When you were young, did you daydream about visiting the bathhouse in Spirited Away, or wandering through the forest from Princess Mononoke? Studio Ghibli (スタジオジブリ) is a household name in Japan and has also gained recognition around the world. However, some international Studio Ghibli fans might be surprised to learn that several of the settings in their beloved childhood films are … Read More
Osorezan (恐山): Japan’s “Fear Mountain”
Japan’s Mount Osorezan (恐山) in Aomori Prefecture is ranked along with Koyasan and Hieizan as one of the three most sacred places in the entire country. Today, it known as the site of Bodai-ji Temple, where female mediums called itako are said to be able to communicate with the deceased. Read on to learn all about Japan’s fascinating “fear mountain”.
The Most Popular Japanese GESTURES!
Have you ever been to Japan? You may have noticed that several of the common gestures used by Japanese people are actually quite different from the ones used in your home country. Here is a picture guide of the most commonly used gestures in Japan, along with their meanings!
Why Fall in Japan is Better Than the Spring
Spring in Japan, famous for its breath-taking cherry blossoms, is by far the most popular time of the year for tourists. But, fall in Japan has incredible beauty, delicious foods, and pleasant weather that definitely rivals the spring! Here’s why you should visit Japan in autumn!
Cats and Japanese Love History
In Japan, there are many items with cat motifs, such as Hello Kitty and Maneki Neko. There are also many cat goods, and it seems that Japanese people are full of cat lovers. In this blog, I would like to introduce the history of cats and humans, cat cafes, cat temples, and a cat temple museum that I recently visited. … Read More
Ruriko-in ~The Most Instagrammable Temple in Kyoto【Travel Blog】
Have you been to Ruriko-in Temple, which has become a hot topic on social media in recent years? Jōdo Shinshu temple in Sakyō-ku, Kyoto, Ruriko-in is famous for the superb photo of the seasonal scenery seen from a room, reflected on a shiny table.
How to Keep Warm During Winter in JAPAN
Winter in Japan usually lasts from December until February, and can be pretty unforgiving if you’re not used to the cold. Temperatures average around 2ºC~10ºC (35°F~50°F) in city areas, and can get as low as -6°C (21°F) in country side and even colder in Hokkaido! If you’re visiting Japan during the winter months, you’ll definitely want to take care to … Read More
Everything You Can Do at a Japanese Konbini!【2022 edition】
In Japan, you can’t walk a single block without passing at least one convenience store, or “konbini” (コンビニ) in Japanese. As of March 2022, there are 58,133 convenience stores in Japan, and the major ones are 7-Eleven, Family Mart, and Lawson. Chances are you’ve already heard about convenient Japan’s konbini are, but there are lots of other things that you … Read More
The Secret World of the Maiko
Most people do not really know Geisha beyond their elaborate kimonos. Many can recognize one from a mile away, but apart from the white makeup and the intricate hairstyle, there is very little that is known about them. We take a closer look at the intriguing world of the Geisha and the Geisha-in-Training, the Maiko.
From Tradition to Today: Japanese School Uniforms
When you were a student growing up, did your school have uniforms? Most schools in Japan do! Japanese school uniforms, called seifuku (制服), were introduced to Japanese private and public schools in the late 19th century. The uniform traditionally consists of a military-styled uniform for boys and a sailor outfit for girls, but Western-styled Catholic-school uniforms are also very common. In … Read More