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Winter Fruit: Strawberries! images

Winter Fruit: Strawberries!

Best Winter Fruit: Strawberries!The strawberries that are grown in Japan are different varieties than those grown in my home country (U.S.A) and are super large and super sweet! Whereas American strawberries are grown in fields, Japanese strawberries are grown in elevated beds in vinyl greenhou…(221 words)

Andrea Miyata image

Andrea Miyata

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

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 image

ZEROIN -INTERNSHIP

Thousands of lanterns being launched into the winter night sky is a fantastic spectacle images

Thousands of lanterns being launched into the winter night sky is a fantastic spectacle

Various festivals and processions are held periodically in Japan to ask various deities to keep people free from disease and bodily harm. Sky lanterns are featured prominently in one of these festivals. Participants write their wishes on lanterns resembling small hot air balloons. These lanterns ar…(283 words)

DeepJapan Editor image

DeepJapan Editor

Tokyo Skytree Winter Illumination & Events images

Tokyo Skytree Winter Illumination & Events

Tokyo Skytree and Tokyo Solamachi are illuminated beautifully in the winter. Tall Skytree itself shines every evening of the year in changing colors and now the big Solamachi shopping mall at its base is also sparkling with lights and decorations.I took a walk around Solamachi to see the Tokyo …(450 words)

David image

David

Blue Cave Nakameguro the newest spot for winter Illuminations images

Blue Cave Nakameguro the newest spot for winter Illuminations

Winter means many things to many people and this vibrant holiday season is full of different traditions from all parts of the globe. In modern Japan- the winter holidays leading up to Christmas time involve the sparkling and over-the-top tradition of Illuminations. From across Japan cities add …(393 words)

LShannon image

LShannon

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

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

This festival also offers not only ice trees but also Japanese traditional performance such as “Wadaiko” (Japanese drums) and lively “Yosaki” modern dancing performance. Also you can experience “Mochi-tsuki“(pounding boiled rice into mochi). So, it is a great festival where you can experience sever…(685 words)

ZEROIN -INTERNSHIP image

ZEROIN -INTERNSHIP

Driving to Kusatsu images

Driving to Kusatsu

It’s sometimes easy to forget that Japan, with all its grinding work hours, high tech wizardry and futuristic architecture, can also offer spectacular vistas and natural phenomena. To witness this transformation when urban, turns to suburban and then downright country, we drove from the sea in Shon…(291 words)

Alana image

Alana

Takatsue Winter Wonderland One-night Onsen Trip images

Takatsue Winter Wonderland One-night Onsen Trip

I wanted a quick overnight getaway from Tokyo to experience some nature instead of heading to crowded tourist areas. Takatsue Ski resort in Fukushima is relatively close to Tokyo, only about 170 minutes Tohoku Shinkansen, and is not just for skiing. All four seasons offer many seasonal activities l…(812 words)

DeepJapan Editor image

DeepJapan Editor

Strawberries in winter of course! images

Strawberries in winter of course!

I have always wondered why you find strawberries in winter only in Japan!Of course, you do need them to decorate your whipped cream Christmas cake. It is a must but it should not be the only reason!In Belgium, where I come from, strawberries are a summer time delicacy. You start picking the…(109 words)

Claire image

Claire

Winter time is Nabe Time! images

Winter time is Nabe Time!

Don't like to cook but like to eat tasty Japanese food.If you haven't already you should try Japanese nabe.It's simple to make and there is wide verity of tastes available.In the winter time there will be a Nabe corner at almost any supermarket.They are in a large liquid bag. Popular tast…(114 words)

Yuuki I image

Yuuki I

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

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

9:50 Departed from the hotel10:00 Visited ITCHIKU KUBOTA Art Museum10:39 Got on a local bus11:00 Arrived at Mt. Fuji Station. Shopping at Q-STA within the station building 11:30 Got on a local bus, Moved to Lake Yamanaka11:53 Arrived at Hotel Mt. FUJI 12:00 Lunch at Restaurant…(807 words)

ZEROIN -INTERNSHIP image

ZEROIN -INTERNSHIP

Senmo Trip "White Winter Fantasy" images

Senmo Trip "White Winter Fantasy"

“Winter is a season of recovery and rest,” wrote Paul Theroux, travel writer and novelist. But for Hokkaido, it is only just waking up. Once the snow has covered its vastness, the drift ice arrives, bringing along with it wildlife guests and natural marvels you will rarely glimpse elsewhere. As for…(747 words)

DeepJapan Editor image

DeepJapan Editor

The warm seat during the Winter gives a comfortable glow to your day images

The warm seat during the Winter gives a comfortable glow to your day

One of the features of the special toilet seat is the heating element. Many houses in Japan don't have central heating so other than where you spend the most time the rooms are left cold in the house. Except, when you go to the restroom and sit down on the bidet seat. It is a pleasant surprise to h…(158 words)

AustinA image

AustinA

Hanami Dango (Three-color dumpling) images

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)

OKAKI-sun image

OKAKI-sun

Shopping Seasonal Japan - Limited Edition Products images

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 image

Former Deep Japan Writer

Setsubun - Ehomaki culture images

Setsubun - Ehomaki culture

"Setsubun" is the day before the beginning of Spring in Japan and it's on February 3rd every year. A long sushi roll is eaten on the night of Setsubun while facing toward the year's "lucky" direction. This custom originally started in the Kansai area. With your eyes closed, we wish for perfect …(184 words)

EmiOnishi image

EmiOnishi

“Oshiruko” can make you hot from the core of your body! images

“Oshiruko” can make you hot from the core of your body!

