Ekiben: A look back at a unique bento box
To mark the 50th annual "station" bento gathering, or Ekiben in Japanese, this weekend, we will revisit the origin and distinctive features of this food in this blog…
Omikuji おみくじ or fortune paper
Although the night is only half over and the cold is noticeable even when bundled up in several layers, the shrines and temples of the Japanese archipelago are…
A Christmas in Japan
With Christmas less than two days away, last-minute gifts and preparations are surely being finalized, and Japan is no exception to this very Western tradition. In…
Tokyo: Illuminations 2022 and Hagoita Market
Hagoita Market in Asakusa Toshi no ichi Hagoita 歳の市羽子板 or literally racket market is a festival market taking place at the most imposing temple in Tokyo: Asakusa. He…
Our selection of the best onsen around Tokyo
With the cold weather settling in and winter fast approaching, we tend to want to stay warm and cozy at home. Indeed, it's a perfectly valid choice…
Chichibu Yomatsuri Festival
Chichibu Yomatsuri (秩父夜祭) is a festival linked to Shinto beliefs that features floats adorned with lanterns traveling through the streets like ancient boats...
紅葉狩り Momiji Gari, best spots in Tokyo Edition 2022 – Part II
We're back with this second article dedicated to the Momiji Gari phenomenon, this time in the Japanese capital. You'll find well-known spots as well as more hidden gems…
Gari 狩り phenomenon in Japan
Whether for a weekend outing or a stopover on the return journey, the Japanese indulge in a very specific activity called Kudamono Gari 果物狩り or…
Tattoos in Japan
For several years now, tattoos have been booming in France. In fact, it's estimated that one in five people has at least one tattoo. The fact is that…
The Hikawa Shrine in Kawagoe, to find your soulmate
Japan has countless temples and shrines. Unlike our monotheistic churches, Japanese temples and shrines venerate different deities, some with specific "specialties." Today, we're talking about the shrine…