The Yodo River
The Yodo River (淀川) originates in Lake Biwa (琵琶湖), the largest lake in Japan, and is called the Seta River (瀬田川) in its upper reaches and the Uji River (宇治川) …
Author: Mami Yamamoto
Japanese Lifestyle ― Sitting on the Floor
The Japanese lifestyle of taking off one’s shoes and sitting on the floor cannot be described without mentioning tatami. The widespread use of tatami plays an important role in the …
Exploring Hirakata City Station
Hirakata City is located in the northeastern part of Osaka Prefecture, about halfway between Osaka City and Kyoto City on the Keihan Railway. Hirakata is famous for its amusement park, …
Kyushoku ー School Lunch in Japan
School lunches are common around the world, but Japan’s school lunches are without question one-of-a-kind. Not only is the food tasty, but all the systems involved are incredibly well-organized. Let’s …
Masking up in Japan
The outbreak of COVID-19 in 2020 has had a significant impact on our daily lives. Some of the most notable changes include social distancing, remote work, mask-wearing, travel restrictions, and …
The difference in perception as expressed in Japanese
When you ask Japanese people, “How many fingers do you have?” most people will answer 10 or, after some thought, proudly 20. This is surprising for English-speaking people, isn’t it? …
Nengajo – New Year’s postcards in Japan
One of the traditional Japanese New Year’s customs is sending New Year’s greeting postcards called nengajo (年賀状). Many people write and send nengajo to their friends, relatives, and coworkers in …
Hidden Kyoto, Yawata City
In the Kansai region, Osaka and Kyoto are well known cities that many tourists visit. However, have you ever heard of Yawata City? It is located in the middle of …
“Hirakata Park” – Amusement Park in Osaka
Many people have fond memories of amusement parks from their childhood. When it comes to amusement parks in the Kansai region, Universal Studios Japan (USJ) is undoubtedly the most popular. …
Expo ’70 Commemorative Park
In 1970, the Japan World Exposition was held in Suita City, Osaka. It was the first Expo in Asia. This world fair lasted for 183 days and turned out to …