Plum Blossoms at Koishikawa Korakuen

Taking a moment to stop and appreciate the flowers (or the shifting seasons in general) seems to be pretty ingrained in Japanese culture. You can find all sorts of gardens and temples known for being hotspots to visit at specific times of the year. When I last visited Japan in 2010, I was fortunate to […]

Japanese KitKat Flavors

One of the most fabled tales I heard back in the olden days (1990s) about Japan was the abundance of flavored KitKat bars. They were one of my childhood favorites, so when I arrived in Japan as an adult nearly 15 years later, I was curious if the KitKat craze was a passing fad or […]

Spider Lilies in Kinchakuda

One thing I’m learning here in Japan is that everything is ruled by the seasons. Japanese people love the fact that the change of seasons is so notable here, and many tourist activities are very time-bound in accordance with the seasons. Right now, it’s peak time for spider lilies to be in bloom. One of […]

Chichibu Shibazakura Festival

In my fair Saitama prefecture are many natural wonders, much to my delight. A mere 20 kilometers (12.5 miles, roughly) from my city is Chichibu, a city that is gaining more popularity with tourists as its natural wonders and festivals gain visibility. Getting there takes over an hour, due to having to go around several […]