In Japan, while spring is the time for viewing “sakura” (cherry blossoms), Autumn is Japan’s most colorful season. It is the season for a good long walk to take in and enjoy the colourful scenery, bathe in secret or exotic “onsen” (hot springs) to relax body and soul and explore the autumn flavours at the [...]
The Historic Villages of Shirakawa-gō and Gokayama are one of Japan’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The site is located in the Shogawa river valley stretching across the border of Gifu and Toyama Prefectures in northern Japan. Shirakawa-gō (白川郷, “White River Old-District”) is located in the village of Shirakawa in Gifu Prefecture. The Gokayama (五箇山, “Five [...]
Yakedake, 焼岳 (with the height above sea level of 2455m) is a volcano that erupts most actively in Northern Japanese Alps in recent years. It erupted many times until 1963 in the Meiji era. Nowadays, white smoke can be seen from far which consists of steam that contains hydrogen sulfide.
Facts about Norikura Norikura marks the end of the Skyline Road, the highest in Japan with an elevation that at times exceeds 3000 metres Introduction Norikura (乗鞍) is a plateau around Nagano’s western border with Gifu. It ranges in height from 1,400 to 1,500 m, and is surrounded by white birch, plum and larch trees. [...]
Every March 15th is the famous Hounen Matsuri, 豊年祭 (Japanese Harvest Festival) celebrated at Tagata shrine (田県神社) of Aichi Prefecture. Hounen means rich harvest in Japanese, while a matsuri is a festival or holiday. The Hounen festival and ceremony celebrate the blessings of a bountiful harvest and all manner of prosperity and fertility. The Tagata [...]
