Shops All Closed Down
Ever try to go shopping in Japan on January 1st? Even though there are shops like Costco and other large supermarkets that are open, finding most other shops open on the first day of the new year is difficult. Most shops in Japan close on January 1st and many don’t even open back up until after the 5th. Years ago, ATMs used to closed from before January 1st and wouldn’t be available for use until around the 4th or 5th. If you needed money, you had to get it out of the bank before...
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Correction to the Momiji Process
Cold weather has finally made its way to Japan, but it has been a slow change. Japanese maple and ginko trees have been slow changing colors. Last year, the process was just as slow though. The previous prediction that maple leaves would be ready for viewing unfortunately was incorrect. Maple leaves are still green in many areas around the Kansai region. Some are red. Some are yellow. Finding really bright red maple leaves is getting easier as winter approaches, but they are few and far...
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Momiji Finally Changing Colors!
Temperatures are finally beginning to drop in the Kansai region. What does that mean? It means you can prepare a momiji trip because Japanese maple leaves will soon be red in many areas around the region. Trees in mountain areas started changing last week, while trees in lower elevations are still green because temperatures have not been cold enough to cause a change. Because temperatures have dropped the past few days, trees all around the region will begin changing colors from now on. Trees...
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Preparing for Momiji
Every year around the beginning of autumn, just before the leaves begin changing their colors, you begin to hear the word, momiji, batted about in conversation. Momiji itself means Japanese maple. But in conversation when someone uses momiji suru or momiji miru they mean viewing Japanese maple and other autumn tree leaf colors. Right now is that time! As temperatures begin to fall, people are beginning to talk about momiji viewing. It will continue to be the hot topic here in Japan until...
Read MoreRadiation Air-flow Pattern Over Osaka and Kyoto
According to the Norwegian institute for air research, tomorrow is not a good day to go outdoors in the Kansai region or anywhere else in western Japan, unless you don’t mind taking a chance on getting irradiated. According to them, radiation coming from the Fukushima plant will be passing over the Kansai region starting tonight and throughout the rest of the day tomorrow. Click this site for the air pattern and map. Radiated Air-flow Map
Read MoreHanami: 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...
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