Insights from a Kagurazaka Store Owner

January is often overlooked as a time to visit Tokyo.“It must be too cold,” or “Many places are probably closed for the New Year”—these assumptions cause many travelers to rule it out. Yet when we examine climate data, accommodation statistics, and Japan’s seasonal calendar carefully, a different picture emerges. With the right expectations, January is one of the most rational—and culturally revealing—times to experience Tokyo. It is also the month when Japanese people incorp

December in Japan is a season of clear winter skies, crisp air, cultural depth, and a quiet elegance that cannot be found at any other time of year. For travelers seeking authenticity, refined cultural immersion, and a deeper sense of place, December offers some of the most memorable things to do in Tokyo in December—especially when explored through the warm glow of tradition in Kagurazaka. This guide introduces the winter climate, seasonal customs, festive atmosphere, and th

Where Tradition Dances Through Time in Tokyo’s Hidden Geisha District In the heart of Tokyo lies Kagurazaka , a neighborhood where...

What Is the Japan Seasons Calendar? The Japan Seasons Calendar is not just a way of marking time—it is a poetic encyclopedia of nature...

Why Revisit Japan’s Ancient Seasonal Calendar? Everyone knows that Japan has four seasons , but what if we told you the year is actually divided into 72 subtle shifts of nature? Imagine the world changing every five days—that’s the essence of the Japanese seasonal calendar. This system is called Nijūshi Sekki Shichijūni Kō (24 sekki and 72 kō) . The 24 sekki  divide the year into 24 solar terms of about 15 days each, while the 72 kō  refine these further into micro-seasons of

Imagine two very different evenings. In one, your curiosity about the dishes and the geisha’s attire remains unanswered. In the other,...

Why Do Geisha Wear White Makeup? More Than Just Shadows of the Past For foreigners and Japanese people alike, the white makeup of the...

Imagine the scene: in an intimate banquet room, a geisha rises to perform. With the elegant arc of a fan and rhythmic steps in tabi...

A Parable That Reflects Our Work In Japan, there’s an old story about a stonecutter who strikes a rock day after day—hundreds of...

Kagurazaka in Summer: A Guide to Geisha, Artisans, and "Iki" Culture When you picture Tokyo in August, you might imagine the scramble of Shibuya Crossing or the towering skyscrapers of Shinjuku. But tucked away in the heart of the city lies another world: Kagurazaka . Here, the summer heat seems to soften along stone-paved alleys, and the city's chaotic energy is replaced by a sophisticated calm. Kagurazaka is the perfect summer antidote—a place to escape the crowds and disco

Is August a Good Time to Visit Tokyo? An Expert's Guide to Thriving in Tokyo's August Heat Every August, I see it: foreign visitors, flushed and exhausted, sitting on the roadside, completely overwhelmed by Tokyo's intense summer heat. As a professional tour planner specializing in cultural experiences here in Tokyo, it's a sight I've always wanted to change. I truly believe that with the right advice from the start, a trip to Japan in August can be safe, healthy, and incred

Why the Yukata-kai Is a Must-See Geisha Experience in Tokyo for Cultural Lovers When most people think of a geisha experience in Tokyo ,...

The countdown is on! In just 3 months, on Sunday, October 12, 2025 , the annual Bakeneko Festival will be held in Kagurazaka, Tokyo !...

Discover Where Japan's Geisha Culture Thrives Today White makeup , exquisite kimono , elegant dance ... The geisha is an iconic symbol of...

Japan’s July is no joke when it comes to heat.  As mentioned in Part 1 of this series, Japan and Tokyo Travel in July , it is the second hottest and most humid month of the year . If you're planning a trip to Tokyo in July, we strongly recommend limiting outdoor activities . This is especially important when attending outdoor summer matsuri festivals , which require extra caution due to the extreme heat and humidity. Instead, we highly recommend spending your time enjoying tr

The Meaning Behind Matsuri in Japan: Why Summer Festivals Are More Than Just Fun When you think of July in Japan, one word comes to mind: matsuri , or summer festival. Did you know that many of Japan’s most iconic and energetic festivals take place in the peak of the summer heat—and that most of them are completely free to attend? But why are these festivals held in the first place? In this third installment of our " Japan and Tokyo Travel in July " series, we explore the cul

“My usual matcha is now twice the price...” — Growing Concern Among Tea Ceremony Practitioners Matcha that once seemed readily available...

Best Experienced in a Stage Show or at a Traditional Restaurant "Ryotei"? “The first time I saw a geisha enter a traditional ryotei, I...

On Saturday, June 7, 2025, the annual summer event “ Kagurazaka Premium Beer Hall ,” hosted by the geisha of Kagurazaka, was held at the...

There’s just one week left until the much-anticipated second “ Kagurazaka Premium Beer Hall 2025 ” event on Saturday, June 7th. This...