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There’s more to these giant Yamahoko floats than first meets the eye.
Our reporter Tasuku Egawa was visiting Kyoto the other day for only the second time in his life when he came across a police barricade blocking his walking route in Gion Shijo.
Being an out-of-towner who wasn’t sure whether this was a regular thing or something out of the ordinary, Tasuku asked one of the police officers what was going on and he replied:
“It’s Gion Matsuri”.
Egawa had heard of this famous annual summer festival, but he was in Kyoto for work and had no idea that it was going on while he was there. Having never attended the festival, Tasuku couldn’t believe his luck at the fortuitous timing of his visit, so he immediately followed the crowds to wherever it was that they were going.
Tasuku ended up walking for about a kilometre (0.6 miles), but as soon as he caught sight of where everyone was headed, he was glad he’d followed the crowds, because there were brightly lit, huge floats there to greet him.
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A gentle breeze sways the cotton Noren curtain of this café, telling visitors that it is open. A pink Frangipani and the blue skies bring a smile. A lounging cat and the trickle of water in the pond set the mood for relaxation on this cobblestone street filled with potters who have been hand-making kitchenware for centuries.
This is Uchina Bukubuku teahouse, a place of refreshment for sojourners from near and far.
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History of Bukubuku Tea In the sixteenth century, Bukubuku tea was served in the Ryukyu royal court to welcome envoys from neighboring kingdoms across the ocean. Its popularity grew during the Meiji period, particularly with weddings and the entertainment of guests.
Unfortunately, the Bukubuku tea utensils were destroyed in the Second World War. For Shota, it was painful enough to lose his family and friends, but the loss of the tea utensils meant part of his identity was lost until these utensils were found in Tokyo on the main island of Hon..

All-you-can-eat ('tabehoudai') buffets offer a wide variety of food from sushi to desserts. While the buffet style is prevalent in other countries as well, it is one of Japan's characteristics that restaurants will offer an unlimited number of dishes in one category.
Many foreign visitors to Japan choose all-you-can-eat as one of the things they want to experience during their trip to Japan. In this issue, we asked several foreigners who love Japan what culture shock they experienced when visiting these restaurants in Japan (each comment is the opinion of the respondent).
Amazing, endless food in the same category!
Here are the most common opinions among those interviewed this time. In Japan, people often eat the same category of food at specialty restaurants, such as sushi at a sushi spot and yakiniku at a yakiniku restaurant, but they were surprised by this style.
“All-you-can-eat in Japan is pretty special. I was surprised at first by the all-you-can-eat style, such a..

Mt. Fuji is Japan's iconic mountain loved by locals and tourists alike, which means there are plenty of spectacular views and adorable snacks to celebrate its beauty!
Here we'll look at some recommended sightseeing spots and delicious local dishes from around Mt. Fuji and its Fuji Five Lakes.
1. Yoshida no Udon: Specialty Local Fujiyoshida Cuisine
Yoshida Udon (courtesy of：Fuji Five Lakes Tourism Federation)
Yoshida no Udon is a traditional dish from Fujiyoshida City, Yamanashi Prefecture. It is an impressive udon dish of thick noodles, horse meat, and boiled cabbage. There are nearly 50 shops that serve Yoshida Udon scattered about the city. Each shop boasts its own unique flavors, so you can find the one you love the most!
Each shop uses a condiment called 'suridane,' a mix of sesame, Sichuan pepper, and chili pepper. The suridane seasonings also vary by shop, just like the noodles, so you can enjoy a different taste wherever you go.
2. Mt. Fuji Melonpan: Adorable..

Kyoto is a popular tourist destination both domestically and internationally. Situated in a basin surrounded by mountains, summers are hot and humid, and on many days the temperature exceeds 30°C.
However, Kyoto also has cool summer destinations, including mountains, the seaside, and rivers. In addition to beautiful natural scenery, there are plentiful experiences and activities to get a feel for the city’s summer atmosphere.
Here are 10 cool spots in Kyoto where you can beat the heat, from famous sites like Shimogamo Shrine, Tadasu-no-Mori, Kibune, and Arashiyama Bamboo Forest to less frequented areas away from the city.
1. Shimogamo Shrine / Tadasu no Mori: A healing forest in the city
Shimogamo Shrine, a world heritage site, is one of Kyoto’s main shrines, about 30 minutes north of JR Kyoto Station by bus. The shrine’s vast Tadasu-no-Mori forest is a perfect place to cool off in the center of Kyoto, with many worshipers visiting in the evening.
The forest has been growing since th..

