Unveil the magic of Japan's Hatsumode (New Year's first shrine visit)! Discover top spots in Tokyo, Kyoto & Hokkaido to pray for luck, and...
Japanese Culture: What Should I Pay Attention to in Hatsumode?
Experience Japan’s New Year tradition with this easy guide to Hatsumode—when to visit, what to wear, and how to follow shrine and temple etiquette....
[Traditional Japanese Costume]What’s the Difference between Japanese Kimono and Yukata?
Discover the key differences between kimono and yukata, their history, styles, and when each is traditionally worn in Japan....
Do you know the story of the origin of Showa Day?
April 29 is “Showa no Ni(Showa Day)”, a national holiday of Japan. If you know anything about the Japanese era name, you must know...
Japanese Summer Tradition: Cooling Off with Ghost Stories and Courage Test
As scorching summer engulfs Japan, how are you keeping cool? Are you comfortably lounging in an air-conditioned room or finding solace with just a...
Koinobori in Japan’s May : Children’s Day? Boys’ Day? Girl’s Day?
If you’ve been to Japan during Golden Week in late April/early May, you’ll have seen Koinobori(carp flags) hanging in the streets. Most of them...
A Shrine For Breakups? Cutting Ties at an Engiri Jinja in Japan
There are times in life when past relationships weigh us down. For whatever reason, we just can’t seem to move forward and grow away...
Veganism is a Japanese Tradition Too! Shoujin Ryouri
A promise to make no use of animal products as a rejection of causing harm to other living things. Well, that’s how many people...
The Secret Behind The Cherry Blossom: Blooms and Berries
In the fall every year, the sakura tree forms its little green buds, which recede into brown in the winter before emerging...
2019: The Year of the Pig in Japan
It’s 2019! Happy New Year! First, we’d like to say thank you to all our followers who have read our articles throughout 2018, and...