by josephbautista | Sunday, June 17, 2018 | Hachioji, Tokyo
Walking barefoot over coals. The main event of the “Walking over fire” festival. A simple premise, yet courageous event held every winter solstice in Takao, west of Tokyo. Endure hard trainings for meditation and purification purposes, like standing under a waterfall,...
by josephbautista | Sunday, January 15, 2017 | Chiyoda, Tokyo
Even being celebrated in around mid June every two years, is still one of the most famous festivals in Tokyo. Whilst Sanno Matsuri takes place in even years, the Kanda Matsuri is celebrated in odd numbered years. With parades scheduled and festivities for a week, we...
by josephbautista | Sunday, July 5, 2015 | Japan, Kyoto, Things to do
Many times I’ve been asked for things to do in Kyoto limited to one day visit. It’s difficult to narrow it all the amazing things you can visit or do in Kyoto. Usually my top recommendations are Kiyomizudera, Kinkakuji shrine and Gion district on a tight...
by josephbautista | Wednesday, June 10, 2015 | Barcelona, Catalunya
Japan, the country I fell in love with, and my hometown Barcelona, united in one event once a year, the Matsuri Japan. The Matsuri Japan took place on first weekend of June, and it’s the third consecutive year the event took place next to the beach in Barcelona....
by josephbautista | Thursday, June 26, 2014 | Taito, Tokyo
May and June are festival time in Japan, with lots of events going on every weekend, and unfortunately I don’t have the time or the ability to duplicate myself to go everywhere I want. Today, sanja matsuri, one of the biggest and oldest in Tokyo, in Senso-ji,...
Travel photographer and journalist. Degree in Tourism management and master's degree in Travel Journalism. Lived and studied in Tokyo for more than 2 years, where I started my blog Hype in Tokyo. I kept the name from that period in Tokyo for my travel projects as a memento of where it all started. 
