Culture How Japan Welcomes the New Year: Traditions, Spirit, and Celebration
In Japan, the transition from one year to the next—known as toshikoshi—is one of the most significant cultural moments o...
Culture 
December Winter Illuminations in Odaiba: Tokyo’s Waterfront Wonderland
Odaiba, Tokyo’s futuristic waterfront district, is one of the city’s most popular winter destinations. Known for its sho...
Event / Festival Hanazono Shrine’s Tori-no-Ichi Festival: A Lively Celebration of Luck in the Heart of Shinjuku
Known in Japanese as the Ōtori Matsuri (大酉祭), this annual event draws thousands of people from all over Japan who come t...