Toyokawa, a city located in the east of Aichi Prefecture, is home to one of Japan’s most marvelous shrines: Toyokawa Inari. A must-visit destination when visiting Japan. Toyokawa Inari is considered one of Japan’s Big Three Inari Temples and it is a place worshipped by millions of visitors every year. Toyokawa Inari, officially named Enpukuzan...Read More

Nagoya hosts multiple exciting annual events throughout the year, including seasonal festivals, Samurai parades, and special cultural events for all kinds of audiences. During autumn, one of the greatest cultural festivals is the Yattokame Culture Festival. The Yattokame is a journey through Japan’s traditional performing arts, history, and culture. In 2024, it will be held...Read More

The Nagoya Festival, which takes place annually in mid-October, is one of the most spectacular autumn festivals in Nagoya. The entire city is filled with a festive atmosphere, celebrating its past, present, and future.  If you love Japanese festivals and want to experience a vibrant energy and a mix of entertainment, culture, and history, this...Read More

Every year in autumn, the Nishikawa Ryu, one of the most influential traditional dance schools in Japan, puts on a colorful show called the Nagoya Odori (Nagoya Dance). At the Nagoya Odori, you can enjoy the impressive visual art and impeccable choreography of classic Japanese dances, as well as traditional Japanese tales in the form...Read More

Bathing is a part of every culture across the world.  Nowadays, because of our busy lives, many people prefer a quick shower to start or end their day and don’t think about it twice. Despite that some people might think baths are a waste of water, many people love the ritual of bathing. Many countries...Read More

The Nippon Domannaka Festival, commonly known as Domatsuri, is one of the most energetic and vibrant festivals in Japan. It’s a multi-day festival held in Nagoya at the end of August, when the summer heat reaches its peak, and it fills the city and its surroundings with hundreds of Yosakoi dancers coming from all over...Read More

For over 1300 years, local fishermen in Japan have used an unusual technique to catch river fish during the summer. Japanese cormorants, called “u” in Japanese, are trained for up to three years by their owners to help catch fish. Known as “ukai” in Japanese, cormorant fishing is a unique traditional method that is rare...Read More

Sumo wrestling is an integral part of Japan’s culture and has been practiced in one form or another for around 2000 years. In part 1 of this series, we shared everything you need to know if you are new to Sumo, and want to attend the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament. If you haven’t read it...Read More

When people think about Japan, one of the first things they think of is Sumo Wrestling. So when people plan their trips to Japan, they often want to see a Sumo tournament. But what most people don’t realize is that getting to see a Sumo tournament or even a morning Sumo practice is normally quite...Read More

Cosplay — the art of dressing up as characters from anime, manga, video games, TV shows, or any other media — has become a global phenomenon over the years. Once dressed in their cosplay, cosplayers attend conventions to take photos, enter competitions, or perform theatrical routines. The World Cosplay Summit is a perfect occasion to...Read More