Considered as one of the largest and most distinctive winter event, the Sapporo Snow Festival is held annually for a week in February (usually during the 1st to 2nd week). There are 3 main sites of the festival: Odori Park where the large snow sculptures are displayed, Susukino with the ice sculptures and Tsudome with the giant snow slides.
Tag: Japan
A Tinge Of Setsubun
Japanese celebrate Setsubun by throwing soybeans either out the door or at a person wearing an Oni (demon or ogre) mask. This is done to ward off evil spirits that bring misfortune and bad health. This custom known as mamemaki was originally introduced by the Chinese during the 8th century.
Hokkaido’s Penchant For Taxidermy
Either you are at a university or a museum, a park or a resting area, a restaurant or a souvenir shop located in Hokkaido, you will definitely notice at least one taxidermied animal. Their fondness to taxidermy is very obvious, with the basic reason of showcasing the animals native to Hokkaido.
The Frozen Shirahige Waterfalls
The word shirahige means white beard and the name was coined as the water flowing alongside the rocks resembled white beard. The beautiful splash of cobalt blue is created by the water spring beneath the rocks and the impact of the water plunging to the rocks below. The waterfalls which stands more than 30 meters tall can be best viewed from the helix bridge.
Mihama American Village In Okinawa
Located near the American military bases is an an entertainment complex called Mihama American Village. The entertainment complex resembles a big American outdoor shopping mall with lots of shops, restaurants, cafes and a movie theater. There are shops selling American brand clothing, second-hand American decorations and toys, as well as military-themed clothes and accessories. The most recognizable feature of the American Village is the large Ferris Wheel.
Throwback Trips: Ooyaji Temple
The Oyaji Temple is a Buddhist temple of the Tendai sect that was built in a hollowed cave at the foot of a rocky cliff. It was established in the year 810 by the Japanese Buddhist monk, Kobo-Daishi (also known as Kuukai).
Okinawa Theme Parks
During my trip in Okinawa, I have visited 3 theme parks: the Ocean Expo Park, the Okinawa World and the Nago Pineapple Park. I went twice at the Ocean Expo Park, the second time as part of my second Okinawa Bus tour destinations at the same time with Nago Pineapple Park. My first Okinawa Bus tour includes the Okinawa World.
The Train With One Passenger
A story about a highschool girl who has been the lone passenger of a train in Japan has been viral on the web. So upon learning that the train station is in Japan, I asked my friend to go there during one of our roadtrips.
Flashnote: Taushubetsu Bridge
It’s winter and it’s a nice time to walk along frozen lakes. One of the lakes here in Hokkaido that you can traverse by foot is the Nukabira Lake. Most of the people who go to the lake camp there to do some ice fishing. But today, we went there not to do ice fishing but to see the Taushubetsu Bridge.
Okinawa And The World War II
During the WWII, the Americans invaded Okinawa via Operation Iceberg to use it as a base for air operations on their planned invasion of mainland Japan. The Battle of Okinawa lasted for 82 days and was known to be one of the bloodiest in the Pacific. Dubbed as “tetsu no ame” (rain of steel), the battle was so ferocious due to the intensity of kamikaze attacks from the Japanese defenders, and to the sheer numbers of Allied ships and armored vehicles that assaulted the island.
Edo Wonderland
Ninjas are cool. The anime Naruto showed that being a shinobu (ninja) are the coolest thing in the world. But unlike the ninjas in the anime, the real ones who once roamed the Japanese lands do not possess superhuman strength and powers. Ninjas were actually covert mercenaries in feudal Japan responsible for espionage, sabotage, infiltration, assassination and guerrilla warfare. Their methods were somehow labeled as “dishonorable” in contrast to the samurai rules. However, their legendary powers (which were just based on folklores) such as control of the elements and invisibility made them look cool in the Western perception. Anyway, I had the chance of walking along with the “ninjas” nearly 5 years ago.
Flashnote: Hoarfrost Of Sarabetsu
Braving the very cold -23°C, we hit the road at 5:30 am to see the hoarfrost in Sarabetsu. As the silvery frozen mists covering the trees melt as soon as the sun starts to shine, we needed to go there very early. Sarabetsu is famous for this magical view.
Amoj In Wanderland 