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Winter weather and winter charm!
It feels as if autumn has come and gone in a flash, and now with the dropping temperatures, it looks like it's winter already! Nevertheless, it has started to become more and more festive out, there may already be holiday themed decorations and lights set up. Soon enough the shortest day of the year will arrive, and we'll begin to get more and more sun!
Japan's autumn foliage might be slightly past its peak by now, but Mt. Fuji has been slowly building its iconic winter cap. Winter is one of the best times for the mountain to be seen, at certain times of the year it hides behind the clouds more often than not. Make your way to the Fuji Five Lakes and explore for a great day trip!
November the 3rd marked Culture Day in Japan, a holiday to celebrate the arts and culture in Japan, and commemorate the announcement of the new constitution in 1946. November 23rd was also Labour Thanksgiving Day, a day to give thanks to people in the labor sector and each other. Gion Odori was held in the first part of the month in Kyoto, featuring dances from maiko and geiko, and the Autumn Kemari Festival in Nara, characterised by priests dressed in traditional robes and playing kemari, a ball game that was played in the Heian and Kamakura periods.
This month we have Mie Prefecture, onsens, skiing, and more - let's go!
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Kyushu, the southernmost of the main islands of Japan, has an abundance of autumn foliage spots, let's take a look at some!
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Mie Prefecture, found on the Kii Peninsula, is home to some stunning sights and experiences, and it's not too far from Tokyo!
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Onsens are some of the most popular destinations in Japan, here's a great selection of onsens in the Japanese Alps!
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Ski season is upon us in Japan, so how is it shaping up in Hokkaido?
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See winter Japan with some stunning tours!
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Autumn is here but winter is quickly approaching, so let's find an appropriate kigo to use for this month's haiku!
Our word this time is 初霜! Read as 'hatsushimo', this kigo means 'the first frost'. As the temperatures get colder and colder, when you are out and about on a chilly morning, you may notice the frost decorating the surroundings. 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 - 初霜や (hatsushimo ya)
Then a 7 mora line - 落ち葉輝き (ochiba kagayaki)
And lastly 5 mora - 息をつく (iki wo tsuku)
Completed, our haiku reads as -
初霜や (hatsushimo ya)
落ち葉輝き (ochiba kagayaki)
息をつく (iki wo tsuku)
The first frost,
Fallen leaves glitter,
And breath is taken.
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) Mie Prefecture is home to one of the most sacred shrines in Japan, Ise Jingu. Have you been before?
2) Onsens in the Japanese Alps are some of the best, do you have a favourite you want to visit?
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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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- Read all about exploring the Hokuriku area from Alessia Horwich.
- Learn about luxury accommodation on the island of Taketomi in Okinawa by Emma Dooney.
- 'Japanese Art History à la Takashi Murakami', a new art exhibition by Gagoisan, featuring art by Takashi Murakami, is running from 10 December to 8 March.
- The Daiwa Foundation is presenting an exhibition by photographer Sayuri Ichida, entitled 'transiənt' (transient), from 29 January to 7 March 2025.
- Movie fans can enjoy screenings of Satoshi Kon's 'Tokyo Godfathers' in Cardiff on the 21st and 23rd of December!
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Let's take a quick look at something cool going on in Japan! |
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- Japanese knives are known throughout the world as being some of the highest quality kitchen utensils in the world. Now you have the chance to tour two distinct workshops in the Echizen area, famous for its knives and craftsmenship. The workshops are Yamaken Woodworks, which specialises in making unique handles, and Ryusen Hamono, which creates stunning knives. You'll learn about the knife making process, and see the passion that all the artisans brings to their craft. Find out more here!
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Did you know that there are a multitude of performance art experiences available in Japan? Whether you are learning how to play to Okinawan Sanshin, participating in traditional dance, or a Nohgaku workshop, there is bound to be something for everyone!
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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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