This Friday a kabuki performance will be held at the magnificent open-air Hinoemata Kabuki Stage! What is Kabuki? Kabuki is a form of Japanese theatre born in the Edo period. It is different from Noh and Bungaku – the other 2 traditional forms of theater – through its use of vibrant costumes and make up,Continue reading Historic Kabuki Performances Held in Hinoemata Village
Last week, I went to see Aizu-Tajima Gion festival! I was really lucky to be shown around by a number of local residents, so I could ask as many questions about the customs of the festival as I wanted. All About the Gion Festival Why is there a Gion Festival in Aizu-Tajima? The most famousContinue reading Going to See Aizu-Tajima Gion Festival
Tomorrow I get to go to one of the 3 most spectacular Gion Festivals in Japan. (The other 2 take place in Kyoto, and Fukuoka, if you were wondering!) Aizu-Tajima Gion Festival is an annual shinto celebration which takes place on July 22nd, 23rd and 24th. For 800 years, gion festivals have been an importantContinue reading Aizu-Tajima Gion Festival – Planning My Trip
The Tadami Line is an incredibly scenic railway that runs across Aizu. Connecting the bustling samurai city of Aizu Wakamatsu with the serene, gorgeous countryside of Oku Aizu, this route is definitely one to try out if you want a chance to see rural Japan at its best. Although I have visited this area ofContinue reading Tadami Line: 5 Sights You Shouldn’t Miss
Constructed at the end of the 16th century, the thatched roof farmhouses of Tateiwa Village are a hidden gem, buried deep in the heart of Minamiaizu, Fukushima Prefecture. L-Shaped Farmhouses One of the first things I noticed upon arriving at Maezawa Village was the huge size and odd shape of its buildings. 13 ofContinue reading Historic Maezawa Farmhouses in Rural Japan
Mini Oze Park in Minamiaizu, Fukushima Prefecture is a wonderful place to visit if you are craving getting away from the rush of city life.Continue reading Exploring Mini Oze Park, Minamiaizu
Hinoemata is a rural town in Minami-Aizu, Fukushima Prefecture that is so secluded that, for decades upon decades, families from the town only had 1 of 3 surnames: Hirano, Hoshi or Tachibana. Even today, if you meet somebody from Hinoemata and ask them “Are you Mr Hoshi?”, chances are you’ll be right! Isolated byContinue reading Hinoemata: visiting rural Japan
