Blogs

In Japan, one of the sure signs of the arrival of spring is Hina-Matsuri, the Festival of Dolls. Japanese have celebrated Hina-Matsuri since at least the 8th-century Heian period. During this … read more

I often get asked about the best season to visit Japan. Such a seemingly simple question. However, there are more choices and more “seasons” than most people realize. Japan is a land of … read more

A sure sign of summer’s arrival in Japan is warm, pleasant rains of early May, called samidare.The picture above was taken in Miyazaki Shrine. The priestess ladies are about to begin their workday, wh … read more

under cherry blossoms’ shade even those whom we don’t know are not strangers (Issa Kobayashi, 1819) When we can share feelings with others, they are no longer strangers. If we have em … read more

In Japan, passion for cherry blossoms run deeps and anticipating their arrival every spring borders on a national obsession.Pictures above are from nightly news national TV broadcasts in early March. … read more