Your browser does not support JavaScript, or it is disabled．Please check the site policy for more information Kanagawa Prefecture--Every Japanese over a certain age can fondly recall playing with an ”Oyama koma” spinning top during their childhood But now the simple traditional wooden plaything designated as part of the country’s cultural heritage Once a popular souvenir for pilgrims visiting the famous Shinto shrine here during the Edo Period (1603-1867) the production of the hand-made tops is at risk of disappearing altogether Local communities are struggling to preserve this cultural treasure to pass it on to future generations an annual spinning top competition is held at Takabeya Elementary School in Isehara The festival featured two competitions: One to see whose top could spin the longest and another to test accuracy by hitting a target with the top “I’ve been playing with Oyama tops since I was a child,” said 59-year-old organizer Masaru Nishikiori and we need to preserve and promote them.” municipal education officials and local community members joined the project “It was also an opportunity for the craftsman to see how much fun children have playing with tops,” said 51-year-old organizer Daisuke Iijima The festival expanded in its second year by accepting participants from outside the local community It also received a subsidy for the first time from the Cultural Affairs Agency The 74-year-old is the eighth-generation owner of Kanekoya a top shop located on the Komasando pathway leading to Oyama Afurijinja shrine Kaneko repeatedly expressed his fears about the craft disappearing once he is gone And here’s the rub: The only way to increase the number of artisans is to show they can make a living it takes several years of apprenticeship to create a marketable top Matters are further compounded by the recent surge in prices and fuel which have tripled the cost of dogwood and other raw materials forcing Kaneko in April to raise the price of his tops for the first time in five years Hemp string used to spin the tops is also now harder to obtain He has been discussing ways to increase the number of craftsmen with members of the city’s education board and the local Junior Chamber International One suggestion was to offer aspiring craftsmen a place where they could learn the basics of woodworking and how to use a lathe Officials in Isehara have been racking their brains for years to find ways to promote Oyama tops This bore fruit in 2013 with the debut of the city’s lovable mascot “Kururin,” whose head is shaped like the traditional toy the city knows it must do more to cultivate successor artisans to keep the tradition alive “By collaborating with other city departments we will continue to promote the Oyama top and highlight its appeal,” said a city education official Students striving to restore piano made by Chopin’s favorite maker Boat swept away by 2011 tsunami bonds cities across the Pacific Shinto festival in Mie blasted over mistreatment of horses Fall Takayama Festival returns to delight crowds after 3 years Information on the latest cherry blossom conditions Please right click to use your browser’s translation function.) A series based on diplomatic documents declassified by Japan’s Foreign Ministry Here is a collection of first-hand accounts by “hibakusha” atomic bomb survivors chefs and others involved in the field of food introduce their special recipes intertwined with their paths in life A series about Japanese-Americans and their memories of World War II In-house News and Messages No reproduction or republication without written permission National Report A man arrested on suspicion of shoplifting and assaulting a store clerk in Kanagawa Prefecture last month is believed to be a U.S Kanagawa prefectural police arrested Scott Andrew Smith citizen living in Isehara in the prefecture He is accused of stealing a snack priced at 235 yen ($1.56) from a convenience store in January and punching a male store clerk who pursued him Smith told investigators that he came to Japan on a vacation and chose to stay Investigators believe he had been living in Japan for an extended period asked Kanagawa prefectural police to arrest the suspect on suspicion of deserting from an overseas military base “We are aware of the individual in custody and are working closely with local authorities to investigate the details of the situation.” (This article was written by Shuhei Nakajima and Junji Murakami.) Ito-Yokado gives locations of final five stores to shut by February Okinawa home to 60% of COVID-19 cases at U.S Masked suspect caught after daytime heist at Kawasaki store This work, USNH Yokosuka’s Emergency Response Team Supports Kanagawa's