Some festivals in Japan end with fireworks. Not the Toyohashi Gion Festival; this one starts with people holding them. And not the safe, distant kind launched from a riverbank, we’re talking about bamboo tubes packed with gunpowder, cradled under one arm while columns of fire explode into the night sky. It sounds slightly unhinged. It...Read More
Rainy season in Japan gets a bad reputation. People hear the word “rain” and immediately imagine canceled plans, gray skies, and spending days stuck indoors. But the rainy season in Nagoya can be one of the most underrated times to visit Japan. From early June to mid-July, the city slows down in the best possible...Read More
Some festivals in Japan are loud. Others are celebratory in a quieter way. The Arimatsu Shibori Tie-Dye Festival in Nagoya is the second kind, a colorful summer event celebrating over 400 years of Japanese textile craftsmanship in one of the city’s most beautiful historic districts. No giant floats. No deafening crowds. Just an entire neighborhood...Read More
Some festivals in Japan hit you over the head with spectacle. Others, like the Wakamiya Festival, are easier to miss. Which is strange, because this one has 17th-century mechanical puppets, a shrine older than most countries, and a location right in the middle of the city. And yet, unless you already know it’s happening, you’ll...Read More
Japan is often seen as a futuristic, highly organized destination, but when it comes to accessibility, the reality is more nuanced. For disabled travelers, the experience can range from impressively accommodating to unexpectedly challenging. The good news? Cities like Nagoya are actively working to close that gap. And, in many ways, they’re leading the charge....Read More
Why Fermentation Matters in Japan (and Aichi) If you want to understand Japanese food culture, fermentation is one of the best places to start. Across Japan, fermentation is more than just a cooking technique, it’s a tradition that has shaped the way people eat for centuries. From savory miso soups to delicate soy sauces and...Read More
If you’ve ever wondered when Japan collectively decides to log off, pack a bag, and disappear into the countryside (or flood the nearest theme park), the answer is this: Golden Week. It’s not a single holiday. It’s not even technically a full week. But somehow, it becomes one of the most important (and chaotic) times...Read More
There is a lot of misunderstanding as to what exactly a geisha is, and although the image of geisha may have been able to shed a lot of these misconceptions over time, many may still associate geisha with the idea of “comfort women”, which they most certainly are not. We’d like to guide you through...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
The Japanese have a peculiar relationship to religion. Most people identify as both Shinto and Buddhist, or nothing at all. Still following rituals of either, depending on the occasion. Weddings are often Shinto, burials almost exclusively Buddhist. They also like to sprinkle in Christian holidays like Christmas for good measure. Because of this very inclusive...Read More
