tradition– tag –

The Rich History of Fermented Foods in JapanJapan has a long tradition of incorporating fermented foods into its cuisine, dating back over a thousand years. The country’s humid climate and abundant natural resources provided the ideal co...

Fermented foods have been a staple in many cultures for centuries, offering unique flavors and numerous health benefits. Whether you're new to cooking with fermented ingredients or want to hone your skills, here are some tips to help you...

Tea holds a significant place in Japanese culture, deeply embedded in its traditions and daily life. The practice of making and consuming tea has evolved over the centuries, yet it remains a vital part of Japanese society. Japanese tea c...

In 2024, Doyo Ushi no Hi, also known as the Day of the Ox, will fall on July 23. This traditional Japanese event is celebrated by eating unagi (eel), a practice believed to invigorate the body and provide stamina during the hottest days ...

American Airlines has announced the launch of a new direct route between New York (JFK) and Haneda (HND), starting June 28. This exciting new route, approved by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), makes American Airlines the onl...

This week, I've featured three places: Nagasaki, Hokkaido, and Yokohama. Enjoy a journey that feels like a time slip back to the Meiji era. 　During the Meiji era in Japan, which lasted from 1868 to 1912, the country underwent significan...

Theater is a great form of storytelling where people can express their creativity and talent on stage. In Japan, theater is a great tradition of cultural arts. The costumes, music, and expression all require time, dedication, and talent....

The beginning of Spring is for the girls! Hinamatsuri, or Girl's Day, is celebrated every year on March 3rd, which is considered a lucky day, a part of the five season festivals, on the Chinese calendar. 　On this religious holiday, pare...

Are you a lucky person? Omamoris might bring you some of the luck that you're missing if not! Omamori are Japanese amulets that are sold in Shinto Shrines that are said to bring you luck and protection. Omamori are dedicated to specific ...

Hina-matsuri is a Japanese event held on March 3rd to pray for the healthy growth of girls. Hina dolls are displayed, Hina-arare and rice cakes are served, and a party is held to enjoy food and drink such as sake and chirashi-sushi.

Even in the world, the meanings of numbers change from country to country, and the impressions of numbers in a country often are deeply influenced by the culture of that country. This is also true in Japan.

What would you do if bugs were in your house? To the Japanese, spiders are considered very good things and should never be killed. Here is why spiders should not be killed, and when they should not be killed.

Japan has traditional music that has been valued throughout generations of Japanese people. This comes with traditional instruments used in making this folk music of Japan. Here are six traditional Japanese instruments that have made an impact on music as a whole.

Pickles are an indispensable food in Kyoto. Since there is no sea in the vicinity of Kyoto, preservation techniques for food have been developed since ancient times. Here are the three major pickles in Kyoto!

Every New Year in Japan, thousands of people line up to buy "lucky bags" called "fukubukuro". A lucky bag is a bag filled with everything from clothing to food that the store sells, and the items are secret.

There tends to be some confusion between what martial arts are from Japan and which come from China. Yet, there is a fundamental difference between these styles of martial arts, influenced by their respective origin countries.

Every year in Japan, those who turn twenty get to experience a day decided by them! Seijin Shiki, sometimes called adult’s day, is a holiday in Japan where the coming of age into adulthood is celebrated.

There is an unlucky year called "yaku doshi" in Japan. Yaku doshi is a year to be more modest than usual. The word "yaku" has the meaning of misfortune or calamity, and the idea is to spend the year more carefully than usual in order to avoid it.

In the U.S., the U.K., and Europe, the most common way of heating is central heating. However, in Japan, there is basically no such central heating system, and people usually spend the winter by using heating appliances.

Different cultures and histories have their own unique laws, some of which you may wonder if they are true. When you live or travel abroad, you may inadvertently be in violation of the law. So here are some of the weird laws that are unique to Japan!