Maneki Neko, the Beckoning Cat
Manekineko, a beckoning cat, is well known as a figure which you can find at the entrance of the shops or restaurants in Japan. It can be found with either …
Knowledge
Understanding Road Signs in Japan
Let’s learn the road signs in Japan Do you want to drive around Japan? If so, I highly recommend investing some time into learning as many road signs as possible …
Taka-jizou(高地蔵）Story
Have you seen the cute-looking “Ojizo-san” statues before? They can be found in many places, for example, at Buddhist temples, graveyards, and on the side of the road in Japan. …
How to Use SUMIMASEN Practically
You definitely have heard that Japanese people often say “sumimasen.” Probably you know it means “sorry.” This is true, but actually, it also has another two definitions, like “excuse me“ …
♪Matcha, Matcha, Matcha♪ ～Tea Ceremony～
What are your favorite drinks? Coffee, tea, water, pop, beer, wine, milk, juice…there are many kinds of drinks here and there. Even though the variety of drinks might differ from …
Gokigen-you!~Useful Expressions That Make You Sound Sophisticated~
Do you have any plans to visit Japan? Are you interested in the Japanese language? If so, I’d like to introduce some expressions that make you sound elegant, polite, and …
Five-Storied Pagoda
There are many three- or five-storied pagodas in Japanese temples. This style was introduced to Japan (and South Korea) from India via China. The Indian original was made of stone. …
Cranes ー Wishing for Peace
The crane has long been a symbol of good fortune and is a bird well-known in Japanese culture. Although most cranes are known to be migratory birds, the “tancho,” a …
Wonderful Traditional Cloth “Furoshiki”(風呂敷)
Have you heard of Furoshiki(風呂敷)? Have you ever used one? Furoshiki is a thin cloth which is shaped close to a square for wrapping, carrying or decorating something. Furoshiki is …
Things commonly in Hawaii unexpectedly originally from Japan
As you may know, Japanese products have gained worldwide recognition. What comes to mind when you hear wonderful things from Japan? Maybe you would say TOYOTA, SONY, Nintendo and possibly …