H.I.S. International Tours (2024)

07/10/2014

Onomichi Betcha Festival

This festival is said to have its origins in an attempt to ward off the plague during the Edo Era (17th to 19th centuries). Dancing to the beat of music played on drums and bells, young men wearing comical masks or a lion costume run through the city streets, chasing the children there, and hitting them on the head or body with bamboo whisks. The children thus “beaten” are then said to be safe from illness or disaster for the coming year. Even though they may be frightened, toddlers are held by their parents and subjected to a “thrashing”, all in good fun. Within Hiroshima Prefecture, this festival is unique and has been designated an Intangible Folklore Cultural Property.It is held on the 11th November around the streets north west of JR Onomichi Station and then ends up in front of JR Onomichi Station where there is a huge crush of people competing with each other to be hit by the demons.

01/10/2014

Persimmons are ripening!

Persimmons, known as kaki around the world, are a seasonal autumn fruit in Japan. There are both sweet and bitter persimmons. Two typical varieties of sweet persimmons are fuyugaki, which has a meltingly soft flesh and is very sweet and juicy, and jirogaki, which has a firmer flesh with a crispy texture (around 100 yen each). More than half the persimmons that come into season from October to December are fuyugaki and they are often eaten as dessert. With sweet persimmons, you peel the skin with a knife, remove the seeds and cut them into pieces to eat. But you cannot eat bitter persimmons as they are, so you must peel and dry them, either out in the sun or near a fire, to eliminate the bitterness. Through this process, the sugar will also be condensed and the sweetness will be intensified. You can buy these dried persimmons at fruit shops, but various regions around Japan have their own hoshigaki (dried persimmons) using varieties particular to the region, so watch for them in your travels (1 pack of 20 hoshigaki ranges from 2,000 to 3,000 yen).

29/09/2014

Tokyo Metropolitan Tourism Chrysanthemum Exhibition

Chrysanthemum exhibitions are held throughout Japan in the autumn. Among these, the Tokyo Metropolitan Tourism Chrysanthemum Exhibition - which has been held since 1914 - is known as Japan's foremost chrysanthemum exhibition for the quality and amount of its flowers.

This exhibition will feature approximately 2,000 masterpieces in one building, including ogiku chrysanthemum grown in trays, cut ogiku chrysanthemum, bonsai, Edogiku chrysanthemum, kengai-style bonsai, daruma- and fukusuke-style flowers, flowers for practical use, and more. Visitors can also see chrysanthemum decorations such as osugi-style flowers and cushion mum plants.

The purpose of providing a place for many people, including local residents, to enjoy viewing elegant chrysanthemum flowers at Hibiya Park is to promote the tourism industry and stimulate the region. In addition, seedlings will be sold and explanations given of cultivation methods to promote chrysanthemums, improve cultivation technologies, and increase awareness of afforestation.

16/09/2014

Autumn Tour deadline is approaching soon.

Check out the details:

http://destination-japan.com/Your-Trip/On-Your-Own/JapanGoldenRouteTour_Autumn2014

12/09/2014

Plastic Food Displays make ordering food in Japan EASY

Plastic food replicas appear in the windows and display cases of establishments which serve food throughout Japan. Once made from wax, today they are usually made out of plastic. The plastic models are mostly handmade from polyvinyl chloride and carefully sculpted to look like the actual dishes. The models are custom-tailored to restaurants and even common items such as ramen will be modified to match each establishment's food. During the molding process, the imitation ingredients are often chopped up and combined in a manner similar to actual cooking.

09/09/2014

Enkoji Temple Kyoto

Enkoji Temple was established as a school by Sh**un Tokugawa Ieyasu (1543-1616), who is famous as one of the greatest men of Japan. Relatively new among the renowned temples of Kyoto, it was founded first in Fushimi-ku in 1600 and then moved to Sakyo-ku in 1667. When it was in Fushimi, the temple was a center of Japan's intellectual activities, inviting Sanyo Genkitsu (Kansh*tsu) for educational projects and publishing books called "Enko-ji editions" using wooden type imported from Korea, for example. 52,320 wooden type of Fushimi editions are exhibited here as Important Cultural Property. Today, the temple is a place of Zen training and holding zazen (basic Zen training) meetings.