The Nasu area of Tochigi Prefecture is a popular destination to enjoy hot springs, outdoor activities like hiking, and winter sports in the colder months. If you're considering a stay in this part of Japan in the future, Towa Pure Cottages is located just two minutes drive from Nasu Highland Ranch and offers a variety of accommodation types including glamping domes. In addition, some of the rooms are pet-friendly, which can often be hard to find in Japan.
The glamping domes are certainly one of the highlights, and part of their appeal lies in their transparency – but never fear, they do have curtains as well to maintain privacy from other guests. The domes are decked out with everything you need for a comfortable stay, including a bed, sofa, refrigerator, and air conditioning, making for a nice middle ground between traditional camping and a regular hotel.
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If you would prefer more traditional lodging options, they have you covered there as well. Th..

Whether you’re someone who wants to grow out and donate hair intentionally, or just someone who wants to cut off long hair that’s already grown out, here are some ways to support a good cause with the hair you chop.

Anyone can donate as long as they have at least 31 centimeters of hair they are willing to cut off. So regardless of your hair type, texture or color you can donate as long as you have the required length. You can even donate to certain charities if it’s been artificially colored, permed or bleached just as long as it’s not highly damaged to the point where the hair breaks when lightly tugged.

Some Japanese hair donation charities also accept donations from all over the world, so you technically don’t even need to be in Japan to donate! That being said, here is how you can get involved.

How to donate hair
You need to donate at least 31 centimeters of hair regardless of texture or color.
Donating your hair is as simple as cutting it off and sending it over to the charity ..

For people visiting from warmer climes, it is not often you get to see a near horizontal snowstorm whilst dining from a sky-high observatory. Well, the great thing about Risonare Tomamu is that there are two such places, being Sora and Otto Sette, the latter a cross between a refined library and a gentleman’s club, 32 stories above in the already high Risonare Skyscraper. Old coffee table books on British interior design, a baby grand piano, and a circular library, speak volumes about its sophistication and elegance, making Otto Sette a worthy flagship restaurant at Tomamu Resort.
With the city so far away, this is the place to see the sunrise on a new day, or perhaps a sunset or the full moon or the stars on a calm and clear night. The city lights and noise are another world away. What is little known to outsiders is that Hokkaido makes some of the best Yoshoku or Japanese-made western cuisine. The founding fathers and mothers of the last frontier in Japan were trained in agricultura..

Bright yellow sunflower fields are a source of happiness during the hot Japanese summer! Here we will introduce five spots in the Kanto region to see this beautiful and iconic summer flower.
The best time to visit sunflower fields near Tokyo is from late July to August. The spectacular sight of a field of yellow sunflowers against a bright blue sky will leave you exhilarated! You can find them in Tokyo's residential areas and in farms and parks located in Tokyo’s suburbs. Why not enjoy summer by visiting some sunflower fields?
*Flower bloom times differ every year.
*Depending on the situation, the date of the event and its contents are subject to change. Upon making your way to each venue, please make sure to avoid crowds and take careful countermeasures against Covid-19.
1. Himawari Garden Musashimurayama: Tokyo's Largest Sunflower Field Will Leave You Smitten!
These sunflowers healthily facing the sun are growing healthily. (Photo: PIXTA)
Himawari Garden Musashimurayama, l..

Along the Kanmon Strait at the closest point on Kyushu to Japan’s main island of Honshu, Kitakyushu became a major power in the late 19th century as the nation industrialized. It has remained a special attraction in western Japan ever since. Historic sites as well as sculpted and natural beauty prevail, day or night, in this city of around a million people. How much of it can you experience in one day? Take your pick from the top ten attractions.
Downtown Kitakyushu: Kokura Station Area [photo id='232066']
Most travelers first arrive at Kokura Station, with its Shinkansen, Japan Rail, and city monorail lines, or nearby urban expressway ramp. This area is packed with restaurants, standing bars, bakeries, and shops to explore. Walk just a bit further and find the castle, an old-style market, and an immaculate toilet museum.
Kokura Castle [photo id='232065']
Before the formation of the city of Kitakyushu, the area’s strategic heart was Kokura, where the Murasaki Ri..