A look at some of the more popular summer festivals around Osaka, Japan.
Kyoto, Japan on a rainy New Years Day
A tiny village in Miyazaki prefecture, Japan. Tucked in the middle of 3 mountains and home to 1400 great villagers.
Kitakata is in the Fukushima Prefecture, North of Japan in the middle of the island, between Fukushima (Pacific Ocean coast) and Niigata (Japanese See coast). Is a quiet and small town famous for his great Ramen, a noodle soup.
Chinzan-so ("Camellia Mountain Estate") is the former estate of Prince Yamagata, a Meiji-era politician. Its expansive manicured grounds are enveloped by the hustle-and-bustle of the Tokyo's ultra-urban surrounds, and stepping through the gates is like stepping back in time 100 years.
All too often I'm a little disappointed with Kyoto's tourist attractions. They tend to be crowded, over-sign-posted, and somehow lacking in soul.
A few things to look forward to at a typical Summer Festival in Japan
A look at photos that let you know where you are.
The observation deck of this quirky office tower has the best views of Kansai's most populous city. Go just before sundown, and watch as the city slowly comes alive.