Explore Japan’s rich history from ancient times to modern days, including traditions, festivals, and cultural experiences.
Tokyo is one of the largest cities in the world with a population of about 14 million people. Tokyo was once called Edo, and in the late 12th century, the Edo clan created the village of Edo (the Edo…
This page contains affiliate links. Famous for bean-throwing antics and parents dressed in ogre costumes to scare children, Setsubun is celebrated in Japan on February 2 or 3 (depending on the year) t…
This article is contributed by Tokyo Central Japanese Language School. This page contains affiliate links. Hello everyone! I'm Eri, a Japanese language teacher. January 1st is the beginning of the new…
The Japanese word "Mottainai" has been used in many countries around the world as a universal language. If you look up "mottainai" in a Japanese-English dictionary, you will find words like "waste" an…
The geisha is a world-famous Japanese symbol that is seldom understood outside of Japan. The geisha arts, a 250-year-old legacy, are fast fading, yet there are still sites in Japan where one may have…
In Japan, there has long been a 'mottainai spirit' of taking good care of things, and in the Edo era, people in various professions recycled things to reuse them. Sustainability, which has been attrac…
So, what is Kabuki theatre, really? To the first timer, it is oftentimes remembered as a jumble of color, fast action and archaic language few can understand. Plots are mysterious and centered largely…
Noh is to modern Japanese theatre what Shakespeare is to English theatre, and then some. It is the oldest form of masked theatre (like Kabuki, Noh opts for the “theatre” spelling of the word) in the w…
This page contains affiliate links. This article is contributed by 供TOMO. Since ancient times, some objects have been believed to bring luck to your family or prosperity to your business. If you are l…
There are many people in Japan who still get confused about what to do when visiting shrines and temples. While the prayers given at a shrine and temple may be similar, they each have their own proced…
This page contains affiliate links. This article is contributed by 供TOMO. Shinto is an important part of Japanese culture and one of the main religions. If you live in Japan or if you have ever had th…
Japan is well-known for its festivals, especially during the summertime. Fireworks, festivities, and food is the image that comes to mind for most people. However, Obon is a festival with a difference…
This page contains affiliate links. This article is contributed by 供TOMO. Japan is known for its deep attachment and respect for nature. Shinto, one of Japan’s main religions with Buddhism, is the pro…
This page contains affiliate links. As the New Year approaches, many shops, commercial buildings, and houses in Japan decorate for the occasion. It should come as no surprise that in Japan with its ri…
This article is contributed by Konishi Sake Brewery and covers the history of sake, brewing process, and the differences between various types of sake, such as ginjoshu, junmaishu, Honjozo, Genshu, Ko…
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