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
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
Planning a trip to Japan this winter (December to February)?Make Nagoya, Aichi, and the Central Japan area your top destination for unforgettable winter experiences! From breathtaking snowscapes to seasonal festivals, local delicacies, and hidden gems, this region offers a perfect blend of tradition, nature, and culture. In this guide, we’ll show you the best spots...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
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
Planning a trip to Japan this autumn (September to November)?Make Nagoya, Aichi, and the Central Japan area your top destination for unforgettable autumn experiences! From breathtaking autumn foliage to seasonal festivals, local delicacies, and hidden gems, this region offers a perfect blend of tradition, nature, and culture. In this guide, we’ll show you the best...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
