[Beauty of Japan Season 2] San’in, considered to be a mythical home of Gods, is a sacred place where the natural landscapes of Japan prevail. Richard Pierce was enthralled by its charms and has been organizing tours and acting as a guide. In 2017, he even cooperated with the locals...

This is the second season of the Festivals of Japan Series, which introduces various festivals around Japan. In this season, we will explore the festivals themselves, their histories, and the people responsible for preserving, cherishing, and passing on their traditions. From ancient processions, giant paper floats, fire festivals, and even...

[Festivals of Japan Season 1] The Ofune Festival is held at the Suwa Taisha (Suwa Grand Shrine) in Nagano Prefecture every fall. During the Senzasai in spring, the sacred dolls of the old man and woman are carried from the Fall Shrine to the Spring Shrine. However, in the Ofune...

[Festivals of Japan Season 2] Half-naked men pull on a giant white rope. Eighty meters long and about a ton in weight, the rope is the central focus of the Tosa City Otsuna Festival. Originally an Edo Period tradition, the festival was brought back by people hoping to energize a community...