What to do at a Japanese Funeral | Funeral Etiquette
Attending a Japanese funeral can be stressful, even shocking, if you don't know what to do. The more you know beforehand the better, as you'll be able to comfort and support mutual friends and their families as is wont to do.Varying in size and ceremony, it's safe to say that most Japanese, fun…(418 words)
Former Deep Japan Writer
Japan Etiquette Funeral custom Japanese6 Interesting Japanese Manners & Customs
Have a comprehensive look at what you MUST know before traveling to a new place.Learning the manners and customs of the country you are traveling to is imperative to impress and socialize with the locals. Plus, it is part of your travel manners. Doesn’t it sound more educated and literate when a …(580 words)
Lara
Japanese Etiquette Interesting Japan Japan Restaurant Food Trip English Drink EatThe Saga of the 50cc license (2007)
I've been struggling to get a 50cc motorbike license since May. You would think it would be easy but the thing is that I was determined to take the test in Japanese like all the other Japanese people in this country. After I went to day school for the certificate showing that I had taken a 50cc dri…(512 words)
Kenji
Saga City Bus English May Stay School Rain speakersLearning not dressmaking but KIMONO-making
Last year, I made casual kimono (Yukata) by myself from a roll of cotton fabric. (Kimono is usually made from one roll of fabric.) I was the very beginner and the process was challenging, but I really enjoyed kimono-making.Kimono-making is called Wasai in Japanese. You can learn Wasai in Miyuki…(333 words)
skymaho
Kimono Tokyo Yukata (Light kimono) Fireworks handmadeHow to sell your story in Japan?
Many of you must have been writing your experiences on Facebook, Twitter or blogs. Wouldn’t it be nice if you could actually sell those stories? I would like to share with you how I was able to publish two books in Japan a few years ago and still receiving the royalty fees. I hope you can publi…(450 words)
Asiantiger
Publishing book writingClaps and bows in silence
Every New Year's holiday, I go to Tsurugaoka Hachimangu in Kamakura. There, you first throw money, bow twice, clap your hands twice, pray and then bow once (you can follow this process at any shrine). It may sound like a complicated process, but all you have to do is follow the person before you (t…(160 words)
RieS
Tera (Temple) Kamakura Jinjya (Shrine) Beauty New yearYoga Studio in the middle of Sakae
With a hard day of work and constantly checking our phones. It's easy to lower our priority in having time for ourself.When these short times maybe the important ones.One of the limited moments that I'm making time for my self is when I am sitting on my surfboard waiting for a wave.The …(361 words)
Yuuki I
Park City English view Nagoya July Work SurfingEtiquette on the train/ subway and public places...
As you may know, Japan is the country of courtesy and helping each other as well as trying not to bother others. Well, used to be, at least. These days, I find that it is becoming the "lost art", sadly. Nonetheless, I would like foreign tourists and visitors to know and understand Japanese way t…(537 words)
KIH
Train Etiquette Subway Bus Transportation Cafe Phone Priority SeatGetting your Motorcycle License
There are a few ways to get a motorcycle license in Japan. If you have a license from your home country you can go through the process of having it transferred to a Japanese one. This process differs according the home country in question.If you don't have a license you can get one by taking th…(189 words)
Kenji
School running MotorsportWorth to learn "IKEBANA" once you are in Japan!
Have you ever tried IKEBANA?IKEBANA is the Japanese traditional flower arrangement, but you never imagine there is much difference from the regular floral designs prevailing in Western style. Learning IKEBANA provides you understanding a true-feel about Japan and you can find who you are thro…(145 words)
Ami
IKEBANA Tokyo English Nature Flower activities Shinjuku MuseumGetting Clean in Japan
When you want to get clean after a long, crowded, sweaty day on the subway, you may retreat to your bathroom and jump into a deep Japanese bathtub and let the stress of the day drift away. Many westerners love a good soak, but like many things that are wonderfully different here in Japan, there is …(290 words)
Alex
Onsen sento Etiquette Public Bath BathThe Tama Sushi Experience: Learning how to make sushi the right way!
Deep Japan Senpai Jason, Katharina and myself were invited by Tama Sushi to receive the Tama Sushi Experience, so we could give them our opinions and convey our experiences to you via Deep Japan. Lucky us -- not only did we have a great time, we learned a lot and enjoyed a sushi lunch too!The l…(432 words)
Aron
Sushi History Tsukiji Japan English Ginza Eat Sashimi (Raw fish) Fish JapaneseJapanese style wedding, what it is like?
According to national statistics in Japan, a bit more than 600,000 couples got married in 2017. Another private survey for such newly married couples showed that two-thirds of them had a wedding ceremony and that only 17% of them chose Japanese traditional style, Shinto wedding ceremony, while 65% …(453 words)
TomokoI
wedding Tokyo Event Jinjya (Shrine) Kimono experience Kimono fashion for men Kimono Chiba Tokyo Bay Sake (Rice wine)Aisatsu
The use of aisatsu is probably one of the best ways to strike up a relationship in Japan. "Aistatsu" are greetings such as "Konnichi wa" (Hello, used during the day). Try using aisatsu at a variety of places; eg. in the elevator, in the park, at ths supermarket or in the izakaya (as per the above e…(97 words)
StevieB
Park Izakaya GreetingKyudo at the Tokyo Budokan
One of the nicest Kyudo ranges in the Tokyo area can be found at the Tokyo Budokan. The range is unique in that it offers both short range targets at 28 meters and long range targets at 60 meters. Unless you are possess a minimum of first level black belt rank from the Budokan or other Kyudo fe…(127 words)
KurtisW
Kyumeikan Dojo in Itabashi
There is a Kendo dojo in Itabashi called the Kyumeikan dojo. They can teach Kendo to students as young as 3 years old and offer classes in English. The dojo is unique in that it sends students to other dojos to learn from other teachers and offers dinners so students and teachers can get to better …(69 words)
KurtisW
TokyoIf 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 dishBest 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 HolidaysLearn 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 WorkWashi 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
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 CakeThe 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 toiletA 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 licenseJapan 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 MedicineKnowing, 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 InternetWhat can I do to learn more about the Kamakura period?
