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 …
Sekigahara（関ケ原）
Do you know Sekigahara (関ケ原)? If you are Japanese, I think the answer would be “Yes” because the biggest battle in Japanese history took place here, and we learn about …
How to Slurp Food in Japan!
When you hear a slurping sound, how do you feel? Is it rude or uneducated? Or do you feel uncomfortable? When you visit ramen or soba restaurants in Japan for …
What messages will the EXPO 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan leave us with? Part 2
The EXPO 2025 in Osaka, Kansai, Japan, has concluded with great success.This is a continuation of Part 1. I wrote about the highlights of the EXPO 2025 in my previous …