Spring in Japan - DeepJapan

Advice about Spring

Azalea: Tsutsuji - Spring Flowers in Japan

Sakura is famous in the spring, but after the cherry blossom time in Japan another flower takes over. In April azaleas colour Tokyo with their bright flowers.When I read Chiara's post "Local Secret: YaNeSen" here I realised that she was describing places that I had just visited. "The stroll fro…(195 words)

David

Spring in Japan is cherry blossom season

Sakura – cherry blossom time“Sakura are all things cherry, everything cherry blossoms and cherry trees. Think of sakura as a season in Japan, the height of spring... Hanami, written with the characters for flower and to see, is just that: seeing the flowers. Taking a walk and looking at the che…(460 words)

DeepJapan

The Roof of Japan: where sakura bloom in Golden Week within 3 hours of Tokyo!

One of the top things that visitors from overseas want to see when they come to Japan is, of course, the sakura (cherry) blossoms. Timing as they say, is everything and this very much applies to sakura (cherry) blossoms. Sakura blossoms are ephemeral things: the blossoms only last a week and when …(542 words)

Phil

Hot Spring in Oedo Onsen

Enoshima Island Spa would be a great choice for you, and probably just in case when you want to try another spa closer to the Metropolitan area in Tokyo, I'd suggest you try Ooedo Onsen Monogatari Hot Spring (Literary meating; Tokyo Spa Story), which is located at Odaiba, in the Tokyo Bay. The be…(102 words)

Masa

Spring for HANAMI (cherry blossom viewing) has come !!

In Japan, we have a custom of enjoying changes in nature which occurred as the seasons progresses such as hanami (cherry blossom viewing), Tsukimi (moon viewing) and Yukimi (snow viewing). Hanami is a kind of party to celebrate the upcoming spring and it will be seen throughout the country from aro…(621 words)

fujimorison

Cherry blossoms: Sakura Time & Timing in Japan

Sakura 桜 are all things cherry, everything cherry blossoms and cherry trees. Think of sakura as a season in Japan, the height of spring. When will the cherry blossom start to open and how long will they last? This question is essential for hanami planning and discussed in detail in the media e…(345 words)

David

Smell the spring in the air!

Looks like we are up for some cold weather next week.Today was nice and warm in Hamamatsu.A cup of coffee in the morning and decided to take a walk in the nice weather.It's one of the things I like to do in the summer time but today seemed like a great day to start.I live on a small isl…(309 words)

Yuuki I

Wisteria: Fuji - Spring Flowers in Japan

Tokyo changes all the time, but there are a few places left that feel unchanged. Kameido Tenjin Shrine is a place like this. I was there today for the wisteria flower festival and it was like walking through the old print from "One Hundred Famous Views of Edo" by Utagawa Hiroshige. Wisteria flo…(154 words)

David

Fujiya Hotel: A Resort Hotel in Hakone, a Hot Spring Resort Outside Tokyo.

Have you ever seen that snowed in beautiful period piece hotel in the film "The Shining", where in the Winter months Jack Nicolson and his family are the lone caretakers of the hotel? Now can you imagine an hotel even more classic and beautiful, during the Spring and Summertime months, with no Nico…(517 words)

Andrew Grimes

Fujiya Hotel: A Resort Hotel in Hakone, a Hot Spring Resort Outside Tokyo.

Wherever you are in the Fujiya Hotel you are traveling through time, everyday time of course but eras of the passed times that this hotel has lived through since 1878.In Autumn it is mellow, warm daytimes and some of the most beautiful 'changes of the autumn leaves' you can ever hope to see. Al…(500 words)

Andrew Grimes

Spring is coming in Oku Nikko

Dave had been stocking up a stash of Belgian beers for several years. That’s right – years. A connoisseur was Dave; knew what he liked and savoured produce at its optimum. Mind you, the Dave that was, still is.He had been making lunchtime runs from work to the international supermarket, almost…(481 words)

scramjetmach9

Sumida Park Cherry Blossom Festival

A serendipitous location that is often overlooked, Sumida Park is located in the heart of the old shitamachi (downtown) tourist area of Tokyo. Most visitors miss this historic landmark. It is a perfect place for a break from the city, and only a short walk from the famous Sensoji temple complex.…(837 words)

Taito-kun

The Top 8 Places to Beat Summer Heat in Japan

Where do Japanese love to visit to avoid summer heat in Japan? I searched the top 8 summer resorts loved by Japanese including Furano in Hokkaido, Okinawa, Karuizawa and Hakone, which are famous among foreigners, but also some hidden places like Okutama, Kamikochi and Nasushiobara that you may not …(757 words)