Annual “Big Rescue” Drill, by erika figueroa, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright There are various kinds of pilgrimages: a nature pilgrimage a personal pilgrimage to someone or somewhere dear to you (for example and a traditional pilgrimage to a sacred place travel within Japan was strictly controlled and people had to have a valid reason to hit the road Note that the kanji for kanko is to “see” and be “enlightened.” The only way regular folk could travel was on a pilgrimage and Oyama Mairi was one of the most famous destinations That is because walking to Oyama in today’s Isehara the more demanding Shikoku Ohenro or Kumano Kodo a pilgrimage to Oyama was also a much-anticipated fun getaway It is said that an incredible one-fifth of Edo’s inhabitants traveled to Mount Oyama each year But only men were allowed to put on their “waraji” straw sandals and travel Women had to stay at home and wait for the men in their lives to return with stories of the journey I suspect that many ladies didn’t mind that much and enjoyed having precious time to themselves Oyama blossomed as a hub for Oyama Kanze-ryu Noh theater and comedic rakugo performances Shukuba inns catered to the whims of the pilgrims restaurants served fresh tofu made with pristine mountain water Many ukiyo-e woodblock prints depict Mount Oyama and the pilgrimage there are two places of worship: Oyamadera Buddhist temple which houses an iron Fudo Myo-o (a Wisdom King who changes anger into salvation) The 1,252-meter mountain is often shrouded in rain clouds and is sometimes called Amefuri-yama so people who hope for rain to fall or stop are encouraged to pay a visit to pray The wall of a tofu restaurant I visited was adorned with four-character calligraphy that read shingemuhou which I interpret as “we create our world through our beliefs.” A pilgrimage to Oyama heart and head to learn--an enjoyable mini-vacation with a spiritual bent a Washington-born and Tokyo-based photographer originally appeared in the June 2 issue of Asahi Weekly Places and Events," which depicts various parts of the country through the perspective of the author Lisa’s Wanderings Around Japan/Ise Jingu: Finding divine grace along with hospitality at a grand shrine Lisa’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Japan/ Hana-no-Iwaya: A looming entrance to the underworld Lisa’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Japan/ Mount Fuji: Privately owned publicly sacred peak that a ‘fool’ climbs twice Lisa’s In and Around Tokyo: Asagaya Pearl Center--Stringing locals together with warm voices Lisa’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Japan/ Kasuga Taisha: Vermilion and candles glitter on a sacred path The expected tariff cost is significantly lower than the $4 billion to $5 billion crosstown rival General Motors estimates which Ford attributes to its higher mix of U.S.-built vehicles (SMBC) will acquire about 220 hectares of forest in Isehara as early as in May to reduce its own carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by using the national system for carbon credit trading please disable the ad blocking feature and reload the page This website uses cookies to collect information about your visit for purposes such as showing you personalized ads and content By clicking “Accept all,” you will allow the use of these cookies Users accessing this site from EEA countries and UK are unable to view this site without your consent SMBC will also use the forests as a site to provide environmental education for local children It is rare for a megabank to acquire forests for environmental protection purposes SMBC will acquire a portion of forests owned by a local forestry cooperative for thinning and replanting to preserve habitat for plants and animals and to prevent disasters the company will increase the CO2 emissions absorbed by the forests and add them to its own emissions reductions SMBC expects to reduce emissions by about 700 tons per year The company also plans to develop hiking trails in the forest and use it as a site for a work-study program for local children SMBC is accelerating its efforts to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 The bank also aims to achieve this goal through the use of solar power and other renewable energy sources Our weekly ePaper presents the most noteworthy recent topics in an exciting © 2025 The Japan News - by The Yomiuri Shimbun The second half of the Golden Week holiday period began Wednesday with traffic jams occurring on expressways around the nation in the morning Long lines of cars were seen on outbound lanes in the Kanto region at 10 a.m. according to the Japan Road Traffic Information Center Cars