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Oshogatsu, the Japanese New Year

The New Year, or O-Shogatsu in Japanese is Japan's most important holiday that comes with its own customs and traditions. Many of these customs have Shinto, Buddhist, or even Feng Shui roots. They are all meant to ensure an auspicious start of the new year and usher health, success, and prosperity into your household.

The Spirit of Japan Tours

Stories From The Shinshoji Temple

In the following couple of months, almost daily I would get on my bicycle and head to a temple on my list. These little adventures gave me a great sense of freedom and enjoyment that turned what could have been one of the worst times of my life into one of the best and richest.

The Spirit of Japan Tours

Nihonji Temple: where history, magic and beauty meet

I loved seeing the arhat statues because of their expressive faces – each of had its own character. Some looked lost in meditation, some were serious and others had a dream-like expression. And then there were those who seemed engaged in a lively conversation with their neighbors. The statues felt alive and as if each one had a story to tell I could spend the day listening to.

The Spirit of Japan Tours

The Rabbit In The Moon

I found the Moon window mesmerizing. It was like an opening into another world and its scenery, ever changing with the seasons to be like a magical kaleidoscope offering a different view every time we look at it. You almost expect a magical creature to suddenly jump through it and surprise you. And I hear it sometimes does - a bunny! But why a bunny you may say?

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O-Bon, The Spirits Festival

Today, August 13th marks the beginning of O-bon, one of the most important spiritual and secular events in Japan. The festival traces its origin in ancient Buddhist and Confucian beliefs according to which the spirits of the dead return to their earthly homes on August 13, stay for three days and then depart for heaven again on the night of August 15th.

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The Sacred Lotus

"Of all the plants in the world, the lotus flower is the most unique.” - Cao Zhi (192-232). In Japan the beginning of July falls in the middle of the rainy season and rivers, lakes and ponds all swell from the abundant rains. It is the time of the year when I like to visit a nearby park to see the lotus flowers blooming in its lake...

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Tanabata Festival

One of my favorite festivals is Tanabata, also known as the star festival that is celebrated on the seventh day of the seventh month, just a couple of days from today. According to a Chinese legend, this is the only day that the two stars Altair and Vega, which are usually separated from each other by the milky way, are able to meet...

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The Power Of Zen

Many years ago, when I first started on my spiritual path, a friend suggested that since I lived in Japan I should go to a temple and try Zazen meditation. He said it would help me quiet my mind and also help me to center. After a brief search I was fortunate to find a temple in the shita-machi (the old town) in Tokyo...

Our Blog

Oshogatsu, the Japanese New Year

Stories From The Shinshoji Temple

Nihonji Temple: where history, magic and beauty meet

The Rabbit In The Moon

O-Bon, The Spirits Festival

The Sacred Lotus

Tanabata Festival

The Power Of Zen

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