Winter in Takayama

Takayama (高山市) located in the mountainous Hida region of Gifu Prefecture in Japan is famous for its beautifully preserved old town. Takayama has managed to retain its traditional charm with its traditional inns, shops and sake breweries.

Takayama in Winter is a white wonderland with snow and ice dominating its landscape. It is my favourite time of year to visit the city. I love staying at a traditional Japanese ryokan (traditional Japanese inn) soaking in one of the many onsens (hot springs) in the mountains above Takayama and feasting on the world famous Hida beef from the region.

Koala’s March Strawberry Milk

Koala’s March Strawberry Milk is the second in the series of special edition Koala’s March Halloween. You can read about the Koala’s March Chocolate edition here

The Strawberry Milk edition also includes cute koalas in Halloween costumes. The Strawberry Milk Koala’s March is very good and inside the cookie is a sweet Strawberry Milk filling.

Japanese Song of the Week Oh My God! by NMB48

This week’s number one single on the Japanese Jpop Oricon charts is Oh My God! by NMB48.

NMB48 is an all-girl Japanese idol group produced by Yasushi Akimoto. They were formed as a sister group of AKB48 based in Namba, Osaka. The group performs at NMB48 Theatre in Namba, Osaka with the name of the group “NMB” coming from “Namba” in the Minami district in Osaka.

NMB48 debuted on October 9, 2010 and originally consisted of 26 members.

Japan Picture of the Week Kurashiki Ivy Square

Kurashiki in Okayama Prefecture, Japan is one of the best places to take a stroll in all of Japan. It has the famous Bikan Historical area, which you can read about here with its canal framed with weeping willows and filled with koi.

Koala’s March Chocolate

Koala’s March Chocolate is a bite size Japanese cookie snack with a sweet chocolate filling inside. Koala’s March (コアラのマーチKoara no Machi) is made by Lotte. These cookies are so cute and each one is in the shape of a koala with a picture of a koala on the outside of the cookie. This edition is the special Halloween version of the cookie so it contains some koalas in Halloween costumes. This includes classic Halloween costumes such as witches, wizards, vampires, fairies, and jack-o-lanterns.

Japanese Song of the Week Ropponpon Fantasy by Ebisu Muscut

This week’s Song of the Week is Ropponpon Fantasy by Ebisu Muscut which has debuted at number 8 on the Japanese Jpop Oricon chart. This is a very cute and upbeat song and is typical Jpop.

Ebisu Muscats (恵比寿マスカッツ) is a Japanese idol group comprised of both gravure idols and AV stars. They have a rotating line-up which continues to change. The group formed and debuted in 2010 with their first single “Banana Mango High School / 12 no 34 de Naite with Namida 4 Shimai” which also reached number 8 on the Japanese Jpop Oricon charts.

Picture of the Week Halloween in Japan 2011

Halloween begins at the beginning of September in Japan with places putting up Halloween decorations in September through to October. The big theme parks go full out and offer fantastic Halloween events during this time.

Tokyo Disneyland has Disney’s Halloween from September 4th to October 31st featuring parades, Halloween decorations and during Halloween, you can visit Tokyo Disneyland dressed in Disney character costumes!