Try Learning About Japanese Language and Culture before Considering Lessons
Before taking haiku lessons, you're better off learning some Japanese first. Without any understanding of the language or culture, you will simply be learning about a poem format and have no cultural context to truly understand Haiku. When you're ready for lessons, you can look to a Japanese langua…(65 words)
KurtisW
Haiku
If you would like to see traditional Sumo, then try to go Kokugikan!
Sumo is really fun to watch. I never interested watching sumo before but when I went to the sumo match for the first time, I really enjoy it! You can see powerful sumo match at the Kokugikan. Kokugikan is a sumo hall (indoor sporting arena located in Ryogoku. The…(230 words)
yukorose
Sumo Tokyo Shopping Ticket Beer Museum Hot pot dish
Best place to see Bonsai in Tokyo!
Although bonsai is well known in the world, I did not know where we can see bonsai trees in public.My grandfather takes care of Bonsai in his garden but as you guess, it is more country side. It is cool thing that bonsai is actually you can take care of it at an apartment even in the city.My …(130 words)
yukorose
Tokyo City Museum Holidays
NHK TV Program "Professional"
I recommend the TV program called "Professional" broadcasting by NHK(National TV Channel #1) and it introduces Japanese professionals or experts or charismas in various industries or area such as entrepreneur, chief, engineer, artist, athlete, etc.etc. You may touch their philosophy or idea, and al…(83 words)
kurukurugurume
Television
Learn how to arrange a beautiful, traditional Japanese bouquet
Well, one of my favorite things about traveling around Tokyo is the Ekibana (Station flower arrangements) you can find at many of the local stations. I wrote about this in my book because it is such an amazing way to welcome people back after a long day at work as well as to send them off in the mo…(153 words)
Flower
Traditional
Tokyo
Art
Station master
Stay
Work
Roppongi
There is a TV station, TV Asahi, right by the side of Roppongi Hills. You can probably meet Japanese celebrities at restaurants around the area.(25 words)
shinR
Tokyo Roppongi Roppongi Hills
Japan has the Cleanest Shops in the World
If you happen to be a bit jet lagged and feel like walking around some of Tokyo's downtown neighborhoods (Roppongi, Shinjuku, Shinbashi, etc.) early in the morning, you will see some interesting culture that has to do with how this city stays clean. In the Summer time, shop owners will often do som…(170 words)
Japan
Tokyo
City
Etiquette
Shinjuku
Roppongi
Salt
Shinbashi
Summer
Comparison of Japanese Dilects, Lots of History Here!
Japan has variety of dialects. Some has different accents and some has different words. There is a “formal” dialect called Hyojungo.Beginning of the Maji period, Japanese government tried to make the country as strong centralized country. For that reason, making a “formal” dialect, which could …(111 words)
Tsuru
History
Washi This
Washi is handmade paper and is typically made from the fibers of one of three types of bushes; gampi, mitsumata, or paper mulberry.Washi is actually amazingly tough, even more so than paper made from normal wood pulp. It's used in a variety of items such as Japanese kites, lamp shades, woodbloc…(335 words)
Joe Peters
Edo Tokyo Museum/Edo Tokyo Hakubutsukan
If you are really interested in Japan culture and the way things used to be and how people lived in Tokyo, then you must put this on your list of places to visit while in Tokyo. You will find original and replicated exhibits which are built to scale. You will see models painstakingly built to sca…(160 words)
Kevin
Tokyo Museum Visit History Samurai English
Where does the cherry-viewing buzz come from?
Cherry blossom period is starting in Japan. It is the time when Japanese people are enjoying watching flowers blooming everywhere:- trying to find out the first sakura bud of the year and take a picture of it, - having pique-nique under the trees (well, usually, drinking and karaoke-ing a lot…(339 words)
Claire
Cherry blossom Beauty
Traditional TV Dramas Jidaigeki - Mito Koomon (Mito Mitsukuniko)
Jidaigeki and Traditional Japan Mito Koomon (AKA - Tokugawa Mitsukuni)This past weekend, I decided to take a trip to a place call Mito city located in Ibaraki prefecture, north – north - east of Tokyo and with a train, it takes a little over an hour with rapid express or bit more than 2 hours w…(469 words)
AustinA
Japan History Samurai Hero Japan Travel Samurai Japan Travel Mito Plums in Japan Art Museum History Samurai Jidaigeki
Japan's intelligence comes from the 4 seasons?
When you ask someone from abroad on what they think of JapanWhat answers would you get back?Some many say that Japanese people are polite.Have mannersGood at staying in line.Smart. Have respect for each other.There are many things people think about Japan.Today I would like to t…(572 words)
Yuuki I
Etiquette Business Education School Japanese cartoons
How do the Japanese promote good behavior?
