by josephbautista | Sunday, December 30, 2018 | Chiyoda, Tokyo
mitama matsuri at yasukuni shrine Yasukuni shrine In the district of Chiyoda-ku, in central Tokyo, the Yasukuni shrine was constructed in 1869 to enshrine the ones who fought for Japan during war times with other countries. The spirits of over 2 milion people died for...
by josephbautista | Sunday, June 17, 2018 | Hachioji, Hyped, 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...
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. 
