Hanami: Late Start
Cherry blossoms got a late start this year. The season is about a weekend a half later than it has been in the past few years. The cherry blossoms right now are at about 20 to 30% bloomed. Mountain and hillsides are turning a light shade of pink. If you wish to see a mix of cherry blossoms and cherry blossom buds, now’s a good time to go. If you wish to see them in full-bloom, mankai, this weekend would be the best time to...
Read MoreNorthern Kyoto Receiving Snow Four Days
The latest storm to hit Japan has brought snow from Hokkaido to as far south as Kyushu along with lows below freezing. For the past four days cities and towns up and down the Japan seaside have been getting snow. The snow in Kyoto City (4cm) pales in comparison to the amount being dumped on the northern areas of Kyoto. Current conditions for powder-skiing are ripe most anywhere in Japan!
Read MoreRinging in the New Year Watching TV
How will you spend New Year’s Eve? People around the world spend the special evening celebrating the old year and the new year about to start in different ways. Some go to parties. Some will visit shrines or temples or even churches. However, as for Japanese, a vast majority will sit in front of their brand spanking new HD TVs this New Year’s Eve. Why? Japan is going completely digital in 2011. In November last month, a huge number of nihonjin (Japanese) bought HD TVs so they would...
Read MoreOsaka Hikari Renaissance 2010
Enjoy another year of illumination in Osaka thanks to the efforts of Osaka Hikari-Renaissance Executive Committee. This year’s show should be another beautiful display of lights for holiday goers to enjoy. Locations - Nakanoshima, Kita-ku, Osaka In front of Osaka City Hall, Miotsukushi Promenade road and surrounding area, Osaka Central Public Hall to Nakanoshima Park(Rose garden, Kensaki Park) and the north public square of Osaka Science Museum. Dates – Saturday December 11 to...
Read MorePoor Momiji Reports
Talked with many momiji viewers who have already been to temples, shrines and parks to see the changing of the autumn leaves. Many seemed disappointed with what they saw. Most complained that only a few trees had changed colors so far. If you have not been to see momiji yet, fear not. You are probably a lot better off not having been somewhere yet. Look for trees to be more colorful this coming weekend. Trees out in open sunlight will have already begun changing if not already begun dropping...
Read MoreFushimi Inari Momiji Report
The maples leaves in the Kansai region are beginning to change colors. Most of the trees that are changing, however, are those in direct sunlight. Trees set back in the forests are still vibrant green and have not begun changing their colors. Expect trees in the Kyoto area to be bright and colorful around the last week of November, a little earlier than the official momiji report predicted a few weeks ago. The photos below are from Fushimi Inari Shrine. Japanese M
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