were stuck in a 40-kilometer traffic jam on the Tohoku Expressway starting near the Hanyu Parking Area in Hanyu Traffic was congested for 33 kilometers on the Tomei Expressway starting in the area between the Isehara Junction in Isehara and the Hadano-Nakai Interchange in Hadano A 31-kilometer traffic jam was seen on the Chuo Expressway starting near Kobotoke Tunnel connecting Hachioji cars were stuck in a 29-kilometer traffic jam starting near the Takasaka rest area in Higashi-Matsuyama Public Relations Office, Government of Japan Home > Highlighting JAPAN >Highlighting Japan January 2014>47 Prefectures from A to Y it's nestled in the northern reaches of Isehara City in Kanagawa's Tanzawa-Oyama Quasi-National Park We set out to discover what it had to offer with Eiichi Kaji manager of the Isehara Tourist Association Although you can hike up Mount Oyama from its base most people opt for the convenience of the cable car which can be boarded following an enjoyable 15-minute hike from Oyama Cable Bus Stop The beauty of the surrounding countryside unfolds before your eyes as the cable car makes its way up the mountainside the car makes a brief stop at Oyama-dera Temple this temple is particularly beautiful when surrounded by autumn colors its steep approach lined with dozens of remarkable Buddhist statues The cable car then continues up to Oyama Afuri Shrine From here you can enjoy spectacular views of the island of Enoshima the Miura Peninsula and even Chiba Prefecture across the bay A 90-minute climb from the Afuri-jinja cable car stop will bring you to the shrine's principal building as well as an incredible view of the entire region from the mountain's peak you can see Mount Fuji and even Tokyo Skytree over 50 kilometers away "Spinning tops are Mount Oyama's specialty," Kaji tells me as we watch a craftsman demonstrate how he makes his tops local artisans have been crafting tops of all colors and sizes "The word for 'spin' in Japanese is mawaru which also means 'to follow,'" Kaji explains "So these tops are charms that bring the promise that money and good luck will follow their owners throughout the year." Isehara City's official spinning-top-hatted mascot Kururin is prominently featured on many local souvenirs including T-shirts which benefits from the mountain's pure and delicious water Coming in a variety of forms in many different dishes be sure to stop in at a ryokan for lunch or dinner to give it a try Let yourself be surprised by Kanagawa's spiritual mountain a place at which to be refreshed and at one with nature No article or any part there of may be reproduced without the express permission of the Cabinet Office. Copyright inquiries should be made through this form Kanagawa Prefectuure--Four people were killed in a multivehicle accident on the outbound lanes of the Tomei Expressway here early on Nov “I heard a loud explosion from the expressway and I can see a fire,” prefectural police quoted a man who reported the accident as saying a large trailer and a passenger car--were involved in the accident that occurred around 3:30 a.m Police said the four people who died were in the two trucks and the passenger vehicle the outbound lanes between the interchange and the Isehara Junction in the prefecture were closed because of the accident Copyright © The Asahi Shimbun Company. All rights reserved. No reproduction or republication without written permission. A Japanese wife went to extreme measures after finding out her husband was having an affair. In 2013, a 61-year old woman named Emiko Hirose made headlines for murdering her husband, 70-year-old Yasuo Hirose, in a gruesome manner. The crime scene took place in Isehara, Kanagawa Prefecture, after Yasuo returned home. A crime scene in Japan What made the case unique was Emiko’s unlikely weapon of choice. Instead of the usual gun or knife, she used an object that can be found in every household—a coffee cup. I went mad and hit him more than 10 times with a cup. The simple and seemingly harmless ceramic cup became the downfall of Yasuo. The perpetrator called the police a few minutes after the murder and stated that she had just fought with her husband. I had a quarrel with my husband and now he’s lying unconscious. She later admitted that she was the cause of his death. Her anger apparently reached its peak after finding out that he had cheated on her with someone she greatly disliked. She added that their relationship was rocky due to her husband’s affair and drunk habits. He had an affair with a woman I hate…we argued because my husband had been cheating on me and got drunk every day. Yasuo Hirose was an honorary professor at Yokohama National University. In 1991, he became a professor in the engineering department specializing in electronics and was named a professor emeritus 18 years later. 