Summer in Nagoya is not for the faint of heart. It’s hot, humid, and intense, but also one of the most exciting times to visit. As the temperatures rise, the city transforms into a festival playground filled with fireworks, street food, dancing, and late-night events. Is Nagoya worth visiting in summer?Yes, if you plan smart....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
Every February, a rather unique festival is held in the Owari Okunitama Jinja Shrine in Inazawa that would make even your grandmother blush! This festival is known as the Konomiya Hadaka Matsuri or Konomiya Naked Festival, and as the name suggests, men will do the Full Monty as they brave the cold and treat the...Read More
Nagoya, like much of Japan, truly embraces the Christmas season with stunning illuminations and festive winter events throughout December. One of the highlights of winter in Nagoya is the breathtaking illuminations that begin in mid-November and often last until January or even February. These light displays create a magical atmosphere that’s hard to miss. In...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
There are two sides to Gamagori, a coastal city 40 minutes away from Nagoya. On the one hand, it’s a popular seaside and hot spring resort where people come to relax and enjoy the smell of ocean air, the water scenery, rocky beaches, nature hikes, and fresh seafood. On the other hand, it also has...Read More
Summer is finally here, and with the arrival of the hot weather, we are ready to have some fun! Japanese summers are synonymous with incredible festivals. In particular, summer inspires some of the most stunning natsu matsuri (summer festivals), featuring obon dances and spectacular fireworks displays. Everyone dresses up in their most beautiful yukata and...Read More
A fairy tale might not have been what you were expecting when you opened this blog post, but we will tell you one anyway. It is a story of gods and love. Orihime, the sewing princess, and daughter of the Sky King, was sewing beautiful clothes by the Heavenly River, known to us as the...Read More
Of the roughly 70 festivals each year held at Atsuta Shrine, the Atsuta Festival (Atsuta Matsuri or shobu-sai) is by far the biggest and most important. This festival is held every June 5th and signals the arrival of summer. Summer in Japan is the season of summer festivals and fireworks! Atsuta Jingu, also called Atsuta-san...Read More