Mount Yoshino offers splendid views of cherry blossoms during spring. It is one of the most popular hanami 花見 (flower viewing) spots in Japan. In April 2016, on a lovely sunny day I went on a solo hike to mount Yoshino to experience senbonzakura 千本桜 (thousands of cherry trees). Although I kept a regular track […]
Japan
Quiz on Japanese Prefectures
Let’s see how well you know Japan! As you know Japan is a archipelagic country which is made of four main islands namely Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku and Kyushu, and it is further divided into 47 prefectures 都道府県 (todoufuken). So I decided to create this quiz and test your knowledge on Japan. No doubt you love Japan […]
5 reasons to love Japan
Japan is unique in its own ways. Don’t you agree? A country with deep-rooted tradition and yet technologicaly advanced. Be it fashion or food, there is a touch of kawaiiness (cuteness) in everything that makes us all go ”aww kawaii desune!” You are going to hear the word “kawaii” so often in Japan that you […]
Plum blossom in Japan
Spring has arrived. One thing that is deeply associated with spring in Japan is the cherry blossom festival or ‘hanami’ (the flower viewing festival). Cherry blossom or ‘sakura’ usually start blooming by the end of March and get to peak blooming by mid of April. In Touhoku region and Hokkaido sakura appear much later. Check […]
In the spooky yōkai town
It was a grey and chilly afternoon. The mountains were shrouded in fog. Despite the drizzle I took a walk down the Mizuki Shigeru road. There he was, just around the corner. Kitaro agreed to take a picture with me.
Senzaiichigū
千載一隅（せんざいいちぐう） A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity comes without notice. Always be prepared.
New Year in Japan
“Akemashite Omedetougozaimasu” is how you say “happy new year” in Japanese. New year is celebrated extensively all across Japan. Winter in Japan means illumination everywhere and that’s what makes new year’s time all so special. Even though a lot of Japanese festivals are based on the lunar calendar and also the Chinese zodiac system is […]
Castle in the water
And it dazzled so bright, that the water had to reflect its glory……
An imagination painted by nature
When autumn bade farewell, the wind kissed those last red leaves…..
Coming back to Nara
The image of Nara in my mind has always been limited to Tōdai-ji (東大寺) and the great bronze Buddha statue (大仏). Going back in time, I first came to Nara in 2011, on a one day field trip. We were taken to the most apparent and the must see temple in Nara, the Tōdai-ji. I […]