Nikko-Yumoto, a hot spring hotel located near the picturesque Nikko National Park, will hold a limited-time event starting October 6. On select nights in October and November, guests are invited to sit around a bonfire and enjoy the full moon, new moon, and meteor showers while learning about astrology!

Harvested throughout the autumn months, Natsuotome strawberries grown in nearby Senjogahara are used to make a hot fruit wine to enjoy while gazing at the night sky. A warm drink will be perfect for cold nights in Oku-Nikko, located over 1,500 meters above sea level. In October, the night temperature can be as low as 40 degrees Fahrenheit! For those not wanting something alcoholic, feel free to enjoy some tasty hot cocoa. 

What’s the first thing you think of when you see a bonfire? Roasting marshmallows, of course! During the event, a bag of magical powder will be tossed into the fire, turning the flames into different colors. Don’t worry–the powder itself contains no harmful substances and is safe for both humans and the environment. 

An onsen (hot spring) accommodation “Hoshino Resort Kai Aso” located in Oita Prefecture’s Senomonot Onsen will open an open-air bath “Yuki Rotenburo” where you can view the snow scenery (rare in Kyusyu) from the 1^st of December to the 28^th of February 2018. Also, they will hold events including “Yama Mizore Nabe Kaiseki” where you can enjoy nabe (hot pot) with gourd-shaped cheese and “Juhyo Trekking Tour” where you can enjoy the scenery of hoar frost-covered trees.

Very rare in Kyusyu. Yukimi Rotenburo

Kai Aso is an area in Kyushu which receives snow fall, and you can enjoy the snow scenery while soaking on an open-air bath which is installed in every room. You can also enjoy a special onsen which float kabosu and yuzu (Japanese citrus fruits) inside the bath. Also, “Yogan Onsen Set” where you can enjoy the boiling onsen using the baked plaster of melted rock. After taking a bath, you can enjoy the beauty skin pack made with limonite which contains lots of minerals. Let’s enjoy this fun experience.

 “Yama no Mizore Nabe” where you can enjoy a gourd-shaped cheese.

They will offer tea-ceremony dishes using gourd-shaped cheese called “Caciocavallo” and “Yama no Mizore Nabe” offered in a caldera-shaped pot. The nabe is originally made based on the image of Aso Caldera’s grasslands which is one of the largest grasslands in the world and is a nabe cuisine using a healthy soup using lots of grated daikon, Japanese beef and winter vegetables. You can cut the cheese and add it into the pot. The texture of the cheese will become chewy like mochi (rice cake). Let’s enjoy this dish produced in the land of Aso using this beautiful pot.

 “Juhyo Trekking Tour” where you can enjoy the “art of ice.”

Juhyo (hoar frost covered trees) is also known as the “art of ice” where frozen water vapor sticks to trees. The phenomenon can be only seen in very cold places. The contrast between blue sky and the juhyo on a sunny day is so beautiful. Kai Aso will offer a trekking tour where participators can walk around the mountain to see juhyo. Professional guides will guide you and explain how to walk in the snowy mountains.

Let’s enjoy the winter views of Kyusyu at “Hoshino Resort Kai Aso.”

The beautiful Japanese iris have come into bloom at Meiji Shrine’s inner garden. Emperor Meiji himself planted the iris in the imperial garden just for the Empress. They have been tended to for many years, and can be seen in full bloom throughout June.

The Inner Garden has 1,500 irises planted in 150 different varieties, all mixed colorfully together, and each with their own name plates. If you look at the plants closely you’ll notice how each one is different in shape from the next, so you should try finding your favourite iris in the garden.

The Meiji Shrine Inner Garden is enveloped in green at every hour throughout the day. It’s easy to forget that it’s located in the bustling town of Harajuku, making it a place where you can truly feel peace and tranquility.

In the park is a path of irises that lead up a small hill that has an arbour with a thatched roof. It’s a great place to relax and gaze at the beautiful scenery.

There are water lilies in bloom too in addition to the Japanese irises. They will be out until July, so make sure to head on out to find them.

Related article: 【Events in June】 Embrace Japan’s rainy season and its beautiful flowers at the “Ajisai Matsuri” at Hakusan Shrine

Related article: 【Event in June】An enormous “Shishi” (Japanese lion-mask) will parade through the city in the festival called “Tsukiji Shishi Matsuri”

Japan’s rainy season is imminent. When the rainfall starts in the morning you might think to yourself, “Ugh, I really don’t want to leave the house today.” But what you have to remember is the gorgeous “ajisai” – the Japanese hydrangea – that bloom all around Japan during this time.

Blues, purples, pinks and whites. The ajisai dotted around the neighbourhoods are multicoloured, meaning you are bound to find a variety of different gorgeous flowers as you stroll around.

The ajisai is actually native to Japan. There are currently signs of selective breeding of the plants that are being reimported in Europe and America, but the ajisai is actually a plant that has been loved since ancient times in Japan during this season.

There are lots of ajisai spots in the city, but we recommend the Hakusan Shrine and Hakusan Park as the places to see this beautiful bloom where they are holding the Ajisai Festival (Ajisai Matsuri). They are a 3-5 minute walk from Hon-Komagome Station and Hakusan Station.

It’s one of 5 big festivals in Bunkyō-ku where an estimated 3,000 flowers are in full bloom in all colours from the shrine grounds to the park. Lots of events are scheduled to take place on Saturday and Sunday, where you can see fujizuka, cultural properties that represent Mount Fuji that are not usually on show to the public. There will also be plenty of refreshment booths.

Whether the weather is pleasant or rainy, make sure you make your way over to Ajisai Matsuri to warm up your soul.

Related article: Let’s go outside and have fun even during the rainy season. The event,“GINZA Hyakusankai”(Enjoy Rainy Day Style) where over 3,000 umbrellas will be exhibited.

Related article: Experience the Edo period at ECO EDO Nihonbashi 2017 ～Enjoy the Real Edo with your Five Senses〜 open from 7th July!