“Oshiruko” is one of the most popular winter foods in winter. Oshiruko is a sweet red-bean soup with mochi or shira-tama (rice‐flour dumplings). It tastes very sweet and keeps you warm especially during cold season where people consume energy a lot. Some people enjoy putting “Arare” (very small ri…(58 words)

OKAKI-sun image

OKAKI-sun

Great traditional Japanese Winter Snack!! Yaki Mochi. もーやいちゃう images

Great traditional Japanese Winter Snack!! Yaki Mochi. もーやいちゃう

Here's a way to eat mochi that's been passed down generations. In the winter time many Japanese homes use a Stove to heat their rooms.Some keep a kettle on top to keep the room humid.These stoves can also be used to make Yaki Mochi.Get some aluminum foil and place it on top of the Stove…(99 words)

Yuuki I image

Yuuki I

The World's Largest Uniqlo Store in Japan images

The World's Largest Uniqlo Store in Japan

The world's largest Uniqlo (Japan's largest and most popular clothing brand) store opened recently in Ginza on the main shopping street. I happened to pass by the other day and could not stop myself from stepping in, stupefied by the sheer size. The store has 12 floors and sells pretty much every p…(196 words)

GenS image

GenS

Yuzuyu (bathing with Yuzu) in winter. images

Yuzuyu (bathing with Yuzu) in winter.

There are a lot of customs in Japan and many of them are associated with healthy life. One of the examples is the yuzu bath in winter, known commonly as yuzuyu. It is said to improve blood circulation, guard against colds, warm the body, and cure neuralgia and pain in the lower back. I hope you wil…(96 words)

OKAKI-sun image

OKAKI-sun

Yokohama's "Akarenga Soko" Red Brick Warehouse images

Yokohama's "Akarenga Soko" Red Brick Warehouse

The "Akarenga Soko" Red Brick Warehouse is one of Yokohama's most popular destinations for both tourists and locals alike. It's a great place to enjoy a walk or small picnic, or just sit around and stare at the sea. Because of its large open spaces, Akarenga is often the site for events - so there'…(202 words)

Former Deep Japan Writer image

Former Deep Japan Writer

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

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 image

ZEROIN -INTERNSHIP

Tenkara Fishing – From Ancient Japan to A Popular Sport With 80 Outlets in the United States images

Tenkara Fishing – From Ancient Japan to A Popular Sport With 80 Outlets in the United States

On a summer hike with a family friend in Winter Park, Colorado, we meandered into a conversation about Japan, my home for 29 years. Wow, Japan! That is so great! Tenkara is one of my favorite fishing styles! I love it!” My Cousin’s best friend’s husband from Boulder Colorado lit up with excitement …(953 words)

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Quick and easy things to do in Yokohama #14 images

Quick and easy things to do in Yokohama #14

Summer time means trips to the beaches and swims in the ocean, but the Yokohama International Swimming Pool is open all year long. It's also one of the the biggest and most beautiful pool facilities in Japan, and is an internationally approved 50-meter swimming and diving pool. The Yokohama Int…(152 words)

Former Deep Japan Writer image

Former Deep Japan Writer

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

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 image

Andrew Grimes

Japan Train Station “Tachigui Sobaya” (Soba Restaurant) images

Japan Train Station “Tachigui Sobaya” (Soba Restaurant)

As you may know, one of the most used modes of transportation in japan is the train. In the midst of your travel, I am fairly confident that you’ve come across a small “Soba” (noodle) shop within the train station. The first thought I had in my mind was how traditional this establishment is for…(552 words)

AustinA image

AustinA

The Silk Museum A specialized silk museum that is out of the ordinary images

The Silk Museum A specialized silk museum that is out of the ordinary

The port of Yokohama has developed dramatically together with raw silk, and at the same time the silk thread industry has supported the Japanese economy. The Silk Museum was established in 1959 as part of the events commemorating the 100th anniversary of the opening of the port of Yokohama. Current…(734 words)

Kanagawa P.G.T.D. image

Kanagawa P.G.T.D.

Sake should drink hot or cold? images

Sake should drink hot or cold?

