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Enjoy the rich history of Tokyo's Senju-shuku district with its traditional festival and the tale of Adachihime
This winter, the residents of Kita-Senju, Tokyo, will celebrate 400 years of history, tradition, and culture at a special event in the former post town of Senju-shuku.
The festivities will take place on December 18 and 19, 2024 at Jigenji Temple, Tokyo Arts Center, and rojicoya. Special programming for foreign visitors is available.
The main venue is historic Jigenji Temple. There, participants will enjoy martial arts, the sounds of koto zither and shinobue bamboo flutes, the glow of jiguchi andon lanterns, and impressive shishimai lion dances. Spend the day reveling intraditional performing arts and Senju's local charm.
At night fall, an opera based on the local legend of Adachihime will be performed. This historic tale will be brought to life on stage with song and dance to transport the audience into a world of fantasy.
A newly-developed Japanese tea beer, named ""Adachihime,"" will also be offered at this event. It is fermented with Japanese tea and has hints of cherry blossom flavor.
*Sales of Adachihime beer and samurai, koto, and tsugaru-shamisen programs are offered year-round at rojicoya (reservation required). -
Experience Edo period culture with nighttime cherry blossom viewing at Kinugawa Onsen
Nighttime cherry blossom viewing and hot spring banquets are a long-cherished pastime in Japan. Experience what life was like for the townspeople of Edo at Kinugawa Onsen's ""Kinugawa Kaleidoscope"" nighttime cherry blossom light display, or put yourself in the shoes of an upper-class samurai during Edo Wonderland's special nighttime hours.
Special seating will be arranged for the nighttime cherry blossom light display. Participants will also get the chance to carry a portable mikoshi shrine and play traditional hayashi music. At Edo Wonderland, participants can take a special ride on a yakatabune, a traditional Japanese pleasure boat used for dinner parties.
Shuttle buses and taxis run between the hotel, Kinugawa Onsen, and Edo Wonderland, so feel free to sit back and enjoy each event at your own leisure! Local sake will be provided at the banquet. -
Make one last memory before you leave Japan at this cherry-blossom festival near Kansai International Airport!
1. When the regular festival comes to a close, special box seats will be set up to allow participants to enjoy gourmet cuisine beneath the cherry blossoms. The meal includes Naniwa wagyu beef, which was served at the 2019 G20 Osaka Summit, and sake from Naniwa Sake Brewery, the oldest brewery in Osaka.
2. In addition, there will be 10 days worth of other food-focused events that showcase the delicacies of Hannan. Enjoy the cherry blossoms with light snacks on a special eat-while-you-walk tour.
3. A nighttime event at Jifukuji Temple with a special light display that artfully illuminates the temple's large weeping cherry tree. Complete with reserved seating and a sake tasting held by Naniwa Sake Brewery. -
Yokohama Sakura & Geisha Cruising
In Japan, there is a tradition of enjoying unique seasonal sights and sounds: cherry blossoms in spring, fireworks and cicadas in summer, colored leaves and the harvest moon in autumn, and snow in winter.
On this special tour, you will ride a traditional yakatabune boat with Yokohama Geisha to enjoy Yokohama’s spring pastime of viewing cherry blossoms at night.
The Ōoka River is one of the most popular cherry blossom viewing spots in Yokohama, and is the perfect place for a cruise. In addition to the trees in full bloom, you can enjoy petals floating on the water’s surface and dancing in the wind like a snowstorm.
The cherry blossoms are not the only riverside sight. The nighttime view of the modern port city of Yokohama is bound to impress with its giant Ferris wheel, Marine Tower, Yokohama Landmark Tower, and other Minato Mirai waterfront structures.
The cruise will serve a unique blend of Japanese and Western cuisine that is befitting of Japan's first modern international trading port. The fresh seafood is sourced from Yokohama and other nearby fishing ports. Local alcoholic beverages such as Yokohama beer and wine will also be served.
Since the opening of Yokohama’s port, the Yokohama Geisha have served foreign guests and developed skills in foreign languages, Western dinner etiquette, and playing Western instruments such as flute and piano. They respect traditional culture but are not bound by it, thereby offering a unique blend of stylish Japanese and Western hospitality in this dinner party on a yakatabune boat. -
Kobe, the world’s sake capital
Kobe in Hyogo Prefecture is not only famous for beef, but it also includes part of the Nada Gogo, or “Five villages of Nada,” that became famous for brewing sake centuries ago. Nada sake uses the area’s relatively hard water and high-quality Hyogo-grown rice to offer richer flavors and lots of body, and was the origin of many brewing techniques still in use today.
Kobe breweries, including behemoths like Hakutsuru – which has over 280 years of history – collectively account for the largest production of sake in the world. Many have museums, like the Hakutsuru Sake Brewing Museum, a huge facility displaying traditional tools, videos and dioramas exploring the history of sake brewing, with information in English and other languages. Best of all, the museum includes plenty of souvenirs and a tasting area – with some free sake, and others that require a fee. -
Experience shukubo, a temple stay, on the holy mountain site
One of the best ways to experience the true magic of Koyasan is to stay overnight at a temple. Known as a shukubo, a temple stay at Koyasan gives visitors the opportunity to relax, reflect and immerse themselves in the traditional practices of Shingon Buddhism.
Discover the day-to-day lives of Koyasan’s monks in one of 50 temples that offer the shukubo experience. With breakfast, dinner and comfortable overnight lodgings available, you can truly immerse yourself in this enriching cultural experience. Taste the traditional vegetarian dishes prepared by the monks and join them for morning prayers and meditation.
Clean and simple furnishings, including traditional tatami floors and sliding doors (fusuma) typify the temple lodgings at Koyasan and reflect the abundant peace and tranquility that define these sacred spaces. It’s important to remember, though, that rooms and meals vary depending on the temple. For further information, you can refer to our guide on temple stays. -
An unforgettable evening with dazzling floats at Inuyama Festival
In Inuyama, Aichi Prefecture, the annual Inuyama Festival will satisfy your desire for an authentic cultural experience woven into Japan’s unique cultural tapestry. Set in the historic city of Inuyama, this vibrant celebration was added to UNESCO’s Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage for Humanity, and offers visitors a unique and authentic experience.
Traditionally held on the first weekend of April, this year on April 6 and 7 from 9 AM to 9:30 PM, the historic Inuyama Old Castle Town area hosts parades of three-tiered floats and doll performances using traditional Japanese puppets (known as “karakuri”) alongside flute and taiko drum performances. During the day, the thirteen floats parade through the cherry blossom-lined streets, but at night, all 365 lanterns decorating the 13 floats are lit, creating a truly unforgettable atmosphere. Visitors can take in the dynamic energy of traditional floats adorned with stunning ornaments, witness captivating performances and partake in the local festivities that embody the heart and soul of Aichi’s heritage. -
Celebrate diversity at the Kobe 2024 Para Athletics World Championships
If you’re looking for a different kind of celebration, the Kobe 2024 Para Athletics World Championships offer another unique perspective on Japanese cultural appreciation. From May 17 to 25, select skilled athletes of different levels of ableness will gather from around the world to compete among peers and test their abilities.
The 11th edition of the global event will be East Asia’s first time hosting the World Para Athletics Championship. Hosted in Kobe, the capital of Hyogo Prefecture, this year will feature both men’s and women’s wheelchair racing, seated shot put, long jump, javelin and varying length races. There are many different dynamic events to experience, fostering an appreciation for the resilience and skill of para-athletes. While visiting Kobe for the Para Athletics World Championships, make sure to check out the night sights, gardens and try some Kobe beef, of course.