Articles
Seasons
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Think of springtime in Japan and cherry blossoms come to mind. The sakura flower after all is the country’s national bloom. But after sakura season peaks from late March to early April, that’s when on...
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If you’re visiting Japan this time of year, especially in the countryside, you’re in for a treat. Filled with celebratory traditions and customs, the Japanese New Year is a wonderful season. This peri...
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Perhaps the leaves are still green when you crack open a bottle of hiya oroshi. Or you may be accepting a small porcelain cup of akiagari from a friend under flaming foliage and a full moon. Maybe, yo...
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The streets of Japan come alive with annual festivals and parades to mark the summer months, as locals and tourists alike relish in unbridled celebration. But as the balmy days of spring give way to s...
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Put your best foot forward — summer hiking in Japan’s countryside can’t be beat, especially in the high plateaus of northern Hokkaido and the mountains of Nakasendo Way. Walking from Asahidake Rop...
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Summers in Japan have always been about matsuri (festivals) and hanabi (fireworks), with exuberant dance processions and, literally, “flower-fire” (fireworks) displays. But with the soaring temperatur...
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If you are a parent in Japan, chances are you have a photograph of your child on the first day of school under a riot of pink cherry blossoms. The Japanese school year kicks off in early April,...
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Winter may have arrived in Japan but we can still look forward to many delicious and celebratory foods of the season. When the temperature drops, it’s the time to harvest hardier crops like cit...
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Autumn is truly a spectacle for the senses and the season for satiating all of your cravings. The feel of a cool, crisp day, after a sweltering summer. The crunch of leaves underneath your fee...
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Oh, sweet! Summertime in Japan can get fairly hot and humid. So, many people will often turn to chilled seasonal foods to help cool themselves down and even whet their appetite. And there are certai...
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Take a closer look at one of Japan’s most important customs, the Obon summer festival. Ah, summer in Japan! When the long school holidays come around and workers go on vacation, the season is r...
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Savour the freshest flavours during cherry blossom season. Japan has long taken seasonal cues from nature. Whether it is spring, summer, autumn or winter, each season has characteristics that a...
