An alternative guide to Japan

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Darumayama Kōgen, Fuji Filling the Frame

At Darumayama Kōgen, on the Izu Peninsula, an old volcano offers two sunsets at once: Fuji across Suruga Bay on one side, the Sagami Sea on the other. A walk to the summit.

Urban Exploration

We slip through Japan’s forgotten corridors; silent rooftops, rusted tunnels, and cities paused in time.

@jordymeow

@jordymeow

This week in Japan

316 festivals and events, Nov 2 to Nov 8

Mon 2 Nov Event Now Gionza Village Kabuki Takamatsu (Kagawa-cho), Kagawa · until Nov 8 In the hills south of Takamatsu, villagers stage kabuki at a shrine theatre, keeping a farmers' tradition alive. Mon 2 Nov Matsuri Now The giant catfish of Omura Shrine Iga (Ao), Mie · until Nov 3 At the shrine said to pin down the earthquake catfish, a giant catfish float parades with three mikoshi and lion dances. Mon 2 Nov Art festival Now Miyama Craft Week Hioki (Higashi-Ichiki), Kagoshima · until Nov 3 The Satsuma-ware potters village opens its kilns and studios for five days of crafts and shows. Mon 2 Nov Illumination Now Bonto Lamp Evenings at Torin-in Kyoto (Ukyo, Myoshinji), Kyoto · until Nov 8 Hundreds of small lamps trace patterns in the garden of a Myoshin-ji sub-temple. Mon 2 Nov Illumination Now Suo Kokubunji by Night Hofu, Yamaguchi · until Nov 8 The golden hall of one of the few provincial temples still standing on its Nara-era site glows at night, with concerts. Mon 2 Nov Market Now Amakusa Great Ceramics Fair Amakusa, Kumamoto · until Nov 4 About a hundred kilns from Amakusa, the island of porcelain stone, sell direct, with wheel-throwing tryouts. Mon 2 Nov Illumination Now Izumi Bamboo Lantern Festival Izumi, Kagoshima · until Nov 3 Bamboo lanterns light the samurai houses of Izumi's Fumoto district, just as the cranes arrive for winter. Mon 2 Nov Art festival Now Kyoto Modern Architecture Festival Kyoto, Kyoto · until Nov 8 Meiji to Showa-era banks, schools and cafes open their usually closed doors over two weekends. Mon 2 Nov Matsuri Now Hakushu-sai Water Parade, Yanagawa Yanagawa, Fukuoka · until Nov 3 Lantern-lit punts drift through Yanagawa's canals at night in memory of the poet Kitahara Hakushu, born here. Mon 2 Nov Matsuri Now Onomichi Becchara Matsuri Onomichi, Hiroshima · until Nov 3 Three masked demons chase children through Onomichi's lanes, whacking heads with bamboo to make them clever.

+306 more festivals and shows this week All on the app’s map, day by day. iPhone Android

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Offbeat

Dates estimated from past years: check the official site before you go.

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