5 Best Spots to View Autumn Leaves near Tokyo Looking for best autumn leaves spots around Tokyo? One of the best destinations is Kanagawa Prefecture Kanagawa has many tourist attractions such as Yokohama and they are popular side trip destinations from Tokyo I’m sharing 5 spots in Kanagawa where you can enjoy the amazing views of autumn leaves Take a short trip from Tokyo and hunt for the most gorgeous autumn leaves Hakone (箱根) is a town located in the mountain area of west Kanagawa It’s best known for onsen resources and the captivating scenery of rich nature against the backdrop of the magnificent Mt Fuji Leaves of the trees and forests around Hakone turn into warm colours slowly in autumn Lake Ashi (or Ashinoko) is a scenic lake in the famous Onsen town The lake is located at the foot of Mt Hakone and the spectacular view of the lake and the nature with the glorious background of Mt Fuji is one of the top attraction in Hakone area the rich nature of Hakone slowly turn into warm autumn colours Map: http://bit.ly/2M0j0z8 Lake Tanzawa or Tanzawako (丹沢湖) is a lake located to the east of Mt Ashigarakami district within Tanzawa-Ōyama Quasi-National Park The lake was created during the construction of Miho Dam and it’s one of the 50 scenic spots in Kanagawa the lake and the rich nature of its surroundings display an amazing contrast of blue water and red Map: http://bit.ly/2OPSlTp Mt Oyama (大山) is a 1,252 high mountain situated on the border of Isehara Hadano and Atsugi cities with the Tanzawa-Ōyama Quasi-National Park It’s one of the most popular hiking spots near Tokyo and attracts a large number of visitors especially during autumn The light-up event is held around Oyama Temple and Afuri Shrine on the mountain during the season It can be accessed via hiking trails or the cable car which run through the mountain up to the 800 m high Map: http://bit.ly/2Mlol07 Official website: https://www.odakyu.jp/english/sightseeing/tanzawa_oyama/ Hase Temple or Hasedera (長谷寺) is a temple in Kamakura City It’s one of the most popular tourist sites in the area The hill-top temple complex has a gorgeous Japanese garden with maple trees and it is surrounded by the beautiful nature the view of the historical temple and colourful autumn leaves can be enjoyed and the special light-up is held during the season Map: http://bit.ly/2KyjVRZ Hours: 8:00 to 17:00 (March to September)/8:00 to 16:30 (October to February) Sankeien Garden (三渓園) is a traditional Japanese landscape garden located in Yokohama City The 17.5ha vast garden complex consists of several points of interest such as a pond The garden is a popular place to visit through the year but especially for cherry blossoms and autumn leaves viewings Also it’s a popular location for photo shooting including wedding photos Map: http://bit.ly/2LYmDG2 Official Website: https://www.sankeien.or.jp/ For more beautiful autumn leaves spots in Japan "The world is my oyster." As a dedicated globetrotter and hammock enthusiast and discovering the world’s most incredible destinations I’ve always had a deep connection to my roots but my love for adventure has led me to spend over a decade exploring countries across the globe—from culture-rich cities to remote hideaways Travel isn't just a hobby for me; it's a lifestyle I'm constantly searching for new ways to fuel my wanderlust I’ve developed a wealth of knowledge and a treasure trove of tips that make traveling more enjoyable I've come to appreciate not only the beauty of travel but also the importance of understanding diverse cultures and I’m excited to share those lessons with others and firsthand stories that help travelers navigate their journeys to Japan or setting off on a global adventure From hidden gems in Japan to travel hacks that make any trip smoother I hope my insights inspire you to embark on your own adventures and make the most of every moment You can also find my stories here ▶ https://medium.com/@nahobm From Japan’s biggest Higanbana field to hidden gems: the best places to see Higanbana Everyone knows about Japan’s famous cherry blossoms and many are also familiar with momiji or autumn leaves But what you may not know so much is that in Japan different types of flowers are enjoyed almost all year round and right at the end of summer and the beginning of fall we have the higanbana or red spider lilies Right at the end of summer and the beginning of fall Those of you who like manga and anime may be familiar with these flowers and although their official name is manjushage they are also known as “hell flowers” or even “ghost flowers” But today most