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Autumn begins to approach!
It seems as if the weather has started to turn as of late, with slightly chillier temperatures and some hints of the changing leaves. You might be seeing more and more leaves on the ground, and it might soon be time to take out the coat and scarf. Think of a few top autumn leaf viewing spots, it could be time to visit them soon! We've still had a smattering of good weather, but nothing like the peak of summer. With the sun setting a little latter every day, make sure to enjoy the last bits of summer as much as possible!
Japan still has the high temperatures of summer, with some places hitting over 30 degrees! Eventually the heat will subside, and one of the most beautiful times in Japan will start! The mountainsides will come to life with changing leaves, and streets will be lined with bright colours. From the ginkgo to the maple, the tree varieties are nearly endless!
On the holiday front, with early August came the time for Obon, a custom in Japan where people honor their ancestors. This is also the time where Bon Odori occurs, traditional dances that date back hundreds of years. August also had Mountain Day, a day to celebrate and pay respects to the many mountains of Japan. While Mt. Fuji might be the most famous of all the peaks in Japan, don't forget about just as beautiful mountains such as Mt. Daisen, Mt. Yotei, or the Hakkoda Mountains.
In other Japanese news, the 60th anniversary of the shinkansen bullet train is speedily approaching, as well as the Osaka Expo in April of next year!
This month we have things to do in the Chugoku region and more - let's go!
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We head to the Chugoku region of Japan and explore the beautiful Okayama Prefecture!
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Yamaguchi Prefecture, at the western end of the main island of Honshu, is full of shrines, caves, and bridges, a perfect place to visit!
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Nara Prefecture, located in the Kansai region, has storied temples and mountains, and so many exciting things to see!
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Read about a few tips and tricks for when you visit a Shinto shrine. From washing your hands to bowing, here's a quick guide!
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Japan Matsuri is coming back again! On October 6 in Trafalgar Square, there will be a huge celebration of Japanese culture, from perfomances to food, make sure not to miss it!
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See Japan through some exciting tours!
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Autumn is inching closer and closer with every day. Let's look for a nice kigo that fits into this autumn vibe!
Our word this time is 秋気! Read as 'shuuki', this can be translated to 'autumn air'. There tends to be crispiness in the autumn air that you can feel, especially in the morning that signifies the changing season. Let's see what sort of haiku we can make!
Haikus are made with a 17 mora combination in 5-7-5 style, with occasional 'kireji' punctuation.
Our first line has our seasonal word and is 5 mora - 秋気の日 (shuuki no hi)
Then a 7 mora line - 富士山が待つ (fujisan ga matsu)
And lastly 5 mora - 冠雪や (kansetsu ya)
Completed, our haiku reads as -
秋気の日 (shuuki no hi)
富士山が待つ (fujisan ga matsu)
冠雪や (kansetsu ya)
A day of autumn air,
Mt. Fuji waits,
For its dusting of snow.
Haiku writing can be challenging yet fun, have you written one before?
Send a haiku you've made to our Instagram account @visitjapan_uk and we may feature them in future newsletters!
Here's some highlights of what we've learned over the past few months:
1) Yamaguchi Prefecture has one of the longest cave systems in Japan, have you been before?
2) Okayama Prefecture is famous for denim, why not get some jeans from Japan?
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There's lots of Japan related events and shows happening in the UK - Let's see what's going on! |
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- Japan Matsuri, a celebration of all there is to love about Japan, will be happening on October 6th in Trafalgar Square, make sure to stop by!
- Voting is still open in the Wanderlust Reader Travel Awards, where Japan was nominated again, don't forget to cast your vote!
- The highly praised show 'Shogun' won 18 Emmys at the 76th edition of the awards show, have you seen it yet?
- Book a flight to Japan soon with participating airlines and you can get free domestic flights! Find more information here.
- From October 2nd, Japan House London's new exhibit, 'Looks Delicious! Exploring Japan's food replica culture', will begin, all about the fun food displays you see in stores and restaurants in Japan.
- Ever thought about dining deep in the woods of Toyama Prefecture? Well now's your time to do so at L'evo!
- Read about the skilled craftsmen and chefs, and all the stunning experiences you can have in the Hokuriku Region, by Lisa Grainger.
- Learn about the red-crowned cranes of Hokkaido and other birds in Lonely Planet's 'The Joy of Birdwatching'.
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Japan's transportation system is huge and can take you all over the country. Make travel even easier by securing yourself an IC card!
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That’s it from us for this month!
Keep up with all this and much, much more by following us on Facebook and Instagram.
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