Category Archives: Japan Travel Blog

Cherry Blossom Season in Japan

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From late March to mid April the Cherry Blossom in Japan is a sight to behold. Visitors flock from all over the world to marvel in this magnificent natural event.

Known as ‘Hanami’ (flower viewing), there are various things you can do to ensure you enjoy the experience to the full:

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Valentine’s Day in Japan

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Japanese Valentine’s Day is not like the others. Valentine’s Day is the day for Japanese women to get creative and present gifts to men. Back in the 1950s, the act of women confessing their feelings was considered radical and taboo (and sometimes still is). Valentine’s Day was established so that it was acceptable for women to take a risk and confess their feelings in Japan. There is a strong tradition of women giving chocolates to men on Valentine’s Day, which sees Japanese women preparing the Honmei-choco by themselves as many of them think it is not true love if they just buy readymade chocolate in shops. However, women do not only give chocolate to their lovers, they also give chocolate to their male colleagues, bosses, close male friends and even their father and brothers. This is called Giri choco with no romance involved. It is a practice that’s intended to show appreciation to co-workers, and is given just for friendship or gratitude. Men will then return the favour a month later on White Day (14th March).

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The MUST GO Lavender Farms in Hokkaido

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You may have wandered around some of the beautiful lavender farms in England and France, absorbing the fragrant aroma’s, but did you know that there are lavender farms in Hokkaido, Japan, that you really should visit on any summer journey to this fascinating country.  The best time to go is in July,  when the lavender in Furano is in full bloom. Stroll around the picturesque fields, with your camera at the ready for some great photo opportunities. The lavender ice creams sold at Farm Tomita, are a must for anyone with a sweet tooth, especially on a hot summers day, they are cool and delicious. While you are there, why not treat yourself to a Yubari King melon flavoured soft ice cream, a famous top grade melon in Japan which was sold at auction for 3 million yen (about £21,500) for a pair earlier this year!

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Rugby World Cup 2019 in Japan

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Rugby World Cup 2019 in Japan is going to be held from 20th September to 2nd November!
20 nations will gather in Japan for the rugby’s world most important event that holds once every four years! Japan is the first Asian country to host such grand tournament in Rugby. We are very excited and cannot wait for all these big sporting events that are happening in Asia… 2017 Japan Formula 1 Grand Prix, 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympic, 2019 Rugby World Cup Japan, 2020 Tokyo Olympic and 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic etc…

The venues of the Rugby have all been announced and are as follows:

  • Sapporo Dome, Sapporo City
  • Kamaishi Recovery Memorial Stadium, Iwate Prefecture/Kamaishi City
  • Kumagaya Rugby Ground, Saitama Prefecture/Kumagaya City
  • New National Stadium Japan, Tokyo
  • International Stadium Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture/Yokohama City
  • Ogasayama Sports Park Ecopa Stadium, Shizuoka Prefecture
  • Toyota Stadium, Aichi Prefecture/Toyota City
  • Hanazono Rugby Stadium, Osaka Prefecture/Higashi Osaka City
  • Kobe City Misaki Park Stadium, Kobe City
  • Hakatanomori Football Stadium, Fukuoka City
  • Kumamoto Prefectural Athletic Stadium, Kumamoto Prefecture/Kumamoto City
  • Oita Stadium, Oita Prefecture

The pool draw results are out today 10th May 2017 at Kyoto. 20 qualified teams have been divided into four pools of 5 teams to play against each other.

The Draw
Pool A Pool B Pool C Pool D
Band 1 Ireland New Zealand England Australia
Band 2 Scotland South Africa France Wales
Band 3 Japan Italy Argentina Georgia
Band 4 Europe 1 Africa 1 Americas 1 Oceania 1
Band 5 Play-off winner Repechage winner Oceania 2 Americas 2

 

Discover the UNESCO Historic Villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama

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Immerse yourself into the folk lives of UNESCO Shirakawa-go and Gokayama villages

Best view from the Ogimachi Castle ruins view point

The historic villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama were registered as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1995. The 114 farmhouses are famous for preserving the traditional Gassho-zukuri style houses with their iconic ‘A’ shaped thatched roofs, built without nails, some of which are more than 300 years old.

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Cherry Blossom Varieties You will see in Japan right now

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Which cherry blossom varieties are blooming right now?

It is the middle of the cherry blossom blooming period.

The forecast from the Japan Weather Association indicates that next week is going to be full bloom in Kanto (e.g. Tokyo), Chubu (e.g. Nagoya) , Kansai (e.g. Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe, Nara), Chugoku (e.g. Hiroshima) and Shikoku area (e.g. Matsuyama).

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Top 3 foods you must bring to Hanami (Cherry Blossom picnic)

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With the cherry blossom months approaching, people in Japan are excited to be preparing their annual hanami party (picnic party). Most people start to check the cherry blossom forecast to find out the best time and place to have a picnic under the full bloomed cherry blossom tree and prepare the food to bring to the party. It is a tradition for people to gather for food, drinks, dance and playing games while enjoying the scenery and letting the natural floral fragrance refresh people senses.

There are 3 foods that you must not miss out on and they are traditionally accompanied with sake and  green tea.

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Cherry Blossom Forecast in Japan 2017

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Cherry Blossom Forecast in Japan 2017
29/03/17 Updates

Are you wondering when is the best time to visit Japan for it’s cherry blossom season?
Check out the Forecast table below for more information for your journey.

Geography Facts: Japan is made up with 4 main islands: Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku and Kyushu( listed from north to south)

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