‘Kansai Culture’ Archives
Cherry Blossoms at 50% and Opening Fast!
Monday was a roller-coaster-weather day. When the sun wasn't shining and warm, it was cold, cloudy, raining, sleeting or snowing. The sakura cherry blossoms were only at about 20% open on Monday. But it was still a beautiful day to be out doing hanami even with the crazy weather. The sky was bright blue. The clouds were mostly white with [...]
Rain Before Blossoms
Every year just before cherry blossom season, spring brings rain to the Kansai area of Japan, which fuels the trees to bloom forth the beautiful sakura "cherry" blossoms. Rain has been falling every other day or so here in the Kansai region of Japan this spring. Those braving the elements to sightsee or do hanami, cherry blossom viewing in [...]
Sakura Buds Coming Out
Just stopped by the park to check out the cherry trees and saw the buds are already out. Some of them are even green with a little pink showing. It's time to start cherry blossom watching! Cherry trees this spring could bloom a little earlier this year. If you care about seeing the cherry blossoms in full-bloom, you had better start keeping [...]
Catch’em While You Can
Japanese maples are beginning to turn into their beautiful yellow, orange and red autumn colors. Tis the season for momiji viewing. You would expect during a normal autumn season to see thousands upon thousands of people roaming here and there admiring the beautiful autumn leaves, but that is not quite the case this year. Be it so called global [...]
Sports Day Coming Soon!
Sports Day for many schools is on a Saturday in September or October. It is a day set aside once a year when students, faculty and families come together at school to dance, run races and enjoy time together. Most schools have to Sports Days. One is for students only, where families come and watch their children perform, run and do games. The [...]
Buying Omiyage from Japan
Ever have a problem deciding what souvenir to buy from Japan? The hardest thing about buying souvenirs in Japan is not deciding what, but which. Japan has an abundance of souvenirs to choose from. Some of the more popular items people choose are: green teas dried seafood items Japanese candies chocolates cookies clothes fashion [...]
Gion Festival Float Tour
On July 13th from 2:30 to 6:30 pm up to 20 non-Japanese residents are invited to see how to build two Gion Festival floats - Kikusui Boko and Kita Kannon Yama - decorated with beautiful tapestries. Admission is free. Participants will meet at the Karasuma-Oike subway station in Kyoto City. To apply, call (075) 752-3511 or visit the [...]
