Japan Restaurant Week 2012!
Jan. 27th- Feb. 19th
A bi-annual highlight on any foodie's calendar, Japan Restaurant Week is back for with its Winter Edition!
With approximately 150 participating restaurants encompassing most of the world's great culinary traditions, Japan Restaurant Week presents diners with a unique opportunity to try specially selected, reasonably priced course menus from some of the most renowned restaurants in the country.
While the list of restaurants is rightly given prominence as the main draw for this event, one the most appealing aspects of Japan Restaurant Week is the courses on offer are priced to fit most any lunch or dinner budget. (see general details below)
The participating restaurants themselves, while including famed venues in Central Tokyo, Osaka and Kobe, also showcase slightly off-the-beaten-path areas such as Saitama, Western Tokyo and Kanagawa giving customers a chance to explore not only new dining experiences but, hopefully, intriguing new neighbourhoods in the Kanto and Kansai regions.
Enjoy your culinary explorations!
Important Notes:
*Reservations are required at all participating restaurants
*all prices include tax but not service charges
*please see the Japan Restaurant Week website for full details
Ume Plum Blossom Viewing
Mid February- Early March
Starting in February, ume plum trees flower all over the country creating spectacular natural vistas that some argue are rivaled only by the annual blossoming of the sakura later in the Spring. Arriving in Japan via China and Korea over a 1,000 years ago, ume begin blooming in early February and are celebrated with festivals and blossom-viewing parties across the country. Festivals and events often take place at some of Japan's most historic or scenic locations. Ume Plum Blossom season is a unique time of year where visitors and locals alike enjoy the sights, aromas and seasonal cuisines while celebrating the arrival of Spring.
Some of the many famous ume blossom viewing spots include:
Kairakuen Garden, Mito, Ibaraki
Yoshino Baigo, Ome
Kitano-Tenmangu Shrine, Kyoto
Kamakura: UNESCO Recognition soon?
With the Japanese government soon to put forward Kamakura for long overdue UNESCO World Heritage recognition, now is a great time to enjoy a day or even an overnight trip to an area famous not only for it's multitude of important historical sites, temples, shrines and museums but also the fantastic natural beauty of the Kamakura/Enoshima region. Kamakura is an historic seaside city...continue reading >
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