I always wonder how it is possible to get so many people behave in a special way, especially when it comes to public manners. No scoop here, but the Japanese society model is not based on individualism. Fitting in is a matter of survival. But well, how do they promote good manners? But what…(433 words)
Claire
Train Etiquette Strawberry Cake
Omiyage wrapping
Omiyage is the Japanese social obligation of gifting. It's expected for travelers/guests to bring omiyage when they go somewhere for hosts or when they return home for family, friends or coworkers. It's best when the gift is a specialty product of the region, from which that the traveler is coming.…(226 words)
EmiOnishi
Souvenir Shopping Visit Etiquette Beauty Region Japanese Culture
Parents Encourage English Learning in Japan After Watching Disney Movie Frozen
Take a look at this video of a sweet little Japanese girl with her Kanji chart visible in the background singing "Let it Go" for all the world to see. At the beginning you hear her mother say "Ikimasu!" which means "Here we go!"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFpGHF-oJKcWell, that is exac…(540 words)
English
English Japan
English Language Japan
Frozen Film in Japan
Japanese Culture and Style
Japanese Culture
Visit Japan
Japan Travel
Small tips doing business in Japan
Doing business in Japan will be quite different then how things are done in the Western culture.For instance you wish to get a contract signed between two companies.In the Western culture you might say I'll talk to the person in charge or talk directly with the president and will get the cont…(481 words)
Yuuki I
Business Drink Dinner May Edo Period
Tourist Tip #5: Five Don'ts to Do
"When in Rome, do as the Romans do." - or in Japanese, 「郷に入っては郷に従え」 (Gou ni itte wa, gou ni shitagae; "Entering the village, obey the village.")Nobody wants to do the wrong thing, especially when it means very possibly embarrassing yourself, and potentially others, in front of other…(299 words)
Former Deep Japan Writer
Tourist Tip Taboo Shoes Drink Eat
What Japan is proud of - Craftsmanship! : Japanese Watches III
Founded in 1881 (2011 was its 130th Anniversary) by Kintaro Hattori - first, as clock repair shop, then start making its own clocks. Set up its manufacturing factory (Seikosha). Went on to the watches by establishing Daini (second) Seikosha.... "Seiko" means, again, "precision" or "precision man…(656 words)
KIH
Watches Museum History English SEIKO
The System of Rubbish
So let’s get right to it and get dirty, ‘trash’ or ‘rubbish’ speaking that is. If you happen to be walking around the streets of Tokyo, Yokohama, or most other places in Japan and you finish your snack, and are now ready to dispose of your wrapper. Only to realize, that you will have to put it into…(300 words)
Alex
Vending Machines Rubbish Trash Tokyo Yokohama Drink English Public toilet
A Car License the Old-fashioned Way
After being in Japan a while you might feel the need to drive, especially if you live outside a big city. Getting a car license if you are from abroad can be a daunting task for some people but there are actually several ways to go about it.You can transfer your license from your home country. …(324 words)
Kenji
City Live Stay School Work car license
NOUSAKU: Flexible ware? Great Japanese Craftmanship
My parents' birthdays are coming up this month and I am considering to present them a special Japanese craftman art this year. Have you heard of NOUSAKU brand? I had a chance to do some research on this company at work and I would like to share about their wonderful work. It is becoming a huge hit …(395 words)
EmiOnishi
craftmanship Japanese manufacturing Souvenir Art Ginza Department store Mitsukoshi Tokyo City Hotel
Japan's Money Men and Women (Part 2 of 2)
Ichiyo Higuchi (May 2, 1872 – November 23, 1896) is the pen name of Japanese author Natsu Higuchi, also known as Natsuko Higuchi. She was a short story writer, and Japan's first prominent writer. Although she died very young, at 24, her stories have had a massive impact on Japanese literature and i…(155 words)
Former Deep Japan Writer
Japanese money Yen Famous people
Japan Tax-free Shopping guide 日本免稅購物常見問題
From October 1, 2014, additional products are added to the tax-exemption products at tax-free program participating stores. This includes food, medicines and cosmetics.* There are some restrictions and conditions depending on the type of products for tax-exemption purchase.(1) Consumables (food…(232 words)
Eddie
Shopping Guide Tax-free Food Business Cosmetics Shop Medicine
In Home Hydrotherapy
Japan boasts a myriad of pristine beaches, picturesque lakes and waterfalls, and serine onsens like none other. Spending time in these waters can be very therapeutic for your body and your mind alike, but the fast pace of life can often deprive you of time to be able to fully utilize and immerse yo…(327 words)
Alex
Bath Bath Salt Hydrotherapy Onsen Beaches Salt Pharmacy Furo (Japanese bath) child
How to easily find English speaking doctors & dentists in Japan
For those of us living or traveling in this country it is not uncommon to be in need of a qualified English-speaking doctor or dentist in Japan. It is also not uncommon to be lost about where to go.There is a really good service out there called HealthyTokyo.com. They have put together an impr…(314 words)
Aron
Dentists in Japan Doctor health Food Yen spa lost network
In front of the sushi board
Sushi Chefs and Chefs in general in Japan and referred to as a “Itamae” or “Itamae-san,” which makes a great deal of sense, as “ita” means board and “mae” describes a position in front of something.Recently, I had the opportunity to take a 1.5 hour sushi making lesson at Tama Sushi, which cover…(462 words)
Aron
Sushi Fish Lesson Japan Eat Seafood Horse radish Watches
Interesting Japan: Washlets, things that make you go hmmm!?
