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Located in the north-east of Nagano Prefecture and within the larger Joshinetsu Kogen National Park, Shiga Kogen Highlands covers approximately 30,000ha / 300km². A landscape formed by volc...

In a region not so far away is Hakui, the southern most part of the Noto peninsula. The city has a cornucopia of places and will surprise you with their diversity. The natural beauty of Chirihama Bea...

Meditation is one the primary Buddhist practices and one which brings great peace and joy to both practicing Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike. ‘Zazen’ or ‘Seated Meditation’ focuses practitioners on...

Buddhists believe that we must subjugate and ultimately rid ourselves of worldly desires in order to see the true nature of existence.  In order to guide and support us in that goal, qualified m...

Japanese calligraphy or ‘shodo’ is an ancient practice which retains its importance as one of the most popular fine arts in the country. Literally meaning ‘way of writing’, shodo embodies the virtues...

The teachings of the Buddha have been passed down to us in the form of written ‘sutras’ or religious scripture. By tracing the sutras in a form of calligraphy called ‘shakyo’, Japanese believe the wo...

Known throughout the world, the seemingly simple craft of ‘origami’ (paper-folding) is a great activity for visitors of all ages. From the first simple folds of paper, this ageless craft transcends t...

Gift-giving plays an essential role in Japanese culture as a sign of appreciation and respect. The presentation of gifts can be considered tantamount in importance to the gift itself, a cultural prop...

Tea ceremonies or ‘Sado’ in Japanese, offer a respite from the pace of modern life and provide time to relax and relish the sanctity of each moment and movement in life. Originally introduced from Ch...