Japanese Culture
Explore various aspects of Japanese culture, including traditional manners, customs, weddings, funerals, cross-cultural exchanges, history, recycling and reuse, sustainability, and cultural classes that shape life in Japan.
Business Card Etiquette in Japan – How to Exchange Business Cards
The ritual of exchanging meishi, which is Japanese for ‘business card,’ is a much higher valued practice in Japan than in the West. This guide will serve to help foreigners who are new to doing busine…
Seating Protocol in Japan - Seating Arrangements
In Japan there is an unspoken rule about where to sit when you are in the company of your elders, co-workers, and customers etc. There are seats known as “Kamiza” and a ranking of seats for “Shimoza”. This is a unique part of Japanese and its purpose is to show respect and hospitality to superiors and customers by being considerate about where you sit.
NINJA: How they collected useful information (Part 2/3)
This article is contributed by COMMU忍(NIN)CATION. In our previous column, we explained the image of ninja held by the public and what recent research has revealed about ninja. In this article, we will…
NINJA: Their True Mission & Ultimate Purpose (Part 1/3)
This article is contributed by COMMU忍(NIN)CATION. What do you imagine when you hear the word "ninja"? What comes to mind may differ from generation to generation. Perhaps you think of movies. Or anima…
Japanese Personalities & Culture: Getting Along in Japan
Living in Japan, or even visiting, can be a significant shift from living in one’s home country and culture. Understanding new cultural norms, practices, and traditions can be difficult, and understan…
The Enduring Allure of Rakugo: Japanese Storytelling Evolved
Japan boasts a rich variety of traditional performance arts, from the dramatic flair of Kabuki to the simplicity of Noh. Another form of storytelling, Rakugo, adds a comedic twist to this mix. Rakugo…
Japanese Wedding Etiquette: 7 Steps from RSVP to Afterparty
When you've been in Japan long enough and have a local circle of young working adult friends or others who are older with grown children, then the chances are that one fine day you may find yourself i…
The Japanese Zodiac: Unleash the Fun of This New Year Tradition
This page contains affiliate links. The Japanese zodiac has a rich history and unique features that include a fascinating blend of Chinese and Japanese influences. While some aspects are based on the…
The Japanese Lucky Cat: Unlocking the Secret to Good Fortune
This page contains affiliate links. The maneki neko statue, also known as the lucky cat, is a symbol that is instantly recognizable all around the world. You can find these lucky cats in businesses, h…
Japanese Sake - How to Brew and its History
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…
Funerals for the Expat Community in Japan
This article is contributed by Robert Hoey - Funeral Support Services Co. Ltd. My company specializes in embalming for local funeral homes and repatriations for foreigners who die in Japan; however, t…
Embalming and Repatriation During the Pandemic in Japan
This article is contributed by Robert Hoey - Funeral Support Services Co. Ltd. Embalming is the specialized procedure of disinfecting, preserving and restoring the dead human body to a more natural an…
Sustainable Lifestyles in Edo and Japanese History
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…
How to Sell Unwanted Luxury Brand Goods in English in Japan
HUGALL provides an English-speaking service for purchasing high-end brands, such as watches, clothes, bags, furniture...). Residents in and around Tokyo can request a pick-up service. If you would lik…
Dress Code in Japan: A Guide to Appropriate Japanese Attire
As a largely conservative society, Japan has different standards to Western countries in many aspects of life–including dress code. If you’re keen not to offend and want to be sartorially prepared, keep reading for some practical Japanese dress code tips for what to wear during life’s most important situations.
By PLAZA HOMES
What is White Day in Japan?
This page contains affiliate links. White Day is the day on March 14 when men who received chocolates on Valentine's Day return the favor to the woman. On White Day, the most common sweets are candies…
Japanese New Year Traditions
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…
Japanese Body Language and Gestures
The gestures and body language that Japanese people use may differ from the ones used in other countries. As an example, when a Japanese person says “I”, they will point to themselves with their index finger.The meaning of a person bowing can change depending on the angle at which they bow and so on. In this article we will introduce you to common gestures and body languages used in Japan.
Polite and Useful Japanese Business Phrases
Working in a Japanese company requires not only knowledge of Japanese business culture but also the use of a polite form of Japanese that is not commonly used in daily life. Here are some commonly used Japanese business phrases you are bound to encounter while working in Japan.
By PLAZA HOMES
Japanese Cooking Classes in Tokyo
No Japanese, no problem—there are a wide variety of English-friendly cooking classes available throughout Tokyo that can teach you how to make all your favorite Japanese foods, from sushi and ramen to traditional home-cooked meals.
By PLAZA HOMES
