Learn about Japan

Ultimate Guide to Fashion in Japan By Lauren Woody & Hei Kin Wong | January 31st, 2022  Fashion in Japan has changed tremendously in the past several years, and continues to evolve. Whether you’ve been living in Japan for many years, or just a few years, it can be difficult to keep up with and […]

Ultimate Guide to Visiting Shrines in Tokyo By Thao | January, 2022  Are you looking for authentic, interesting, and unique shrines in Tokyo for your holiday? Are you worried about Are you looking forward to breath-taking photo spots at shrines in Tokyo? This Ultimate Guide to Visiting Shrines in Tokyo may be what you are

Ultimate Guide to Setsubun (AKA the Bean Throwing Festival) By Emily Talbot | January 14, 2022 Setsubun (節分), literally “seasonal division”, marks a special occasion in Japan’s old lunar calendar- winter’s end and the beginning of cherry-blossomed spring. Wherever you are and whoever you are with, Setsubun (aka the Bean Throwing Festival) is a time

Ultimate Guide to Visiting a Haunted House in Japan By Kristine | January 12, 2021 Haunted houses. Vengeful ghosts. Killer clowns. Murderous dolls. Not scared yet? You could be watching these kinds of movies and go all the way to the theatre on premiere night for that heart-racing experience in third-person point-of-view or you could

Ultimate Guide to the Japanese Stamp (Inkan/Hanko) By Norie Matsumoto | December 24, 2021  Do you know about the Japanese Stamp or 判子・hanko / 印鑑・Inkan? It’s not your typical stamp, you might think of something to mark a pattern on paper or something to add to the corner of a postcard. But it’s actually much

Ultimate Guide to Japanese Private Onsen By Emily Talbot, Joshua Matsuda | April 6, 2023 Want to unwind in some of Japan’s natural hot springs, but don’t feel comfortable bathing with others or worry your tattoo might prevent you from getting in? Perhaps you simply want some quality time to relax with your family, friends,

Guide to Japanese Archery By Norie Matsumoto | December 20, 2021  A special and unique form of Japanese martial arts that is not as well known as 空手・karate or 相撲・Sumo is Japanese archery, called 弓道・Kyūdō. This is different from what might come to mind when thinking of traditional archery. 弓道・Kyūdō is based on 弓術・kyūjutsu “art of

Ultimate Guide to Japanese Festivals By Emily Talbot | December 14, 2021 If you’ve recently moved to Japan or are considering doing so, you’re unlikely to miss a festival. While Covid-19 cancelled or postponed those scheduled for 2020 and 2021, many Japanese festivals are showing signs of resuming in smaller numbers as soon as it

Ultimate Guide to Japanese Sweets By Emily Talbot | November 30, 2021 Whether you’re a sugarholic in Japan needing your next fix, or a foodie seeking the occasional Japanese treat, read on! This article will explore Japan’s long-standing confectionery culture and the unique sweets it prides itself on, including traditional Japanese sweets (和菓子, wagashi) and

Ultimate Guide to Japanese Christmas By Norie Matsumoto | November 30, 2021 Christmas is celebrated in different ways in many countries, but Japanese Christmas might be a little different than what you are used to in your home country. In your mind, you may associate Christmas on the 25th of December but Japanese people actually