An alternative guide to Japan

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Benten Pond, the Torii Takes the Plunge

In Mizuguchi, Shiga Prefecture, a stone torii stands with its feet in the water among the lilies, facing an island no path reaches anymore. Behind it, four reservoirs draw the character for "heart" across the landscape.

Urban Exploration

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

@jordymeow

@jordymeow

This week in Japan

279 festivals and events, Nov 11 to Nov 17

Wed 11 Nov Illumination Now Kingonji's giant ginkgo lit at night Okuizumo, Shimane · until Nov 14 A 600-year-old ginkgo blazes gold against the black night of Okuizumo, alone above the harvested fields. Wed 11 Nov Exhibition Now Sennyu-ji Four Seasons Fusuma Kyoto (Higashiyama), Kyoto · until Nov 15 For ten days only, the imperial family temple shows a cycle of 42 painted doors of the four seasons. Wed 11 Nov Illumination Now Shizutani School Light-up Bizen, Okayama · until Nov 15 Japan's oldest school for commoners, roofed in Bizen tiles, is lit at night with its two flame-red kai trees. Thu 12 Nov Matsuri Soon Tanadui, Taketomi seed-sowing festival Taketomi, Okinawa · until Nov 13 For two days Taketomi offers its gods about eighty dances and plays, from morning until night. Fri 13 Nov Matsuri Soon Jion-e Night Debate Nara, Nara At night, monks duel in chanted questions and answers on doctrine, a thousand-year-old public examination. Fri 13 Nov Matsuri Soon Lacquer Festival at Horin-ji Kyoto (Nishikyo, Arashiyama), Kyoto Kyoto's lacquer artisans climb to this Arashiyama temple to thank the Buddha said to have revealed their craft. Fri 13 Nov Event Soon Kuzuryu Shrine Monthly Rite Hakone, Kanagawa On the 13th of each month a boat takes pilgrims to the shrine of the nine-headed dragon on the shore of Lake Ashi. Fri 13 Nov Illumination Soon Sennen Akari Bamboo Lanterns Hita, Oita · until Nov 15 Thousands of bamboo lanterns light Hita's old merchant quarter of Mameda and the Kagetsu riverbank for three nights. Sat 14 Nov Matsuri Week-end Yamashiro Tanuki Festival Miyoshi (Yamashiro), Tokushima The village of yokai legends celebrates its trickster tanuki in the little street outside Awa-Kawaguchi station. Sat 14 Nov Illumination Week-end Nariai-ji Maple Light-up Miyazu, Kyoto · until Nov 15 For two evenings only, the mountain temple above Amanohashidate lights its maples and pagoda.

+269 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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