JAPAN TRAVEL
Shikoku Island's Oboke Iya Valley
They call the Oboke/Iya valley area of Tokushima prefecture “Hidden Japan”. It is very rural with small towns, rich in history, spectacular scenery, and difficult to get to.
When planning your trip I recommend you book the Bonnet Bus tour, rather tha...

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DEEP JAPAN
 
Ningyo-yaki - Japanese Sweets in Asakusa
Ningyo-yaki （人形焼） is very popular in Tokyo Asakusa where you can watch them being baked. This is one of my favorite Japanese sweets and a very good omiyage gift.
Ningyo is the Japanese word for doll, so the name of this sweet reads "baked...

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JAPAN TRAVEL
The colour of nobility
It was the most unexpected of homecomings. Over a decade ago, I literally put on the family crest, in the most formal embodiment of Japanese attire called kuro montsuki, in a wedding a block away from where I met my wife.
And now, I am at the home where this ga...

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JAPAN TRAVEL
Dance weekend in Tokyo
When: Nov 2nd - Nov 4th 2018 ,  5:00pm - 9:00pm
November might not be the month you first think of to see outdoor dance events, but after the hot months of summer, the cooler temperature is actually perfect and still warm enough to enjoy stunning dance performa...

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TRAVEL GAIJINPOT
One of western Japan’s oldest shrines
Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine (also known as Sumiyoshi Grand Shrine) is a sprawling shrine with picturesque grounds plucked from a storybook. One of Osaka‘s most famous shrines, it is the site of many of the nation’s most important religious rites ...

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JAPAN TRAVEL
Marvel at the giant hikiyama floats
Venue: Karatsu Shrine When: Nov 2nd - Nov 4th 2018 ,  9:30am - 5:30pm
For over 400 years, this autumn festival has been held at Karatsu Shrine and is one of Kyushu's major festival attractions. Highly decorated giant festival floats, known as hikiy...

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JAPAN TRAVEL
Discover the beautiful landscape of Mount Koya
Hidden high in the mountain tops among the lush and mysterious forests exists a spiritual world in Japan which feels very much alive. Mount Koya, or Koyasan as it is also known, is home to the origins of Shingon Buddhism and the spiritua...

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JAPAN TRAVEL
Engage in The Art of Tea-making and Get Historical and Cultural Insight by a Real Master of Tea Highlights Introduction about the history of Chado, tea, and tea utensilsWatch a traditional ceremony by a lecturer of Urasenke, one of the most famous schools of ChadoLearn how to make yo...

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JAPAN TRAVEL
Watch the most number of balloons in Asia appear by the Kase Riverside
Venue: Kase Riverside When: Oct 30th - Nov 6th 2018 ,  10:00am - 5:00pm
Held every autumn along the Kase River just outside Saga City, the Saga International Balloon Fiesta brings together hot air balloon enthusia...

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DEEP JAPAN
 
Taiga is the ramen shop in Asakusa you should visit when you are very hungry, tired, and need "chicken soup for your soul". The chicken soup that makes up the base for the ramen and tsukemen here is that good.
Choose from the ramen or tsukemen menu and decide how many noodles you wou...

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