Learn about Japan

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

Guide to Living in a Social Apartment in Tokyo By Jami Chen | November 24th, 2021  According to Netflix, the reality show Terrace House was ranked in the top 5 most viewed reality shows in Japan. Don’t we all enjoy being hooked on the dramatic love triangles and the cliché little fights?  BUT, in reality,

Guide to the Traditional Japanese House By Norie Matsumoto | November 24, 2021 If you’re interested in Japanese culture, you probably want to know about traditional Japanese homes. Historically, architecture in Japan was influenced by Chinese architecture. Traditional Japanese homes are called Minka 民家, “house of the people”. You may have seen them in anime or

Ultimate Guide to Sake Brewery By The Japan Switch Team Besides premium ingredients and the right climate, you need toji (sake maker) at a sake brewery to create high-quality Japanese sake. In Japan, there’s a distinction between ‘sake’, which means alcoholic beverage, and ‘nihonshu’ that translates to ‘the drink of Japan’. In many ways, the