The temple has been noted for its beautiful garden and is visited by many people, especially in fall, when leaves change color. Visitors are fascinated watching delicate scarlet here and there in the temple. At the entrance of the garden there is a sui-kin-kutsu that echoes water dripping in a pot and a seiryuchi shows the glassy surface of pure water. In a karesansui (a Japanese garden style expressing waterscapes, including ponds, rivers, lakes and the sea using only stones and sand) named Jugyu-no-niwa, stones representing oxen are placed in harmony with crape myrtle, azaleas, peonies, and other natural artworks.

06/09/2014

Gokayama

Gokayama is an area within the city of Nanto in Toyama Prefecture,
Japan. It has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List due to its traditional gassho-zukuri houses, alongside nearby Shirakawa-gō in Gifu Prefecture. The survival of this traditional architectural style is attributed to the region's secluded location in the upper reaches of the Shogawa river. This is also the reason that Gokayama's lifestyle and culture remained very traditional for many years after the majority of the country had modernized. Many of the houses easily surpass 300 years in age.

The Gokayama region includes the former villages of Taira, Kamitaira, and Toga. The gassho hamlet of Ainokura is located in Taira, while that of Suganuma is in Kamitaira; both are nationally-designated Historic Sites.

04/09/2014

Kaze no Bon

Kaze no Bon is a Japanese festival held every year from September 1 to 3 in Yatsuo, Toyama, Japan. Kaze-no-Bon literally translates to "Dance of the Wind."

This festival, having a history of about 300 years, is recently becoming a popular tourist attraction to the otherwise sparsely populated mountain area. The original festival was held in order to appease typhoons and allow for a bountiful harvest of rice.

What makes this festival so unique is that it is held at night. The streets are decorated with paper lanterns, and long rows of young men and women, their faces covered by low-brimmed straw hats, dance simultaneously to rather melancholic music. This particular style of music is also unique to the region, using an otherwise rare instrument, the kokyū. A well-aged female voice and a traditional shamisen often accompanies the kokyū.

The hats, worn with matching kimonos, cover the dancers faces to hide them from the wrath of the god they hope to appease. One other feature of the dancers is that they are all unmarried. This is similar to the idea that 1) doing the dance may gain the attention of the gods who may get mad at them and 2) to do the dance is akin to a virginal self-sacrifice. But these far more traditional ideas that are carried by superstition. Aversely. some say that the dancers, young and unmarried, do the dance to show off and meet other young unmarried people.

The traditional, old-fashioned, shop-lined sloping streets and winding staircases of the small town make the festival quite spectacular, and the dark atmosphere of the festival is often described as rather "creepy" to many people who have experienced it.

Aside from the dance, games, trinkets and other traditional foods and services are also offered from the tiny shops lining the streets. Special Japanese paper is a popular souvenir for visitors to this festival.

26/08/2014

Anyone interested in HIS putting together ski product for Japan?

Hakuba is a ski resort town in the northern Japan Alps. As the surrounding valley has an annual snow fall of over 11.1 meters, it is the central hub for 10 ski resorts with more than 200 runs. The village was the main event venue for 1998 Winter Olympics (Alpine, Ski Jump, Crosscountry).

Hakuba was once part of the route called the Salt Road used to bring salt and other marine products from the coast.

Hakuba is located west of Tokyo, and north of Nagoya. The Nagano region can be accessed easily from Tokyo via Shinkansen or bus. Likewise, it is accessible via bus and rail from Nagoya. It is most easily accessed via the airport at Matsumoto.

25/08/2014

Takayama Jinya

Takayama Jinya is a former government outpost that was established in order to bring the Hida Province under the direct control of the Edo Bakufu (Sh**unate). It was established in what is currently Hachiken-machi, Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture.

