tradition– tag –

Ikebana is the Japanese way in which flowers are arranged and brought to life. Today, it is a form of art that is embraced by modern art and design. Ikebana is more than just a simple arrangement of flowers, as it takes on a more spiritual and artistic meaning to those who practice it.

When you think of traditional Japanese meals, you probably envision the use of chopsticks picking up noodles, sushi, and other Japanese dishes. Here are some essential facts about Japanese chopsticks you should know before trying them out!

Sometimes we all need to unwind a little after a long week. Luckily, Japanese Onsen Ryokan’s exist, which are hot spring inns! The mixture of the relaxing environment and the special Japanese traditional touches make your visit a great cultural and spiritual experience!

Traditional Japanese footwear is very distinct in style, and not super common to see today. Sandals, clogs, and flip-flop look-a-likes markup Japanese traditional footwear, varying in materials used. Here are three styles of traditional Japanese footwear.

In Japan, ringing in the New Year is all about unique celebrations and traditions that help you prepare for what the upcoming year will bring. Here are some staple custom for celebrating New Year in japan.

Traditional Japanese sweets are known as “wagashi.” Over time, people have taken wagashi to the next level of creativity, making exquisite works of art. Here are some examples of wagashi.

Folktales are something we hear as children and continue to stick with us our entire lives, until it is time to tell them to the next generation. This is true for all countries and cultures, including Japan.

Need an escape from reality? In North Granby, Connecticut the O Gawa Shou Japanese bed and breakfast is the perfect place to enjoy Japanese Ryokan. O Gawa Shou is a great place to relax and reflect in peace.

Are you a breakfast person? You better be if you’re going to try a traditional Japanese breakfast! Traditional Japanese breakfasts are complete meals, consisting of side dishes and foods from all different food groups.

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!

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!