A Hidden Gem That Feels Like the World of Your Name: A Visit to Hoshida Myoken-gu Shrine
Located in Katano City, Osaka, Hoshida Myoken-gu Shrine is known as a sacred place of star worship. Among fans of the anime film Your Name (Kimi no Na wa), it has also become a popular spot due to its mystical atmosphere that evokes the film’s enchanting world. I recently visited the shrine and was surprised […]
Chinchillas, Hydrangeas, and Hidden Temples: Our Unforgettable Shiga Countryside Adventure
Whenever we chat with travelers planning their trips around Japan, they always rave about the hyper-efficient bullet trains and pristine subway lines of the major cities. And it’s true – public transit here is a marvel! But if you really want to experience the heart of Japan, you have to venture out into the countryside. […]
Quiet Ways to Enjoy Japan During the Rainy Season
When it rains during a trip, many travelers may feel a little disappointed.But in Japan, rain has a different kind of beauty : one that can only be experienced on quiet, cloudy days. Today, I’d like to introduce some uniquely Japanese ways to enjoy the rainy season, along with seasonal traditions that can only be […]
Golden Week in Japan: A Survival Guide for the Busiest Week of the Year
If you have been following the news or walking around any major Japanese city last week, you’ve likely noticed the surge of energy (and people) everywhere. That’s because we were in the midst of Golden Week, a cluster of four national holidays that creates the longest and busiest vacation period in Japan. For travelers, Golden […]
A Bridge to the Sacred: A Conversation with an Esoteric Buddhist Monk Serving in Koyasan
As we work closely with temples and spiritual landmarks across Japan to offer the best, most authentic experiences to travelers, we recently had the profound opportunity to meet with a practicing Esoteric Buddhist monk currently serving in the sacred area of Koyasan. This was a wonderful opportunity for us to uncover the feeling and spirituality […]
Kongo Gumi, master builder of traditional Japanese temples and shrines
The World’s Oldest Continuing Construction Company — Founded in 578 Did you know that the world’s oldest continuously operating construction company was founded in Japan? Established in 578 AD, Kongo Gumi has upheld more than 1,400 years of temple and shrine construction heritage. Since the Asuka period, the company has been devoted to the construction […]
Ise Jingu : Our Experience
We had the rare opportunity to experience Ise not simply as visitors, but from a deeply Japanese perspective, taking part in a tour centered on Shinto tradition and sacred blessings. Instead of simply sightseeing, we got to experience a true immersion into something timeless and quietly powerful. Here is how the day unfolded. 9:00 – […]
Ise Jingu: The Sacred Heart of Shinto Japan
Japan is home to thousands of shrines, but none holds a place as sacred and revered as Ise Grand Shrine (Ise Jingu, officially ‘Jingu’). Ise Shrine is located in Ise, Mie Prefecture and is Japan’s most sacred Shinto site, with a history spanning over 2000 years centered around the worship of the Sun Goddess Amaterasu […]
Wakakusa Yamayaki : Nara’s Fiery Winter Festival
Every January, the historic city of Nara comes alive in an extraordinary way. On the fourth Saturday of the month, a centuries-old tradition draws spectators from near and far to witness the hillside of Mount Wakakusa ablaze in a spectacle known as Wakakusa Yamayaki. This year, the event took place on Saturday, January 24, 2026, […]
Setsubun: Welcoming Good Fortune and Driving Away Bad Luck in Early February
After the New Year celebrations come to an end, Japan marks another important seasonal turning point: Setsubun (節分). Usually held around February 3 or 4, Setsubun symbolizes the transition from winter to spring according to the traditional Japanese calendar. While it is not a public holiday, it is widely observed across the country in homes, […]