- Eating “Toshikoshi Soba Noodles” on December 31st will give you good fortune?
- New years Eve (Omisoka) has arrived! In Japan we call the last day of the year, December 31st, Omisoka. This day is to rid oneself of negativity
- The ‘Nengajo’ Postcard: How Japanese People Send their Best Wishes for New Year
- Japanese people exchange Nengajo postcards as New Year Greetings, much like Western people sending Christmas cards to each other.
- In Japan, there are gods everywhere... and even a “toilet god"!
- The "myriad gods," called such because there are too many to count. In Japan, since ancient times people have revered things of nature or natural
- Japanese “kusari doi” (rain chains) lure the water drops from your rooftop down to the ground in a beautiful way
- Give the rainwater which falls from your roof the chance to perform for you! Have you ever seen the chain-like ornaments which can often be found
- Tsukimi, the 'Moon-Viewing': How the Japanese Honor the Harvest Moon
- Learn the customs and symbols for the most typical Japanese autumn celebration.
- How to Use your Japanese Folding Fan the Right Way
- The different uses of the folding fan in Japanese culture Many people may think of the folding fan as something to put on the wall for decoration or
- “Shoji”, the Japanese paper doors
- Illuminated by the sun during the day and by lights during the night, Shoji will lighten a room up. Have you seen a traditional Japanese house in
- 3 Typical Souvenirs of the Japanese Summer
- Are you looking for a gift? Something not too heavy and reasonably priced? Here are three traditional objects to bring back home as souvenirs of the J
- Obon and the Japanese traditions of celebrating the dead
- Very much like the New Year, Obon is a very important familial event in Japan. Here are a few customs you may observe during this period.
- Sprinkling water to reduce the heat: the Japanese tradition of 'uchimizu'
- “Uchimizu,” an environmentally friendly method for spending the hot summer more comfortably. When you travel in Japan during the summer you'll pr
- “Sanja Matsuri”, a festival with over 1300 years of history celebrated in Tokyo’s famous Asakusa district.
- Asakusa’s 3 most popular days of the year when people get crazy! When asked, “What’s the most popular sightseeing area in Tokyo,” the common
- Ochugen, the Japanese Custom of Exchanging Gifts in Summer
- Japanese custom calls for the giving of gifts twice a year to someone who is taking care of you. This duty is performed once in the summertime, call
- Wagashi (Traditional Japanese confectionery often served with tea)
- Video You can experience making Wagashi! Wagashi is found all over Japan and is unique to each location. 400 years ago in Kyoto and Edo (now