When you try sake, many people have image to have”Hot sake”(atsukan) butmost good sake should be enjoyed slightly chilled. Cheaper sake is served warm.Also If it’s cold winter, you would like to have hot sake to get warm.There are grade of sake. It’s call Daiginjo is the highest quality (ve…(108 words)

yukorose image

yukorose

To avoid spreading germs and to protect from seasonal pollen images

To avoid spreading germs and to protect from seasonal pollen

In Japan a surgical mask is generally used when people get sick. It is common to see many people wearing such a mask during winter. In Japan, people are sensitive about coughing in trains or in areas with a high number of people. So those who wear masks don't want to spread their germs and don't wa…(125 words)

yukiroryo image

yukiroryo

Making Mochi by Hand for New Years images

Making Mochi by Hand for New Years

My family always makes handmade mochi at the end of the year. It turns in to party that starts at about 6:00am when we start to steam the mochi-rice. My father-in-law always hands me a beer and all the men stand outside waiting for the rice to be ready for a pounding. My wife and mother-in-law wise…(383 words)

Jeff Aasgaard image

Jeff Aasgaard

Railway rules - “Mutual Cooperation Culture” in Japanese commuter trains images

Railway rules - “Mutual Cooperation Culture” in Japanese commuter trains

Rush hours are extreme in Tokyo as well as Japan's other major cities. In order to make this brutal moment of every day less stressful, both commuters and train companies are making invisible efforts.During the morning rush hours, people will get in line and stand in a queue. They will get on train…(449 words)

yumin image

yumin

Japan Bible Home - Perfect Getaway place from Tokyo! images

Japan Bible Home - Perfect Getaway place from Tokyo!

Most people know Minakami for skiing in winter, water sports in summer and bungee-jumping. It is a good place to make a one day trip from Tokyo and you can find a lot of economical ski lots and eating places. However, in summer this year I visited this place tucked away in the mountains and I w…(460 words)

Biju Paul image

Biju Paul

I opened a wine bar in Tokyo images

I opened a wine bar in Tokyo

I recently opened a wine bar in the Omotesando area of Tokyo, a very stylish area of the city. I'd like to post a brief outline of the process I went through in establishing the bar below. The property I sourced the property through a friend. It is a two storey building, built in the late…(833 words)

Adstev73 image

Adstev73

The Best Spa in Japan images

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)

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Much Mochi images

Much Mochi

Mochi - rice cakes - can be eaten anytime of the year, but many people like to enjoy toasted mochi during the colder months. Wrap a strip of nori (pressed seaweed) around the mochi, bruch a bit of soy sauce on it, and pop it in the over toaster (do NOT use a western style toaster - you'll ruin it)…(339 words)

Joe Peters image

Joe Peters

Yaikagashi (burn and smell) at Setsubun images

Yaikagashi (burn and smell) at Setsubun

On Setsubun day (February 3rd), there is a culture to make "Yaikagashi" (a holly sprig with a baked sardine's head). Japanese people have a time-honored custom of putting this "Yaikagashi"at their door on Setsubun (the traditional end of winter) to ward off evil spirits. They may look a little bit …(73 words)

OKAKI-sun image

OKAKI-sun

Ginza Ogura at Haneda Airport images

Ginza Ogura at Haneda Airport

Haneda’s international terminal has an impressive selection of good restaurants in a nicely designed area called the Edo Market Place, although they are all relatively expensive. Once you check in your luggage, you will have free time to wonder and have a meal before boarding the plane. You may…(233 words)

EmiOnishi image

EmiOnishi

Enoshima - "Jewel of Shonan" Festival images

Enoshima - "Jewel of Shonan" Festival

Enoshima Island has been lit up for the "Jewel of Shonan" Festival, with delightful night time illuminations at various locations, including the Sea Candle Lighthouse, Samuel Cocking Garden, some of the local cafes and restaurants. It is chosen as one of the three major illumination spots in the Ka…(263 words)

EmiOnishi image

EmiOnishi

Interesting Japan: Washlets, things that make you go hmmm!? images

Interesting Japan: Washlets, things that make you go hmmm!?

I was inspired to write this quick post when I learned that the other day (November 19) was United Nations World Toilet Day.http://www.bbc.com/news/in-pictures-34867488After looking at the pictures in the BBC article, I reflected on how fortunate we are in Japan because of our washlets. For…(272 words)

Former Deep Japan Writer image

Former Deep Japan Writer

Showa Kinen Park in Tachikawa City Just outside Tokyo is a lovely place to Play in Japan! images

Showa Kinen Park in Tachikawa City Just outside Tokyo is a lovely place to Play in Japan!

Try the Showa Kinen Park in Tachikawa City, it takes approximately 40mins by the JR Chuo Line from Shinjuku station to Tachikawa station. The 163 hectares park has seasonal flowering plants all year round, it also has great cycling and jogging track as well as BBQ facilities. Be sure to visit its C…(88 words)

cwljwc image

cwljwc