people know them better by the name higanbana In Japanese Buddhist mythology the world of the living and the dead is divided by the Sanzu River The world on the other side of the Sanzu River (the side of the dead) is said to be the Higan (彼岸) a Buddhist term that is written with the same kanji as Higanbana (彼岸花) it’s believed that the two worlds become more united on specific dates in spring and autumn (coinciding with the summer and autumn equinoxes) It is also said that red spider lily flowers bloom on the banks of the Sanzu River But there may be a more practical explanation as to why these flowers are associated with death It is true that they are often found on graves but also on the banks of rivers or in fields where they are used to protect the crop from small animals such as rodents And the fact is that the bulbs of the red spider lilies contain poison the bodies of the deceased were often buried in the ground So there is also a theory that these flowers were planted for the same reason as for crops The number one in the list and the most popular spot for Red Spider Lilies is the Kinchakuda Manjushage Park (巾着田曼珠沙華公園) with over 500 millions of beautiful Higanbana flowers in the peak season The Kinchakuda Manjushage Festival (巾着田曼珠沙華まつり) is held from mid to late September annually For more info: Kinchakuda Higanbana Fields: Enjoy Fiery Red Flowers near Tokyo! the Fuchu City Folk Forest Museum (府中市郷土の森博物館) have 350,000 red spider lilies that visitors can enjoy during September The Fuchu City Folk Forest is an indoor and outdoor museum that represents the nature of Fuchu and many red spider lilies bloomed along the banks and irrigation ditches The museum staff started planting them more than 10 years ago we have the Nogawa Park (野川公園) On the north side of the park there’s the Nature Observation Garden where visitors can enjoy red and white spider lilies so in one morning you can go to both places if one spot is not enough for you and you want more flowers pictures When it comes to enjoying flowers in Tokyo one of the best places to go is always without a doubt is the Showa Memorial Park (昭和記念公園) The park was opened in 1983 to commemorate the emperor’s Golden Jubilee and there is a small museum dedicated to the Showa emperor Showa Memorial Park is famous at all times of the year in spring for the cherry blossoms and tulips the park turns red with 20,000 red spider lilies More info: Showa Memorial Park : Best Flower Park in Tokyo Another popular park in Tokyo for flower viewing is Mizumoto Park (水元公園) There’s a place inside the park called Higanbana Hill where visitors can enjoy beautiful Spider Lilies Mizumoto Park it’s the biggest park within the 23 special wards of Tokyo and unlike the Showa Memorial Park Sokoin Temple (祖光院) in Matsudo City The temple have about 300,000 red spider lilies in a wooded area behind the main hall You can enjoy the view of the beautiful flowers as well as an ancient Japanese temple the Gongendo Park (権現堂公園) is another popular spot with approximately 3 million higanbana flowers The park is very large and is divided into different zones To go to see the red spider lilies you have to go to the area called Satte Gongendo Sakurazutsumi you can go by foot but takes around 30 minutes you can take the Asahi Bus bound for Goka Town Office and get off at Gongendo During Spring the Gongendo park is also a nice cherry blossom viewing spot we found another spot recommended in many Japanese websites Shinookahachimandai Shrine (篠岡八幡大神社) is known as a hidden gem for spider lilies higanbana flowers are closely linked to Buddhism in Shinookahachimandai Shrine it’s possible to see them in a Shinto shrine Selected as one of Kanagawa’s top 100 flower viewing spots Hinata Higanbana no Sato (日向 彼岸花の里) is one of the most famous Higanbana spots in Kanto Hinata Higanbana no Sato is a more natural since it’s not an indoor garden but the flowers are used to protect the crops as in the past From Isehara Station take a bus to Hinatayakushi If you prefer something more distant and less known Gugyoji Temple is a buddhist temple with about 50,000 red spider lilies planted in its grounds You can enjoy a wide variety of flowers in Japan throughout the year Check out our ultimate guide to flowers in Japan and find the best seasonal blooms ▶ Flowers in Japan I started to like Japan because of the anime but after my first trip to the country I found what I love the most: traveling around but I still have many places to discover that I want to share with you as a foreigner living in Japan for over 6 years I understand what kind of things are difficult when you move here and I want to help other people in the same situation that I have in the past