Activities Japan in Summer 2013 - My Coolest Trip Ever Alena Eckelmann Virginia from Spain was amongst the selected applicants for the Japan Travel Photojournalism Internship in summer 2013. She came..
Activities Celebrating Ume - Hanami in Tanabe 2026 Early Feb - Early Mar Celebrate spring at Kansai's best ume (Japanese plum) viewing spot at the Kishu Ishigami Tanabe Ume Orchards in the south of..
Culture Wakayama’s Kumano Sanzan Arlene Bastion The Kumano Taisha are dedicated to nature worship, with the splendour of their shrines made more compelling thanks to the beautiful..
Food Super Ume - Old Poems and New Health Alena Eckelmann Ume, the Japanese plum, is in full bloom in February. Ume appreciation reached poetic heights in the Manyoshu poem collection from..
Culture Kumano Hongu Shrine Spring Festival 2026 Apr 13th - Apr 15th The spring festival at the Hongu Taisha from April 13th to 15th each year gets absolutely everyone in Hongu Town to participate..
Food Tanabe’s Famous Plums Alena Eckelmann The Tanabe area has the most ume (Japanese plum) orchards in Japan. Many farmers and companies here produce ume foods, such as umeboshi..
Activities Welcome Spring with Ume Viewing Alena Eckelmann The Kishu Ishigami Tanabe Ume Orchards near Tanabe City in the south of Wakayama Prefecture have more than 300,000 ume trees. The..
Activities Virgin Forest in Hyakkenzan Gorge Alena Eckelmann Hyakkenzan Gorge in the south of the Kii Peninsula is not only a scenic place with many waterfalls but there is also a virgin forest...