The building originally belonged to Lord Kanamori, ruler of the Hida Takayama Han, who used it as his villa. However, after the Bakufu Government sought to bring Hida under its direct control in 1629, it was rebuilt by Ina Tadaatsu and served as offices for the local deputy administrator. After 1777, it became the local government office.

After the Meiji Reformation, the building was used as Takayama prefectural offices. In 1929, it was designated as an historical landmark, but continued being used as public or prefectural offices by a number of public entities until 1969. As the only remaining building of its kind, Takayama Jinya is now under protective ordinances as an historical asset and has been restored almost entirely to its original Edo Period state.

23/08/2014

Shin-Yokohama Raumen Museum

The Shin-Yokohama Raumen Museum is a food amusement park located in the Shin-Yokohama district of Kōhoku-ku, Yokohama, Japan.

The museum is devoted to the Japanese ramen noodle soup and features a large recreation of Tokyo in the year 1958, the year instant noodles were invented. Within the museum are branches of famous ramen restaurants from Kyushu to Hokkaido. The list includes Ide Shoten, Shinasobaya, Keyaki, Ryushanhai, Hachiya, Fukuchan, and Komurasaki.

Along with restaurants, there is an old-style bar called 35 Knots, where visitors can smoke, and a few other places to buy traditional snacks and food. On the ground floor level, there is a souvenir shop selling ramen bowls, cooking utilities and customisable instant-ramen packages.

The museum opened on March 3, 1994.

21/08/2014

Hiroshima style Okonomiyaki

Okonomiyaki is a Japanese pancake containing a variety of ingredients. The name is derived from the word okonomi, meaning "what you like" or "what you want", and yaki meaning "grilled" or "cooked" (cf. yakitori and yakisoba). Okonomiyaki is mainly associated with the Kansai or Hiroshima areas of Japan, but is widely available throughout the country. Toppings and batters tend to vary according to region. Tokyo okonomiyaki is usually smaller than a Hiroshima or Kansai okonomiyaki.

20/08/2014

Eiheiji Temple Lantern Festival

Eiheiji Temple stands in the wooded hills, about 9 miles or 15 kilometers outside of Fukui City. It consists of over 70 buildings and structures, connected with each other by covered walkways.

On August 24th every year, Eiheiji Temple holds the "Kuzuryu Festival Eiheiji Toro-Nagashi". "Toro-Nagashi" is a traditional event held all over Japan. In order to mourn their ancestor's souls, candle lit lanterns are released into the water.

There are two types of lanterns a "memorial lantern" and a "wishing lantern." Watching the lanterns streaming down the river draws tourists from all over the world.

Better hurry and call HIS if you intend to go this year!

19/08/2014

Mt.Mitoku Sanbutsu-ji Temple/Nageiredo Hall

Sanbutsu-ji (三仏寺) is a Buddhist temple in the town of Misasa, Tottori Prefecture, Japan. The Nageire Hall (投入堂) of Sanbutsu-ji, built in the Heian period is designated a National Treasure of Japan.

By tradition Sanbutsu-ji was founded by the Buddhist ascetic and mystic of the late Asuka period monk En no Gyōja (ca. 634–701). En no Gyōja is considered the founder of Shugendō, a syncretic religion which incorporated aspects Old Shinto, Japanese folk animism and shamanism, Taoism and esoteric Buddhism of the Shingon Mikkyō and the Tendai sects.

08/08/2014

Satsuma Sendai (Kagoshima) Giant Tug-of-War

The Otsunahiki, aka the Great Sendai tug-of-war, is an annual festival held in Satsuma Sendai in Kagoshima. It is a massive tug of war held around the autumn equinox every year. The event dates back 400 years to when a feudal lord wanted to raise morale after
many local people had been sent to war.

Up to 3,000 people (young and old including men, women and children) form two teams at the end of a massive 1200 ft (365 meter) rope weighing several tons. They and pull against each other with thousands of spectators cheering them on.

