Upcoming: Connichi 2018

Upcoming: Connichi 2018

Connichi, one of the biggest conventions in the German speaking area is about to take place next weekend from Friday 7th to Sunday the 9th of September. The event drew in over 26’000 fans last year and will take place in the Kongress Palais in Kassel as usual. I attended Connichi for the first time in 2009 and this year will be the fifth time visit the event.

AnimagiC 2018

AnimagiC 2018

For the second time the Japan and Anime convention AnimagiC took place in the Rosengarten congress center in Mannheim in early August. The organizers celebrated the 20 year anniversary of the event with a great line-up of guests from Japan over three days.

Dokomi 2018

Dokomi 2018

Dokomi, one amongst, if not the biggest Japan and anime convention in Germany opened its doors for over 45000 attendants from May 18 to May 20 at the fairground of Düsseldorf.

Upcoming: Dokomi 2018

Upcoming: Dokomi 2018

Spring is around the corner, meaning the Japanese convention season is about to begin. This year I will visit three major conventions in Germany, one of them is the Dokomi in Düsseldorf. In this post I will introduce the event and this year’s program.

Some like it hot

Some like it hot

A few weeks ago I attended the Chienbäse parade in Liestal for the first time, and I wonder why I did not come earlier now. This fascinating tradition is carried out every year on the Sunday evening before Fasnacht in Basel.

Japan 2017/18 Summary

Japan 2017/18 Summary

Again, thank you for following my trip across the Chubu region, Hokkaido and Tokyo. In this post I compiled the whole travel log series and also list some additional resources.

Japan 2017/18 Days 16 & 17: Tokyo and Departure

Japan 2017/18 Days 16 & 17: Tokyo and Departure

The last day in Tokyo was as busy as always with a visit to a Michelin star restaurant and the return flight the next day. Also, I had the chance to meet two old friends I have not seen in years.

Japan 2017/18 Days 14 & 15: Hida, Takayama and back to Tokyo

Japan 2017/18 Days 14 & 15: Hida, Takayama and back to Tokyo

A day with so many things going on, I had to split the log into two. Continuing from the last article, I arrived in Takayama in the afternoon after the bus tour to Ainokura and Shirakawago ended.

Japan 2017/18 Day 14: Ainokura and Shirakawago

Japan 2017/18 Day 14: Ainokura and Shirakawago

In a day-trip from Takayama I visited the UNESCO world heritage sites of Ainokura and Shirakawago, remote villages with a special housing style in the mountains.

Japan 2017/18 Day 13: Toyama and Takayama

Japan 2017/18 Day 13: Toyama and Takayama

From the coast into the mountains — from Kanazawa the journey went on to Toyama and Takayama. The town is well worth a visit, even in winter. And did you know that the beef of the local cattle tastes as good as the one from Hyogo?

Japan 2017/18 Day 12: Kaga Onsen

Japan 2017/18 Day 12: Kaga Onsen

The best thing to pass bad weather is taking a hot bath. Following this mentality, I visited Yamanaka Onsen today, a secluded Onsen town in a gorge south of Kanazawa. Also I enjoyed more fresh sea food in Kanazawa.

Japan 2017/18 Day 11: Kanazawa

Japan 2017/18 Day 11: Kanazawa

Located between the mountains and the coast, Kanazawa combines many opposites, which are reflected in its architecture, the cuisine and the culture. When I first visited the city in 2014, I liked it so much that I wanted to return on the next opportunity. While it was raining for during the whole day, I made the most out of it.

Japan 2017/18 Day 10: Snow Monkeys and Matsumoto

Japan 2017/18 Day 10: Snow Monkeys and Matsumoto

From Nagano I visited two well-known destinations in the prefecture. In the morning I went to see the adorable Snow Monkeys bath in a hot spring and in the afternoon I explored Matsumoto Castle, part of the World Heritage.

Japan 2017/18 Day 9: Kusatsu and Nagano

Japan 2017/18 Day 9: Kusatsu and Nagano

This Sunday we left Kusatsu and I followed the Hokuriku line to Nagano. The former Olympic town in the mountains is famous for its soba noodles and a historic temple.

Japan 2017/18 Day 8: Kusatsu Onsen

Japan 2017/18 Day 8: Kusatsu Onsen

It’s half time of my trip. Spending a night in the Onsen town Kusatsu in Gunma prefecture I had a relaxing stay with friends from Tokyo. The water from the natural hot spring is used in many ways here besides for bathing.