I was inspired to write this quick post when I learned that the other day (November 19) was United Nations World Toilet Day.http://www.bbc.com/news/in-pictures-34867488After looking at the pictures in the BBC article, I reflected on how fortunate we are in Japan because of our washlets. For…(272 words)
Former Deep Japan Writer
Interesting Japan Japan Washlet Japanese Winter Toilet Mobile Stalls
Protecting the Beach and Environment in Enoshima
When Michel and Alana Bonzi, the owner-operators of the Soleil Provence French language school in Kugenuma near Fujisawa bought their house in 2008, they knew they'd become an integral part of their local community. For Michel, who hails from Nice, France, and Alana, from Tobago in the Caribbean, b…(429 words)
Former Deep Japan Writer
Enoshima Island Fujisawa Volunteering Tokyo Visit Event Beaches Outdoor recreation Environment SEGO
Knowing, Being, Doing
I've been posting something like the following in various places on the internet, but Deep Japan is probably the most appropriate context for this topic -- because "deep Japan" is probably the most appropriate place to think about these things.The starting point is "now".Now is the only ti…(600 words)
Adam F
Japanese Japanese Culture Communication Japan Nature Traditional Camera design used Internet
Seeing Kusatsu’s Yumomi Ceremony Live
The hot spring water that flows throughout Kusatsu comes from deep within the earth and, as a result, is very, very hot. Between 51 and 94 degrees Celsius to be exact. You may be wondering how this water is cooled. Adding cold water?One of the ways the water is brought to a comfortable temperat…(345 words)
Petra
Onsen Kusatsu Onsen Trip Spring Bath
Family life
Going "away" to college has always been the dominant image for students in my mind (I'm from the U.S). Even a university only a few hours away would more than likely require a student to move into a dormitory or apartment. In fact, this has become so standard and expected of students in the U.S, th…(167 words)
KurtisW
Tokyo City
Be polite
The key is to be conscientious of others: don't eat on the train, don't talk on the phone, remove your back-pack, try to speak a bit quieter than normal, and don't cross your legs.(34 words)
Sweet42.195
Train Etiquette
Sentence endings
In Japan, there is a wealth of dialects, and they tend to act upon specific aspects of the language. For the most part, nouns, adjectives, and verb roots will not have much variance between dialects, if any. Many changes however occur to sentence endings. Japanese in all dialects adds slight fl…(134 words)
KurtisW
Tokyo Osaka Kansai Region
Experiencing a Japanese-style New Year Season
New Year is a big event in Japan when people congratulate the peaceful ending of the previous year and the coming of the new year. Many families visit their relatives and eat "osechi", a special meal. You can make your own, or order it at various department stores. Sending out warm new year messag…(96 words)
Rena
Event Department store Jinjya (Shrine) Kimono New year
A peaceful resting ground
Japanese graveyards are in my experience much different in appearance than those of the U.S, where I'm from. There are some smaller neighborhood graveyards, and there are larger ones in reserved areas in town. One thing that is very different is the physical layout of the graveyards. Cremation is l…(136 words)
KurtisW
Tokyo Graveyards
Bathroom slippers
The most important thing to remember when you use bathroom slippers: Don't forget to take them off when you finish using the restroom. it is sometimes very difficult to remember, because you were wearing room slippers before you went in. The faux pas is going to get caught pretty quickly - the ba…(99 words)
mikekato
Etiquette Slippers
Komainu: A pair of lion-like creatures in front of various shrines
The lion or dog-like statues that are placed in a pair, in front of shrines are called "Komainu". The creature on the right hand side facing the shrine has its mouth open, and the one on the left has its mouth closed. They are placed to protect the shrine from evil spirits. Some shrines have statue…(80 words)
Rena
Jinjya (Shrine)
A "date-megane" will change your look
The latest trend among young people in Tokyo is to wear “date-megane” or glasses without lens. It is a small accessory that completely changes your look! Both men and women do this and these glasses are sold everywhere in Tokyo for reasonable prices!(43 words)
RieS
Tokyo
Asakusa Culture Tourism Center
If you need more information when you are in Asakusa, visit the Asakusa Culture Tourism Center which is a few minutes by walk from Asakusa Station. It is near the Kaminari-mon (a gate with a giant lantern), one of the attractions of Asakusa. The Center provides information about Asakusa and other a…(61 words)
Rena
Asakusa Tourism