07/08/2014

Kaba Bus

Literally, Hippopotamus Bus, the bus is drives on the land and right into Lake Yamanaka - one of the five lakes around Mt Fuji. If you are lucky enough to catch a clear day at Mt Fuji, imagine the photo opportunities from the land AND the water, all the while in the comfort of one vehicle.

There are six departures per day and the cost is $20 for and adult and $10 for a child. The trip lasts about one hour. (Confirm pricing and departure times prior to going.) Japanese language only but the view is beautiful in any language.

Time to book that trip! Contact HIS.

06/08/2014

Heisen-ji Hakusan Shrine

Heisen-ji Hakusan Shrine, also known as Kokedera, Heisenji Temple is situated in Katsuyama City, Fukui Prefecture. The founder Taicho Daishi, discovered Mitarai Pond, built a shrine by this pond, and ascended Mt. Hakusan from this spot. A revolt in 1574 occured when 6,000 monks during the Genpei era destroyed the shrine. Today, this area is characterized by a tranquil mood and the beauty of moss that carpets clumps of cedar trees.

http://www.env.go.jp/en/nature/nps/park/parks/hakusan.html

05/08/2014

Sengaku-ji Temple

Sengaku-ji (泉岳寺?) is a Sōtō Zen Buddhist temple located in the Takanawa neighborhood of Minato-ku, near Sengakuji Station and Shinagawa Station in Tokyo. Each year on December 14, Sengakuji Temple holds a festival commemorating the 47-Ronin event (the most famous example of the samurai code of honor courage, and loyalty--bushido--as the country's "national legend").

The graves of Asano Takumi no Kami Naganori and the Forty-seven Ronin are there. This is where these rōnin of the true story that became the Kabuki epic Chūshingura committed ritual su***de after avenging their master's death. Their. graves are a popular site of pilgrimage to this day.

04/08/2014

Akihabara's Gachapon Kaikan

Let your "OTAKU" flag fly free at Gachapon Kaikan.

With over 450 gachapon vending machines ("gacha" is the sound a machine makes when the dial is cranked and "pon" is when the toy prize drops), Gachapon Kaikan will provide you with all the anime and manga trinkets you can give your friends on your return from Japan - or you can keep them all for yourself! Blaring J-pop music heightens the excitement when you pop out your 100 to 500 yen ($1-$5) treasures.

Check it out on your next anime and manga inspired trip to Japan.

Destination Japan will be putting another Anime trip next spring so start saving now!

02/08/2014

Kaimei School

Kaimei School (開明学校) is a school located in Seiyo, Ehime, Japan. It was built in 1882, and is considered to be the oldest school in Shikoku. With its rare Giyōfū architectural style the Kaimei School was designated as one of the important cultural properties of Japan in May 1997. Today the school is a museum where 6,000 precious documents are stored and displayed including school textbooks in the Edo period through the early Showa period and documents on school administration.

31/07/2014

Sapporo Beer Garden

The Genghis Khan Hall in its old glory is a red brick building with ivy climbing up the sides. Built in the year 23 of the Meiji era, it served as a government office building when the government was sending pioneers to Hokkaido. This profound historical building has an atmosphere that will give you an unique feeling every time you set foot inside.

Perfect complement to your Sapporo ramen!

How about that Sapporo Snow Festival Tour - anyone interested now? Festival is from February 5th till 11th, 2015.

30/07/2014

Echizen Washi (Japanese Paper)

Echizen-shi in Fukui Prefecture has been the home of Echizen-washi (Japanese paper) for centuries. Approximately 80 factories engaged in papermaking are concentrated in one small valley. Each factory produces washi throughout the year, mainly as a family business. The washi of this region is distinguished by its rich variety, and includes traditional thick paper for ceremonial use, and torinoko paper (a strong smooth paper). Washi is also made in various sizes for business cards and postcards and for drawing and writing paper. Echizen-washi was designated a traditional craft in 1976.

29/07/2014

Sapporo Ramen Yokocho

There are three major types of ramen in Japan. Fukuoka has "Hakata Ramen," Fukushima has "Kitagata Ramen," and Hokkaido has "Sapporo Ramen."

