Category: Japan

Drawing of a Cute kawaii squid mascot in Hakodate japan

Japan’s Squid Celebration – Hakodate Annual Port Festival

July 27, 2021

Every August, the Japanese city of Hakodate celebrates the humble squid with an annual squid festival. That’s right, an entire festival to honour the tentacled cephalopods of the region! The city of Hakodate is located on a southern outcrop of Japan’s northernmost island, Hokkaido. Presided over by the dominating Mount Hakodate, the city is perhaps … More Japan’s Squid Celebration – Hakodate Annual Port Festival

Drawing of Japanese whale festival in Akishima cute whale parade

Tokyo’s Whale Celebration – Akishima Citizen Whale Festival

July 20, 2021

Akishima is a city in the west of the greater Tokyo metropolis. Every year, the Akishima Citizen Whale Festival celebrates one of their local symbols, the Akishima whale. But what does a city 50km from the coast have to do with whales? This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small … More Tokyo’s Whale Celebration – Akishima Citizen Whale Festival

Drawing of a Japanese onsen with apples floating in the water

The Weird World Of Apples In Japan – Aomori Apple Picking, Apple Bathing, And The Sekai Ichi Apple

May 25, 2021

The pursuit of the perfect apple in Japan has created a fascinating apple culture. Centred around the apple orchids of Aomori Prefecture, Japan celebrates apples with colourful mascots and apple blossom festivals, and fruit picking is one of the most popular activities of the region. Bathing in a huge bath full of apples is even … More The Weird World Of Apples In Japan – Aomori Apple Picking, Apple Bathing, And The Sekai Ichi Apple

Drawing of beppu sand bathers buried in volcanic sand

Sunamushi Onsen – Volcanic Sand Bathing in Southern Japan

April 13, 2021

For many people, being buried up to the neck in hot, black volcanic sand doesn’t seem like a pleasant way to relax. But in parts of southern Japan, sunamushi (sand bathing) on a volcanic beach is a popular form of bathing that helps rest the mind and refresh the body. For those who have not … More Sunamushi Onsen – Volcanic Sand Bathing in Southern Japan

Drawing of three Hachioji Kuruma Ningyo puppeteers in Japan

Hachioji Kuruma Ningyo – Discovering Tokyo’s Puppets On A Cart

March 3, 2021

One of Tokyo’s most unique art forms is the puppetry performance at Hachioji Kuruma Ningyo Puppet Theatre. The style is characterised by a puppeteer on a small wooden cart (rokuro kuruma) controlling a single large puppet. Controlling the individual arms, legs and head with their own limbs, whilst moving around the stage on the cart … More Hachioji Kuruma Ningyo – Discovering Tokyo’s Puppets On A Cart

Drawing of a cute squid themed post box in Hakodate

Everything Squid In Hakodate, Japan’s Squid Capital!

March 1, 2021

Hakodate is a port city in Japan’s northernmost prefecture of Hokkaido. Because of its history as a squid fishing port, the city has embraced the humble cephalopod as the official mascot. Squids appear everywhere in Hakodate – live squids in marketplaces, cartoon squids on manhole covers, squid ink ice cream, even dancing squids on your … More Everything Squid In Hakodate, Japan’s Squid Capital!

Drawing of a japanese cow standing in a field in Hokkaido

Hokkaido Milk – Inside The World Of Japan’s Dairy Industry

February 22, 2021

Hokkaido milk is known across Japan for its excellent quality and delicious flavour, often considered the country’s best milk. Known for its smooth, creamy, slightly vanilla taste, Hokkaido milk is probably most known for Hokkaido 3.6 milk, a full-fat milk product. Milk from Japan’s northernmost home island is also used to make some special treats, … More Hokkaido Milk – Inside The World Of Japan’s Dairy Industry

Drawing of Sega Toylet video game urinal skirt blowing game

Japan’s Urinal Video Games – The Weird World Of The Sega Toylet

February 17, 2021

Japan is known for its high-tech toilets, with electronic control panels, retractable bidets, heated seats, and sound effects to mask the user’s sounds. But the most unusual (and fun) invention so far is surely the urinal video game, controlled by the player’s urine stream! Called the Sega Toylet, they can sometimes be found installed in … More Japan’s Urinal Video Games – The Weird World Of The Sega Toylet

Drawing of Hakodate Orthodox Church in Motomachi

Soaking Up Hakodate History In The Photogenic Motomachi Area

February 15, 2021

The Motomachi area of Hakodate is the city’s historic neighbourhood, where Japanese and Western architectures are uniquely blended into a mish-mash of styles. Hakodate, located on the northernmost Japanese home island of Hokkaido, was one of the first ports in the country to open its doors to international trade in 1854. Traders, consuls, and government … More Soaking Up Hakodate History In The Photogenic Motomachi Area

Drawing of Tokyo manhole cover storm drain cherry blossom design art

The Real Meaning Of Tokyo’s Iconic Sakura Manhole Covers

February 10, 2021

Japan is known for producing some of the most incredible manhole covers in the world. Using artistic designs to celebrate a city’s culture, history, and industry, these street ornaments come to life with beautifully painted results. When it comes to Tokyo’s manhole covers, the most commonly spotted is the classic all-metal flower design. While not … More The Real Meaning Of Tokyo’s Iconic Sakura Manhole Covers