Yodogawa Fireworks Festival

Yodogawa Fireworks Festival

If you think about Japan in Summer, isn’t fireworks the first thing that comes to mind? In 2022 most fireworks events were canceled because of pandemic-related concerns. All fireworks? No, one event was scheduled to be held and it even happened to be one in the Kansai area.

A different kind of aquarium in Kobe

A different kind of aquarium in Kobe

Kobe always draws me back after my first visit ten years ago. This time I visited the new „a to a“ aquarium in the harbor area, climbed up to Venus Bridge and strolled through the historic foreign house district of Kitano.

Setouchi Triennale (3/3) – Naoshima

Setouchi Triennale (3/3) – Naoshima

Recently I visited the Setouchi Art Triennale, thanks to a lucky draw. I just made it back in time to catch the ferry to Naoshima from Teshima. Dark clouds approached the island and minutes later it began to rain.

Setouchi Triennale (2/3) – Teshima

Setouchi Triennale (2/3) – Teshima

Recently I visited the Setouchi Art Triennale, thanks to a lucky draw. The two islands Teshima and Naoshima are at the center of the Triennale with notable museums and a set of temporary exhibitions.

Setouchi Triennale (1/3) – Inujima

Setouchi Triennale (1/3) – Inujima

Recently I visited the Setouchi Art Triennale, thanks to a lucky draw. This contemporary art exhibition takes place every three years on the islands of the Setouchi region.

Finally, a sunny day in Kanazawa

Finally, a sunny day in Kanazawa

On the last day of my Obon vacation I visited Kanazawa en route to Kyoto. Minutes before I left Toyama, I bought masuzushi, a local speciality. It is a kind of pressed sushi (oshizushi) with trout, which is related to

Sushi and glass in rainy Toyama

Sushi and glass in rainy Toyama

After the active two days in Kamikochi I planned a day of recovery in Toyama. When I returned from Kamikochi I witnessed how a front of bad weather developed over the whole Hokuriku area, with heavy rainfalls forecasted for the following day.

Hiking a volcano in the Japanese Alps

Hiking a volcano in the Japanese Alps

Located deep in the mountains of Nagano prefecture, access to Kamikochi is not possible in Winter. The Azusa river delivers crystal clear water along the valley and with the surrounding mountains it is a great destination for hikers and day visitors at the same time.

Back in Shirakawagô

Back in Shirakawagô

After the short intermission in Kyoto to see the Gozan no Okuribi, I set out for the Hokuriku region for the remainder of my vacation. Shirakawagô is one of my favorite places in Japan and that is why it draws me back for the third time.

Gozan no Okuribi

Gozan no Okuribi

Obon is one of the most important celebrations in Japan, during which the ancestors are honored and the family unites. Today I want to talk about „Gozan no Okuribi“ that took place at the end of Obon in Kyoto.