Japanese onsen (温泉: hot springs) or sentō (銭湯: public baths), are are enjoyed by anyone of all ages. Onsen use hot water taken from a natural hot spring, while sentō use tap water heated by boilers. Both onsen and sentō are very enjoyable to Japanese and foreigners alike, but there is a set of unspoken instructions you should know before you … Read More
Japan’s Golden Week Holiday: 2019
Golden Week (ゴールデンウィーク) is one of the busiest holiday seasons in Japan. This year, the timing of the holidays as well as the introduction of a new national holiday has created an unusually long Golden Week that lasts 10 whole days! Here’s everything you need to know about Golden Week 2019.
Gacha-Gacha: Japan’s Capsule Toys
Japan’s capsule toys are popular with people of all ages! If you take a walk down a city street in Japan, it’s very likely you’ll come across the famous Gacha-Gacha machines. Here’s everything you should know about these pocket-sized toys!
Japanese to Know: Common “Matsuri” Words
Matsuri, or festivals, are held all over Japan. They’re lively, fun, entertaining, and a great way to experience Japanese culture. Are you thinking of checking out a Japanese festival when you visit Japan? Here are the words to know before you go!
What Happens During a Japanese Wedding Ceremony
What Happens During a Japanese Wedding Ceremony Have you ever been to a wedding in Japan? Do you imagine a traditional Japanese wedding ceremony to date back thousands of years? You may be surprised to learn that Shinto weddings, known in Japanese as shinzen kekkon (神前結婚), “Marriage before the gods”, did not actually begin in Japan until the early 20th century. … Read More
10 Rules to Know Before Traveling to Japan
How much do you know about Japanese manners and customs? Read up on the most important etiquette tips before traveling to Japan.
Balloon Fashion Show in Kurashiki, Japan
When it comes to fashion, Japan is arguably one of the biggest risk-takers in the entire world. Although Tokyo is known as being one of the major international fashion hubs, several other cities in Japan are home to forthcoming designers with promising potential.
Tatami – Traditional Japanese Flooring
Tatami (畳) is one of the most common design elements in traditional Japanese homes along with sliding shoji doors and the tokonoma with hanging scrolls.
Bushido: The Way of The Samurai Warrior
The term Bushido has long represented a broad spectrum of Japanese samurai values which carried different implications during various eras. Regardless of its iterations, “the way of the warrior” was a critical philosophy and code of conduct to guide martial rulers who held military and political power during feudal Japan.
The Art of Ikebana: Origins and Styles
The Japanese are well known for their appreciation and reverence of the beauty of nature which is greatly influenced by