Chow Chow? Chau Chau! Unique Osaka-ben (Part 3)
Have you ever heard someone from Osaka say “chau chau”? “Chau chau”??? It’s not a word you’ll find in Japanese textbooks. Translated into standard Japanese, “chau” corresponds to “chigau,” meaning …
Karaage: Japan’s Obsession with Perfect Fried Chicken
Well, most Japanese love 唐揚 (karaage) so much, I’d say. Nowadays, you can get them everywhere, like restaurants, bento shops, izakaya, Convini (i.e., convenience stores), and grocery stores. At the …
What Messaging App Do You Use?
TALK Talk is a main feature of LINE. You can send text messages to someone, like Messenger.There are two types of talk. One is a one on one chat, and …
Hatsumode: Japan’s Magical New Year Shrine Visit Tradition
Every New Year comes, and when you ring in the New Year in Japan, hatsumode (初詣) is a must-do. It might be a good idea to wait in a long …
The Art of Japanese Knives
What kind of kitchen knife do you usually use? Lately, I often see the knife shops in the tool district crowded with foreign tourists. Why have Japanese knives recently begun …
Kimono in Modern Japan
Occasions How do you feel when you see people wearing kimonos? As a kimono wearer, I always pay attention to the people who are wearing them. When I help someone …
Nengajo: Japan’s Beautiful New Year’s Card Tradition
Do you know about “Nengajo (年賀状)”? It’s New Year’s greeting cards in Japan. It is safe to say that it’s one of the biggest headaches at the end of the …
Roadside Station (Michi-no Eki ) Hota Elementary School and Hota Kindergarten
Have you ever heard of “Roadside Station (Michi-no Eki)?”It was first established in 1990 in Un-nan City, Shimane Prefecture, as a rest area for drivers. The site was originally used …
Beyond the Surface: Honne and Tatemae in Japanese Communication
It is said that there is honne(本音) and tatemae(建前) in Japan, and it can confuse foreigners in conversation. One day, I was wondering if it was only in Japanese culture? …
Japanese Proverbs and Expressions
Imagine attending a class reunion and spotting someone you recognize, but you just can’t recall his name. Who is he? It’s on the tip of my tongue! This expression is …