An alternative guide to Japan

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Fujisan Ryokan, the Night Stands Tall

At the end of a dark road in Iwate, Fujisan Ryokan in Namari Onsen and its bath deep enough to stand in. A night in a ryokan where everything grows upward.

Urban Exploration

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

@jordymeow

@jordymeow

This week in Japan

275 festivals and events, Nov 5 to Nov 11

Thu 5 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. Thu 5 Nov Matsuri Last day Tsunami Matsuri: building up the dyke each year Hirokawa, Wakayama Since 1903, villagers have added earth to the dyke Hamaguchi Goryo built after the 1854 tsunami, then honour the dead. Thu 5 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. Thu 5 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. Thu 5 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. Thu 5 Nov Matsuri Last day Fujinomiya Autumn Festival Fujinomiya, Shizuoka Some twenty floats face off in drum and flute duels in front of the head shrine of Mount Fuji. Thu 5 Nov Season Now Hirosaki Castle Chrysanthemum and Autumn Leaves Festival Hirosaki, Aomori · until Nov 8 A thousand red maples, a Mount Iwaki made of chrysanthemums and flower dolls next to neputa paintings. Thu 5 Nov Matsuri Now Gion Odori Kyoto (Gion), Kyoto · until Nov 10 The only geiko and maiko dance show Kyoto stages in autumn, put on by the small Gion Higashi district. Fri 6 Nov Illumination Soon Hori Garden autumn night opening Tsuwano, Shimane · until Nov 8 The garden of a copper-mining dynasty opens for three nights, its maples reflected in the pond below the old house. Fri 6 Nov Matsuri Soon Tochigi Autumn Float Festival Tochigi, Tochigi · until Nov 8 Every other year, Meiji-era floats topped with tall dolls roll between the town's old warehouses.

+265 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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