“Demons out! Luck in!” That’s what people across Japan were chanting on February 3 as they hurled roasted soybeans all over the place to celebrate Setsubun (節分). Setsubun is the first day of spring according to the old lunar calendar in Japan and on it’s the day to make a fresh start and banish any […]
Tag Archives: Maiko
May
29
Not quite off and racing
posted by Claire Usmar
There’s not a spare inch of space left along the vast grassy straight as the moment of truth draws near. The enormous 80,000 strong crowd gazes expectantly as one at the gigantic 64m-wide screen. In unison, they raise their hands and begin rhythmically smacking their rolled up newspaper guides into their other hands. The mesmerising “twack… […]
May
14
Ready for that stage again
posted by Claire Usmar
The hectic flurry of blossoms that embodies April in Japan has given way to the glorious late spring that is May. Stay tuned for plenty of posts about my many travels during what is my favourite time of the year in Japan, including a day at the races in nearby Kyoto, spontaneous hiking and of […]
inaka biking 