道 – The Japanese spirit of “Dō”
Do you like karate (空手、空手道) or judō (柔道)? Are you familiar with sadō (茶道), the tea ceremony, or kadō (華道), the art of flower arrangement? Many people have seen matches …
Author: Chisato.A
Waribashi～Disposable chopsticks~
If you have visited Japan, you have probably used waribashi: disposable chopsticks at places like restaurants, cafes and convenience stores. The culture of using chopsticks exists in many parts of …
How to Cook Delicious Japanese Rice
Hot summer is gone. The sky color has changed, the clouds have changed, and the wind has changed.Yes! The beautiful autumn is here!I was born and raised in Ikaruga in …
Somen Delight: How to Enjoy Japan’s Delicious Summer Noodles
What kind of noodles would you like to try when you come to Japan? Ramen, udon, or perhaps soba? When asked about summer, many Japanese people would mention a food …
When it comes to June…
When it comes to June, many people probably think of Japan as being hot and humid, which can be quite unpleasant. Yes, that’s correct. Since ancient times, the Japanese have …
Wafugetsumei 和風月名 ～Japanese names of months～
I’ve previously highlighted the beauty of the Japanese language in a few “How To Japan” articles. Yet, you can feel its richness everywhere in Japan. Though I hear less and …
Wonderful FudePen 筆ペン (Brush Pens)
When I was thinking about another cultural item to introduce to the world, one thing came to my mind! It is fudepen 筆ペン, a Japanese brush pen! Of course, Japanese …
Fermented enzyme lemon syrup
Fermented foods are deeply permeated into daily life in Japan. There are many kinds, such as miso, natto, and pickled vegetables. I make my homemade miso every year, and I’ve …
Why do Japanese people…?”Putting your palms together: 手を合わせる＝合掌”What does it mean in Japan?
In situations where we Japanese say “Itadakimasu: いただきます,” “arigatou: ありがとう,” and “gomennasai: ごめんなさい,” we put our hands together. That is a custom not only in Japan, but also over Asia. …
Ryu 龍 (Dragons)
Hello. Do you know what the zodiac animal will be in 2024? 2024 is the year of Ryu 龍 (dragons). In Japan, the twelve Chinese zodiac signs are called Junishi, …