"Ramen Yokocho" means a small street with several ramen restautants. Sapporo is famous for the many Sapporo noodle shops.

Contact HIS to visit Hokkaido on your next visit to Japan. Anyone interested in us putting together a Sapporo Ice Festival Tour for next February?

28/07/2014

Eihei-ji Temple

Eihei-ji Temple, located 16 kilometers to the southeast of Fukui City at the center of the prefecture, is the headquarters of the Soto sect of Buddhism, with 15,000 branch temples nationwide. It was originally built by the Buddhist monk Dogen in the 13th century.

http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/location/spot/shritemp/eiheiji.html

24/07/2014

Takachiho Gorge in Miyazaki

A part of Japan you probably haven't seen yet - so beautiful!

http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/location/regional/miyazaki/takachiho.html

23/07/2014

Sendai's Tanabata Festival is on August 8, 2014

The Sendai Tanabata Matsuri is held in August in accordance with the lunar calendar, which was used before the Meiji Restoration in 1868. Similar events are organized throughout the nation, but the festival held here is the most famous of all. Unique to Sendai are the Seven Ornaments, which embody prayers for progress in studies or calligraphy, the wellbeing of one's family, good health and longevity, prosperous business, a large catch and a rich harvest.
They consist of colored paper in rectangular strips, kimono made of Japanese paper, cranes made by folding square paper, drawstring pouches made of paper, cast nets made of paper, waste baskets made of paper and streamers made of colored paper shaped into rings and joined in chains, or shaped like the brush of a broom.

The tradition of celebrating Tanabata in this region originated more than 400 years ago, around the time of Date Masamune (1567-1636) who was the warlord of the Sendai Clan, but it came to be held in the current grandiose style only after 1928, the year of the Tohoku Industrial Exposition. Although the festival had to be suspended during World War II, it recommenced soon after the war ended with the aim of reviving the city, and developed into the greatest Tanabata event in Japan as well as a major tourist event of the Tohoku District. All kinds of attractions such as fireworks, parades and concerts are also featured during this festival.

http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/location/spot/festival/sendaitanabata.html

19/07/2014

Super Sento

Tokyo life can certainly be stressful. The city is so full of people everywhere it can make big cities in other countries seem like ghost towns. And with a long-hours culture in which salary-men can work more than 12 hours a day, Tokyoites need some way of letting off steam and relaxing. One of the most popular solutions to this problem has become the Super Sento...

Check out the link below for more information:

http://www.unmissabletokyo.com/super-sento

17/07/2014

Tiny town in northern Japan creates gorgeous, gigantic artwork out of rice paddies

http://en.rocketnews24.com/2014/07/18/tiny-town-in-northern-japan-creates-gorgeous-gigantic-artwork-out-of-rice-paddies-%E3%80%90video%E3%80%91/

16/07/2014

One of the great pleasures of visiting Japan can be the food. Even fast food can be an adventure as menus are geared toward the Japanese palate.

Denny's serves an nice Japanese breakfast that can be easy to order (pointing at pictures), moderately priced, and satisfying. Try it next time you are in Japan. Check out Denny's menu for more selections - sorry Japanese only.

http://www.dennys.jp/dny/menu/dennys/morning/morning.html #

16/07/2014

Sado Island Earth Celebration Music Festival - August 22-24, 2014

Earth Celebration is a global music festival organised by the internationally acclaimed taiko drumming ensemble Kodo. The festival has been held annually since 1988 under the theme “Tataku” (to beat a rhythm) at Kodo’s home, Sado Island, Niigata, Japan. Every year the festival attracts five to ten thousand visitors. The event's main venues are a park on a hilltop, the precincts of a shrine, an oceanfront park, and a traditional shopping street in Sado City.

http://www.seejapan.co.uk/jnto_trade/news_detail/14-06-16/sado-island-earth-celebration-music-festival

H.I.S. International Tours

07/10/2014

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