Sleep above tankful of beer? Gourmet weekend away in Yamanashi

The birthplace of Japanese wine, Yamanashi Prefecture is the largest producer of Japanese wine, producing approximately one-third of the national Japanese wine production. Not surprisingly, Yamanashi produces the most amount of grapes (and peaches) in Japan and Yamanashi is famous for the bountiful produce. I read about an interesting gourmet travel experience in Yamanashi so … Continue reading Sleep above tankful of beer? Gourmet weekend away in Yamanashi

Azaleas everywhere

After the cherry blossoms bloom and are carried away by the breeze, Tokyo is quickly replaced by bursts of white, pink, purple and red azalea. Flowering between April and May, azaleas are something I didn't see much when I lived in Australia but boy, there are everywhere in Tokyo! There are at my residential building, … Continue reading Azaleas everywhere

Springing into ceremonious start to the new year

Cherry blossoms may have bloomed early and the petals were caught and blown away by the wind by the time April came around, but April 3rd was the official start of the new year in Japan where many businesses welcomed thousands of new graduates. There are many grandiose ceremonies to welcome the new employees into … Continue reading Springing into ceremonious start to the new year

Slushy spring ski and onsen in Yamagata

Last weekend, we decided to squeeze in the last ski trip for the season in 蔵王温泉 (Zao onsen) located in 山形県 (Yamagata prefecture) located in the northern end of 本州 Honshu or the main Japan island. We visited Zao onsen in Yamagata in August 2020 (some highlights from the previous trip below) so we were … Continue reading Slushy spring ski and onsen in Yamagata

Revisiting Chichibu, Saitama

Last week, Tuesday March 21 was a public holiday (Spring Equinox) in Japan. I took Monday 20th off to enjoy a 4 day long weekend but my husband couldn't take time off so I searched for an easy access workation accommodation with onsen to relax. I found いこうの村ヘリテイジ(Ikoinomura Heritage) accommodation located 30 minutes away from … Continue reading Revisiting Chichibu, Saitama

Japan Sea and onsen road trip Part 2 : Ishikawa, Fukui and Toyama

We have recently returned from 3 nights 4 days Chubu region road trip where we visited: Toyama city and Iwase area in Toyama prefecture and Shirakawa, Gifu prefectureAwara onsen , Fukui prefectureYamashiro onsen town, Ishikawa prefecture In this post, I’ll share the second half of our trip.(For the first half of the trip where we … Continue reading Japan Sea and onsen road trip Part 2 : Ishikawa, Fukui and Toyama

Japan Sea and onsen road trip Part 1 : Toyama and Shirakawa

A public holiday on April 29th 2022 started the “Golden Week” in Japan where taking Monday May 1 and Friday May 6 creates a 10 days off extra long weekend. (Please read my previous blog to learn more about the Golden Week). This year was the first in 3 years without any restrictions set due … Continue reading Japan Sea and onsen road trip Part 1 : Toyama and Shirakawa

Spring in Sumida: fuji flower viewing

Cherry blossom season has nearly come to an end in Tokyo area but it doesn't stop the flowers bursting throughout Tokyo.I am amazed at how much azaleas, dogwood and many flowers decorate not just the park but the streets around me. Although surrounded by pink and white petals, I made a special trip to Sumida … Continue reading Spring in Sumida: fuji flower viewing

Spectacular sakura: the variety of the Japanese symbol

桜(Sakura) or cherry blossom is the symbol of Japan and although the cherry blossom season seemed to be over, I came across this stunning cherry tree last weekend. All the flowers with lots of petals were facing down that when you stand right underneath it, all the flowers were facing you. Simply stunning. This variety … Continue reading Spectacular sakura: the variety of the Japanese symbol

Play ball! Watching baseball game at Tokyo Dome

Baseball is the most watched sports both on TV and live in Japan.So much so, even high school baseball tournament is aired on TV. Baseball tournament continued with no spectators followed by limited spectators during the pandemic. Now that there are no restrictions and the baseball season started at the end of March, we headed … Continue reading Play ball! Watching baseball game at Tokyo Dome