How to use restrooms
Look for these pictograms when you go out in Japan. Almost 100% of the time, these signs will lead you to restrooms. I took these pics in Koenji (located near …
Let’s look into the inside stories of national holidays observed in Japan: Part 3
I feel like some of the readers here aren’t particularly excited to see this series of the holidays observed in Japan every single month, but it is my responsibility to …
Let’s Enjoy the Cool Air ~Stay Cool in Japan’s Humid Summer~
Japanese people have lived with the heat in summer since the old days. Our ancestors have always thought about how to live close to nature, and in the summer, that …
How To Call Japanese Rain
How many rain expressions do you imagine in Japanese? It is said that there are more than 100 words related to rain in Japanese. Those expressions can be seen not …
Soba: the lesser-known member of the noodle family -Part 1: Delicacy of Soba
Soba is one of the traditional noodles in Japan made from buckwheat flour. You can enjoy hot soba with Dashi-soup and cold soba with dipping soup. However, we have a …
Ekiben 〜Amazing boxed lunches〜
I’m big on ekiben. It’s not just because they taste good, but because they are associated with my memories of fun trips with my family, and make me feel nostalgic …
Do you know Japanese wine tastes very good?
Bordeaux, Bourgogne, Napa Valley and more are well known for their production of fine wine. Japan is not a big player yet, but there are good Japanese wineries that wine …
How to understand hannarism in Kyoto
What is “hannari”? Have you heard the word, hannari (はんなり)? Hannari describes people’s impression of the Kyoto dialect. It is used to describe a person who is graceful, natural, and …
The Japanese Guide to Gift-Giving
Just like in western countries, Japan also has a gift-giving culture. However, there are some complex customs and points of caution which I would like to introduce to you. Other …
Let’s take a road trip: Camper version
When you hear the word “camper,” what’s the first thing that comes to mind? You might think of a big camper, like a house on wheels with a bedroom, kitchen, …