For 2017’s hatsumode (the first shrine visit of the new year), I visited Kawasaki Daishi, another name for the temple Heiken-ji. Kawasaki Daishi is the most popular place for hatsumode visits in Kanagawa Prefecture, an area near Tokyo.

I highly recommend this facility to those interested in traditional Japanese houses! Here I will be introducing Kanagawa Prefecture’s Kamakura Guesthouse, “a small inn with a sunken hearth.”

Yokohama’s famous tourist spot, the “Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse,” is hosting open-air ice skating!
Each year different artists use the entirety of the skating rink as a blank canvas to use as they see fit.

“Kawasaki Halloween” is Japan’s largest Halloween event! Over 100,000 people from across the country join in the celebrations. The large-scale costume parade around Kawasaki Station is packed with amazing costumes, so be sure to check it out! The winner of the after-parade costume contest receives amazing travel tickets and a monetary award.
※A participation fee must be paid after applying if you wish to join the parade.

Yabusame is a type of traditional Japanese archery in which a rider on a running horse shoots arrows at a target.
At Kamakura's Tsurugaoka Hachimangu shrine, Yabusame events are held in the spring during the Kamakura Matsuri and in the autumn at the Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Reitaisai festivals.
As an event where the 800-year-history of samurai can be felt, it attracts a lot of people.

Ecbo Cloak is a service connecting people who want to store their luggage with shops that have space to hold it.
Luggage may be stored in multipurpose spaces inside train stations, such as cafes, hair salons and post offices. By making reservations ahead of time, you can be sure to store items that won't fit into the coin-operated lockers, such a large suitcases, baby strollers and sports equipment.

Owakudani is a valley located in Hakone, Kanagawa Prefecture. It was formed by the remains of a volcanic eruption of Mount Hakone about 3000 years ago. Thanks to its rugged rocks, white steam and sulphuric smell, it used to be called "The Valley of Hell".

Hakone is a hot spring town in southwestern Kanagawa Prefecture with easy access to the city.
It is home to many ryokan (Japanese inns), and it is a popular location thanks to the wealth of sightseeing spots around as well.
I picked up some Gora Manju from souvenir shop “Nakamuraya” in front of Gora Station, so that’s what I’ll be introducing this time.