There are dozens of Buddhist temples and Shintō shrines in Kamakura. Kamakura was the thirteenth-century capital of Japan and is sometimes called Japan's "little Kyoto." Visiting its temples and shrines is a fun way to learn about the Kamakura period, which was a turning point in Japanese Buddhism,…(131 words)
mark
Go to Sakuragicho or Kannai for music-related performances!
The most popular places in the area for music-related street performances are Sakuragicho and Kannai in Yokohama. Right outside Sakuragicho station, there are many types of music performed, from ballads to acoustic to pop! It may be fun to stop by, listen and perhaps purchase their CD! Kannai i…(82 words)
RieS
Tokyo Yokohama MusicJust say Iie or No
In Japanese, the direct expression for no is iie. However, most Japanese people know the English word no and are more likely to respect a direct refusal. In Japanese culture, refusal is often done out of courtesy and Japanese people will ask a few more times unless your refuse directly. If you …(76 words)
KurtisW
Majestic Japanese Garden and Tea House in the Middle of Tokyo
Although you will not be able to participate in a formal Japanese tea ceremony at Hamarikyu garden, you will be able to relax in a Japanese style gazebo, in the middle of a historical garden where the Shogun used to indulge in his falconry hobby, with a freshly made cup of Japanese tea in your hand…(186 words)
GenS
Garden Tokyo Tea Asakusa River TraditionalStarting Pottery in Tokyo
There are many Japanese ceramics studios in Tokyo and throughout Japan that offer introductory courses for beginners. In fact, most professional studios offer some kind of courses for people to make their own works, either formally or informally. But the easiest places to find out how to get star…(235 words)
mikekato
Tokyo LibraryGo out to drink to socialize.
Japanese people like to be in groups.They also take close attention to "Kuki" (air) the atmosphere of the location, the people they are with. You won't be welcomed if you bombard a random group or at an Izakaya.There are many pubs all around Japan now.These places are more open, the Japanes…(129 words)
Yuuki I
Drink IzakayaOnce a year
There is an "open market" (late October?) for those interested in purchasing a Japanese sword at a building right near the Atago Police Station {across from Japanese Red Cross headquarters}; I don't recall the exact building name [Nihon Token Club Building? Token means "sword & stuff" in Japanese, …(117 words)
Mike's
Tokyo Building Police ArtCheck out Ryogoku
If you go to Ryogoku, you can find a wide variety of sumo stables and see sumo wrestlers going about their daily business. Ryugoku has its own sumo stadium as well, called the Ryugoku Kokugikan. You can watch sumo wrestling matches there on occaision. I also recommend trying Chanko Nabe, which is a…(66 words)
KurtisW
Tokyo Sumo Hot pot dishGo to Kamakura in Japan
If you are interested in learning about the Kamakura period, there is nothing more you can do than to actually go to Kamakura. From Tokyo, Kamakura is less than an hour away towards Yokohama on the Yokosuka line. Just one train ride to the former capital of Japan. When you arrive, you will definite…(268 words)
GenS
Kamakura History Tokyo Train City Yokohama Building Museum Sea KanagawaTokyo Sumo Stable Tours for a Memorable Japan Experience
If you are interested in visiting a Sumo stable and watching the wrestlers train for the day, there a many many opportunities available to do so.Most stable now have their own websites and I am guessing that you the visit may have a particular wrestler that you are fond of a know the name of th…(132 words)
DjMarvin
Sumo Tokyo TrainConversation clubs
Japanese people are very interested in speaking English. It is quite the phenomenon, as it seems that a huge majority, of people in Tokyo at least, want in some way to make English a part of their lives. Some need it for work, others want it as a tool to be able to handle foreign customers, some li…(164 words)
KurtisW
TokyoCheck out Shunkaen Bonsai Museum
There is the Shunkaen Bonsai Museum in Edogawa, Tokyo if you're looking for something other than the Bonsai Art Museum in Omiya. They're open from 10am-5pm everyday except Monday. Address:1-29-16 NihoriEdogawa-Ku, TokyoPhone Number:+81 03-3670-8622(40 words)
KurtisW
Tokyo Museum Art Art museumCheck out the Ohara School of Ikebana
The Ohara school of Ikebana in Tokyo is one of the more well known schools and is conveniently located in Miniami Aoyama. They offer classes in English at around 4000 yen but they are closed from July 18-September 5 for summer holidays. Address7-15-5 Minami AoyamaMinato-Ku, TokyoPhone N…(51 words)
KurtisW
Tokyo Holidays SummerWidely Available in Asakusa
If you go to Asakusa, the stores lined up behind Kaminarimon, or Thunder Gate, often carry imitation swords you can buy as souveniers for friends or yourself. If you are more interested in acquiring an actual Katana, you will need to look up Katana makers online and expect to pay a few thousand dol…(66 words)
KurtisW
Tokyo Asakusa2 bows, 2 claps and 1 bow in a shrine
In a shrine "2 bows, 2 claps and 1 bow" is the traditional procedure. 1. Ring the bell and throw coin(s) in2. 2 bows3. 2 claps4. keep putting your palms together, closing your eyes and pray5. Open eyes and 1 bow(35 words)
juninada
Tera (Temple) Jinjya (Shrine) Coin