Every autumn, as the summer heat fades and the skies become crystal clear, Nagoya embraces one of Japan’s most elegant seasonal traditions: Tsukimi, the Moon-Viewing Festival. Unlike the excitement of summer festivals, Tsukimi is about slowing down. Visitors can enjoy Japanese gardens, seasonal foods, illuminated temples, and peaceful moonlit evenings while experiencing a tradition that...Read More
Every summer, millions of people across Japan return to their hometowns, gather with family, visit ancestral graves, and dance beneath glowing lanterns. Trains fill up, highways become congested, and cities take on a quieter atmosphere as one of the country’s most meaningful holidays begins. Known as Obon, this centuries-old Buddhist tradition is a time to...Read More
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
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
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