Alexlovetravel

10 Helpful Tips For When You Go Into a Japanese Onsen

Are you getting ready to take a trip to an Onsen Hot Spring in Japan?As an onsen-loving Senpai, allow me to provide you a few tips on how to be absolutely prepared before braving the nakedness and initial awkwardness of your first Onsen adventure. Trust me, all of this knowledge has been gained…(1064 words)

2-Day Trip to Fujigoko (Five Lakes of Mt. Fuji) in winter 1/3

What do you think about visiting Mt. Fuji in winter and enjoy snow and Japanese high quality Omotenashi? Most people climb or visit Mt. Fuji during either spring or summer time. Unless you really love mountain climbing, many of you might want to have something extra besides Mt. Fuji viewing. For th…(1090 words)

ZEROIN -INTERNSHIP

Senso-ji Temple's Secret Japanese Garden in Asakusa

Senso-ji in Asakusa Tokyo is famous for its tall pagoda, red gates, and huge lanterns, but the temple also has a fantastic Japanese garden. It lies hidden, closed to the public together with Dembou-in, the residency of the temple's head priest. In the spring, the garden is open to visitors. M…(291 words)

David

Ordering Tips At A Yakitori Shop 101

Yakitori is a popular food both in and outside of Japan. Grilled Chicken on skewers are just the perfect comfort food or snack epecially after a good hard day of work. Back in America there were plenty of Japanese restaurants that have “Yakitori” on the menu, and it’s a popular menu item.Come t…(375 words)

Japanista

Hanami at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo

The Japanese garden at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo is one of the best places to see all kinds of Japanese flowers throughout the year. Of course, it is also an excellent place to see sakura - cherry blossoms.The first picture is from the Ninomaru Japanese garden. You can always visit this beau…(308 words)

David

Japanese sweets : “Tansan Senbei”

Thin and round carbonic acid rice cracker is mainly made of flour. They really melt in your mouth and taste slightly sweet. They are famous confections of Arima hot springs located in Hyogo prefecture. Arima Onsen is the hot spring loved by Hideyoshi Toyotomi, a famous historical personage in Japa…(66 words)

Hideki Tazawa

The interesting relationship between Japanese culture and sweet, delicious strawberries

Strawberries are one of the many fruits produced all over the world. Strawberries are also produced in Japan, and Japanese strawberries tend to be very sweet and it is possible to eat them raw. One small bite of these strawberries will lead to an expansion of sweetness in your mouth.Generally s…(324 words)

DeepJapan Editor

Hanami Dango (Three-color dumpling)

Sanshoku Dango (dango of three colors)is a skewered dango formed of one pink dumpling, one non-colored white dumpling and one green dumpling. Each color has a meaning : cherry blossom in spring, snow in winter and grass in summer. Wagashi (Japanese sweets) is one of the wonderful Japanese culture d…(67 words)

Hideki Tazawa

Koiwai, the Disneyland of Dairy Farms in Japan

Running across the open and perfectly manicured grass field, I was delighted that Koiwai Farms is not just about cows. We were there on a business trip trying to help the town of Shizukuishi uncover jewels of interest for visiting international guests. Let me tell you, there were plenty.My …(1121 words)

The many different ways to get to Kusatsu

Kusatsu is less frequented by foreign visitors given that it doesn’t have a train station, never mind a bullet train stop. That isolation is one of the reasons Kusatsu has managed to maintain its special atmosphere, but for those that want to go there it’s actually not difficult to get to.On my…(535 words)

AndrewShuttleworth

Kusatsu Onsen: Rated No.1 of Japan’s 100 Best Hot Springs for 12 consecutive years !

Kusatsu Onsen in Gumma Prefecture is known as one of Japan's three best hot springs. By the way, Arima in Hyogo Prefecture and Gero in Gifu Prefecture are the other two locations. These three were originally described by a priest in the classical poetry anthologies of Shokoku-ji Temple in Murom…(530 words)

ZEROIN -INTERNSHIP

Japan's Hidden Onsen

Japan’s Hidden Hot SpringsYokoso! Welcome!Japan is a country consisting of 4 main islands; Honshu (main Island), to the North is Hokkaido (Northern Sea Island), Shikoku (Fourth Country) and Kyushu (Nine Provinces). There are hundreds of smaller islands that lie in Japan’s territories. T…(542 words)

scramjetmach9

Minami Boso Penninsula, Chiba

The other day I took a trip to the Minami Boso area of Chiba which is a great place to visit for a day trip from Tokyo. Jump on the bus from Tokyo Station for the scenic 90 minute ride through the city, over the famous Rainbow Bridge, and the unique Aqua Line expressway to the south of the Chiba Pe…(414 words)

