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1. Tokyo to Test New Coronavirus Contact-Tracing App: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-06-08/tokyo-to-test-new-coronavirus-contact-tracing-app-in-july 2. Tokyo Olympics 2020: Japan PM Shinzo Abe says Games will be held in 2021: https://www.bbc.com/sport/olympics/53059693 3. Tokyo Olympics will go ahead in 2021, Japan PM Shinzo Abe says: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2020/mar/24/tokyo-olympics-will-go-ahead-in-2021-japan-pm-shinzo-abe-says 4. Tokyo plans to offer free coronavirus tests to all residents: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-japan-tokyo/tokyo-plans-to-offer-free-coronavirus-tests-to-all-residents-idUS
These days, everyone is packing their bags and heading to Japan. With Michelin-starred eateries, glorious mother nature, and ancient temples sitting amongst a forest of gleaming buildings, the country has easily earned its popularity. Yet, most visitors stick to the well-traveled trio: Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto. While they are undoubtedly wonderful, for a quieter, equally rewarding alternative, look to Matsumoto in Nagano Prefecture for your next holiday in the land of the rising sun. At the city's heart is its namesake, Matsumoto Castle, one of Japan’s oldest surviving fortresses, drawing the lion's share of visitors. But Matsumoto offers far more than a historic landmark. Wander the photogenic Edo-era streets, explore alpine trails, purchase one-of-a-kind art prints, and soak in mountain hot springs, all under the shadow of the looming Japanese Alps. A bigger bonus? You’ll rarely encounter the intense crowds common in other parts of Japan –– at least not on weekdays. Where you stay in Matsumoto matters because it changes how you feel the city's pulse, how close the mountains seem, and how much ground you cover. (Main image: Matsumoto Marunouchi Hotel - Klook) (This article may contain promotions)
Here we introduce our 10 days itinerary suitable for a family trip in Japan! This itinerary includes family-friendly destinations where you can go with your small kids. Starting from Tokyo, you will explore Kyoto, Nara, Kobe etc., it is a great itinerary to start making a plan for the first timer too!
Welcome to Éclat des Jours Toyosu! Enjoy beautiful French-style sweets with a Japanese delicacy. Every bite of cake, bread, and more will bring you happiness. Come and experience "Glorious Days"!
AFURI is a famous ramen restaurant based in Tokyo that has expanded overseas. The stylish interior and detailed tableware make this a popular choice among women, and the brand is always ahead of the times, introducing its signature "Yuzu Shio Ramen" and "Vegan Ramen."
Are you planning a trip to Tokyo in May? Lucky you! The spring season is perfect for outdoor activities and sightseeing. Plus, you'll get to experience Japan's Golden Week, a series of consecutive national holidays that runs from late April to early May. There are plenty of events and festivals happening in and around Tokyo during this time, so you'll never run out of things to do. Here, we'll introduce you to some of the most exciting events and festivals that you can attend. (This article may contain promotions)
Having been Japan’s capital for over 1000 years, Kyoto has a rich, complex, and vibrant cultural tradition. The city is known for its imperial palace, countless temples and shrines, and its three important annual festivals, or matsuri, that celebrate the history of this timeless metropolis. Today we’ll dive right into the fascinating details surrounding them and share the ancient origins of these brilliant events. AOI MATSURI May 15 Aoi Matsuri is the oldest of Kyoto’s three major festivals, dating back to the Heian period in the 6th century CE. It takes its name from the Japanese word for the hollyhock leaves that are used in decorations around the festival to ward off natural disasters. The origins of the festival are lost to time, but legend has it that during the reign of Emperor Kinmei (539-571), the country was plagued by a series of epidemics and natural disasters that ruined the grain crops. The emperor sent messengers to perform equestrian rituals at the shrine in order to appease the gods. When good fortune returned to the capital, the emperor established Aoi Matsuri as an annual imperial festival. There were a few brief periods when the festival was discontinued, however ever since it has been held every year. The modern festival begins each May 15th at 10:30 A.M., when a parade of more than 500 people in colorful traditional costumes from the Heian Period slowly walk from the gates of the Kyoto Imperial Palace to the Shimogamo Shrine and then on to the Kamigamo Shrine. The procession is led by mounted riders, women carrying beautifully decorated umbrellas, and the saio-dai, or festival princess. In ancient times, the saio-dai would have been a young woman from the imperial family, but the role today is filled by one of Kyoto’s young, unmarried women who is said to embody wisdom and grace. Highlights of the festival include archery and equestrian demonstrations and floats decorated with fragrant seasonal flowers. GION MATSURI July The Gion Matsuri, named for the Gion region, is a highlight of the summer in Kyoto and shares similarities with the aoi matsuri. Like the Aoi matsuri, the Gion festival has its roots in purification rituals ordered by the emperor to appease the angry gods and bring an end to a series of natural disasters. The festival has been celebrated almost every year since the 17th century. Gion Matsuri is actually a series of events that run throughout the month of July. The high point of the festival is the parade on July 17 featuring traditional yamaboko floats. Twenty-four large floats called “yama” carry life-sized figures of Shinto deities and Buddhist bodhisattvas. 66 smaller floats called “hoko” or “halberds” recall the decorated swords used in the original ritual. The floats, pulled through the streets by ropes, are elaborately decorated with exquisite tapestries, sculptures, and other breathtaking works of art. A second, smaller parade is held a week later on July 24. There is also excitement to be had during the yoiyama, the celebration held on the three evenings before each parade. During this celebration, streets are closed to traffic, and members of the public can visit the floats, buy good luck souvenirs, and enjoy street food from the vendors whose stalls line the street. There is a paid viewing area in the stands by City Hall, but the parade route is so long, it is not difficult to find a good vantage point along the route. JIDAI MATSURI October 22 Compared to Kyoto’s other two festivals, the Heian Shrine’s Jidai Festival is a relatively new tradition. After the capital was moved from Kyoto to Tokyo, local officials feared the loss of the city’s prestige. The Heian Shrine was built in 1895 to commemorate the 1100th anniversary of the city. The “Festival of the Ages” was founded to celebrate Kyoto’s history, and to honor Emperor Kammu, who moved the imperial capital to Kyoto, and Emperor Kommei, the last emperor of the Edo Period. The festival begins when mikoshi or “portable shrines” said to contain the spirits of the two emperors are brought out from the Imperial Palace. However, the festival’s most exciting event is a walk through Kyoto’s past, with re-enactors dressed in sumptuous costumes performing scenes from Japan’s history from the feudal period to the Meiji Restoration. The costumes are painstakingly researched and constructed with traditional methods and materials. Kyoto’s festivals bring the city’s ancient past to the present. From the vibrant springtime through the cool breezes of autumn, visitors can experience Kyoto’s rich cultural traditions at each of the city’s most famous festivals. Surrounded by lively processions, the joy of those in attendance, and the knowledge of how it all came to be, these three matsuri will fill one with the Kyoto spirit. Living history awaits. Featured Photo Credit: Shawn.ccf Kyoto is steeped with Japanese culture, tradition, and delicious cuisine. Come join our Gion & Kaiseki Evening Tour to experience Kyoto as a local and eat some great food!