the Sunflower Plate afternoon tea (¥3,300) and the Sunflower Stand afternoon tea (¥3,900), both of which come with various beautifully presented sweets alongside a long list of beverage choices. If you'd prefer to add some savory options to your sunflower experience, there is also the Sunflower Holic lunch course (¥5,000) which comes with a welcome drink, an appetizer, a fish dish, a meat dish, dessert, and unlimited coffee and tea.
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There are also single dishes and drinks on offer as part of the event for those w..

For the thrill-seeker, there’s nothing quite like the rush you get from riding a good roller coaster or jettokoosutaa in Japanese. Luckily, for those looking for the adrenaline boost that only a double corkscrew can give you, the country has tons of exhilarating (and sometimes terrifying) rides.

Take Tokyo’s Thunder Dolphin, for example. Found in the capital’s Tokyo Dome City Attractions, the 80-meter tall beast offers a beautiful cityscape before plunging through the center of the Big O Ferris Wheel and even through the top of the LaQua department store.

Want to take a tour of thrills? Here are some of our favorite roller coasters in Japan.

The Bandit (Tokyo)

As thrilling as the Thunder Dolphin is, Tokyo’s favorite roller coaster is the Bandit, which was once the fastest in the world. Despite being in the middle of the city, the rollercoaster has a special appeal as it twists and turns through the wooded parts of the nostalgic Yomiuri Land amusement park like a giant mechanical sn..

Starbucks Coffee Hirosaki Koen-mae faces Otemon Street and overlooks the outer moat of Hirosaki Castle, which is right next to Hirosaki Park. This shop is the second Starbucks in Japan to open in a Registered Tangible Cultural Property. The fusion of Starbucks with such historic buildings has become quite a trending topic.
Starbucks Coffee Hirosaki Koen-mae – Right near Hirosaki Park!
Located right next to the famous cherry blossom spot, Hirosaki Castle (Photo courtesy of Hirosakipark.jp)
Starbucks Coffee Hirosaki Koen-mae faces Otemon Street and overlooks the outer moat of Hirosaki Castle, which is right next to Hirosaki Park. This shop is the second Starbucks in Japan to open in a Registered Tangible Cultural Property. The fusion of Starbucks with such historic buildings has become quite a trending topic.
We recommend stopping by while checking out the cityscape and moat! (Photo courtesy of Hirosakipark.jp)
Starbucks Coffee Hirosaki Koen-mae is located near the famous cherry blossom ..