Adstev73

Bakery & Table HAKONE

Great food, service and views!We happened to pass by this place and walked in. But it turned out to be excellent! We grabbed a couple of pastry with a bottle of milk and sat outside enjoying the view of the Ashi Lake. You can take off your shoes and socks at the outside table and soak your bare…(131 words)

EmiOnishi

Nagashi-Somen, Delicious Noodles in Japan

One of the best things I like about Japan is that the 4-season weather system is clearly reflected in the culture. In fall, you enjoy the changing colors and the sanma. Winter is for oranges in a warm kotatsu at home. Spring, is of course SAKURA. Summer has multiple cultural highlights too. Waterme…(286 words)

GenS

Sake Brewery Visit in Shisui, Chiba

Have you ever visited Shisui （酒々井）town near Narita city in Chiba? The place is named after a popular story about a well （井戸）where sake （酒）seemed to have sprang up. There is a long established (300 years old) sake brewery in the beautiful rice field countryside. Please visit the brew house …(189 words)

Hatha Yoga Lover

Super Hero Action Show

The "Super Sentai" series has been one of Japan's longest action TV programs for children. It started in the early 70s, with new characters featured every year.Since 1971, the Tokyo Dome City (previously Korakuen) has hosted a Hero Action Show, that features the latest Super Sentai Action hero…(133 words)

mikekato

Yozakura - cherry blossoms at night

Sakura （桜） is Japanese for cherry blossom. Yozakura （夜桜） is written with the characters for night and sakura and means viewing cherry blossoms at night. Sakura looks beautiful in the evening with the right lighting. Try both, a cherry blossom picnic during the day and an evening visit to fully e…(335 words)

David

Kusatsu Onsen, one of Kanto, Japan’s less discovered gems

I recently visited Kusatsu for Deep Japan with the goal of re-discovering the magic of this mountain town that is consistently ranked as one of Japan’s best hot spring resorts. It was my visit to the town and it remains one of my top destinations in Japan. In this series of five articles I’ll cover…(542 words)

AndrewShuttleworth

Seeing Kusatsu’s Yumomi Ceremony Live

The hot spring water that flows throughout Kusatsu comes from deep within the earth and, as a result, is very, very hot. Between 51 and 94 degrees Celsius to be exact. You may be wondering how this water is cooled. Adding cold water?One of the ways the water is brought to a comfortable temperat…(345 words)

Petra

The Best Spa in Japan

Enoshima Island Spa is located just outside Tokyo (direct ride on the Romance Car from Shinjuku Station..60 to 70 minutes). This ancient healing spot is just off the Shonan Coast and you take a 10 minute walk over the bridge to the island itself. The spa entrance fee of 2,650 yen gives you access t…(136 words)

Yubara Onsen (Valentine Special)

If you're looking for a special way to spend Valentine's Day in the Chugoku region, how about a trip up to Yubara Onsen? Located in Maniwa City, Yubara is Okayama Prefecture's most well-known hot spring town, and is situated along the Asahi River and next to the Yubara Dam.Yubara is a hot sprin…(271 words)

Andrea Miyata

How to Survive the Rainy Season in Japan

The rainy season in Japan is not very long. It is basically the month of June, beginning in early June and ending usually by July. The coming of the rainy season marks the end of Spring and its end marks the beginning of summer. In comparison to Spring, not only does it rain much more frequently du…(100 words)

GenS

Only 2 hours from Kyoto. Enjoy snow and eating crabs in the Onsen resort founded 1,300 years ago

Kinosaki Onsen has a beautiful and nostalgic view with rows of willow trees along a little river. There are at most 7 public baths in the area and you can casually visit and enjoy them even without staying over at the local ryokan Inns. They are called "sotoyu"(open air bath) which is opposite of "…(424 words)

Eddie

Onsens and Outdoors in Kusatsu

Ranked for last 12 years straight as one of the Top 100 onsens in Japan, it really is for the onsens that visitors come to Kusatsu. There are public onsens and of course ryokan and resort hotels with their private onsens. A few of the the famous public onsens are Sainokawahara （西の河原露天風呂）…(307 words)

Alana

Quick and easy things to do in Yokohama #13

Honmoku Sancho Park is a massive oasis of flora and quiet located in western Naka-ku. Comprised of several connecting hilltops with a plethora of trees and grassy lawns, the park explodes with colour in the spring. It's a perfect place, if not one of the best, to enjoy the sights and sounds of Hana…(407 words)

Former Deep Japan Writer

Shopping Seasonal Japan - Limited Edition Products

“Spring passes and one remembers one's innocence.Summer passes and one remembers one's exuberance.Autumn passes and one remembers one's reverence.Winter passes and one remembers one's perseverance.” ― Yoko OnoOne of the many things I love about Japan is its distinctive four seasons. You…(259 words)

Former Deep Japan Writer

Spring春[ Haru ]

Advice about Spring