Yurei, Yokai and Obake: Japan's Very Busy Ghost Scene
Ghosts and spirits hold a place in the folklore of many cultures around the world. In the western world, Halloween, observed on October 31st, is a time for scary, spooky tales, while Latin America will celebrate the deceased on the following day, November 1st, in a holiday called “Dia de Muertos”,…(1369 words)
jdlawrence
Japan Bon Festival History Yurei Yokai Obake KabukiWhy Do Japanese People Call Mt. Fuji, Mr. Fuji?
If you wondered why Japanese people refer to Mt. Fuji as Mr. Fuji, you are not alone.When I first came to Japan, and actually until about two years ago, well okay, actually it still happens a lot, I was confused and continue to get confused by place names.In Japanese, Mt. Fuji is called Fuj…(604 words)
Mount Fuji Tokyo History Nature Play Flower Mountain view Castle LakeDifference of IKEBANA and Western floral arrangement?
When I traveled foreign countries, I found some different customs, cultures, and ideas. It is all new to me and leads me more eager to know its deep culture. I will be frequently asked the difference between IKEBANA and western floral arrangement. Here is my works above the pictures.(Lef…(275 words)
Ami
IKEBANA History Flower Nature Japanese Culture ArtTatami smells good !!!
Tatami is a very traditional floor mat, which is a symbolic item indispensable for a Japanese style room; so called "Wa-shitsu", and is also considered as an official cultural gadget necessarily used in such Japanese architectures as temples, and tea rooms besides "Wa-shitsu". For example, when yo…(606 words)
Masa
Tatami Etiquette Kanto Kyoto Okinawa Tea Tera (Temple)My seven-tiered Hina doll set
The photo shows my seven-tiered Hina doll set. My grandpa bought the set for me when I was a baby. Platforms covered with a red carpet are used to display a set of ornamental dolls (雛人形 hina-ningyō) representing the Emperor, Empress, attendants, and musicians in traditional court dress of the He…(274 words)
EmiOnishi
tradition custom Dolls Hinamatsuri EventSalt is Sacred in Japan; You will see it often
Have you noticed a little mound of salt at the entrance of a restaurant during your visits to Japan?Salt was always a very important part of the Japanese diet and the ancient salt fields you see across Japan will attest to its importance in keeping Japanese people strong and healthy. Salt from …(277 words)
Salt Restaurant Asakusa Business FuneralA Pepper By Any Other Name Would Taste As Sweet
Someone asked me a question recently; one, that if you’ve lived in Japan long enough, have surely asked yourself: “Why do the Japanese call green bell peppers ‘piman’ and the red and yellow and orange ones ‘papurika’?”For me, answer the question was confusing on a few levels, seeing as how I, h…(381 words)
Former Deep Japan Writer
Japan Food History Cuisine Dinner Children Kids Entertainment MeijiJidaigeki Period Dramas Teaching Japanese Morals
Jidaigeki (時代劇). Let me tell you the book definition of Jidaigeki first for many of you may not know this term at all. It is Literally "period dramas", they are most often set during the Edo period of Japanese history, from 1603 to 1868. Some, however, are set much earlier, such as Heian period—…(494 words)
AustinA
Jidaigeki Ronin Edo Period Mito Koomon Shogun Drama Japanese TV shows Japanese Traditions Music History Samurai TelevisionJapanese companies, has a theme song.
Respectable company of Japan has a theme song.Professional make, easy to sing, the feeling is good.By singing, you will love the company.Japanese likes to act together.Its roots, has started from the age of six.In Japanese schools, weekly, monthly,Students will sing the school of …(105 words)
asteka
Japanese Japan Guide love Singing PrayingUmeshu and Umeboshi
When you are supermarkets, you must have seen a bunch of bottles and suger on sale these days. Yes, this time around the year is the time to make your own Umeshu and Umeboshi at home in Japan.Umeshu (梅酒) is a Japanese liqueur made from ume fruits (while still unripe and green) in alcohol and suga…(198 words)
EmiOnishi
Umeboshi Umeshu Drink Salt Fruits Shochu Onigiri (Rice ball) Sugar Japanese plumThe Traditional Colors of Japan - All the colors of the rainbow and much, much more! -
Some of Japan’s colors have a lengthy background dating back to the Asuka period (538 ~ 710) and the hierarchical Japanese color system itself can be most easily traced back to 603 AD, when Prince Shōtoko established the first Twelve Level Cap and Rank System in Japan.Based on Confucian values …(368 words)
Japanista
Japan TraditionalWhy Are All the Dogs I See in Japan So Small?
“That looks like a Rat!” exclaimed my English friend when he saw my tiny Kaninchen Dachshund named Cloudy skirting, bouncing and happily flitting around his legs one day in the park.At over six feet tall, I don't think he could really see clearly what critter was attached to the end of the leas…(982 words)
Japan Park Business Kids koban Japanese pets dacshund Japan Japanese Real Estate City FoodKansai Kyoto ben (Kansai Kyoto dialect)
I was born in Kyoto and raised up in Shiga (next to Kyoto). As I lived in Kansai area until I decided to move to Tokyo for job change when I was 30, people can tell I am from Kansai after talking with me for a while :-)As I was working as a sales back then, I tried not to sound too Kansai perso…(211 words)
EmiOnishi
Kyoto Kansai Tokyo ShigaDoraemon, a Nostalgic Childhood Cartoon Character for All Japanese
I remember waking up early on a Saturday morning with my sister in Hawaii to watch our favorite Saturday morning cartoons. Of all, I liked Scooby Doo the best. Why? Because he was like me, he was creative, he was always scared but he always saved the day and he definitely liked and worked hard for …(433 words)
Japanese cartoons Roppongi Hills Rainy Day Asahi Television Doraemon Japanese Animation Japanese Animation Japanese Anime Japanese Pop Culture BuildingJapanese Kōban – Police Boxes for Safety and Help 24/7
As you know, Japan is known as the safest country in the world and I believe Kōban (small neighborhood police stations) all over Japan play an important role in our safe society. Police officers stationed at kōban serve several roles:1) Crime and accident reports : When property crimes …(280 words)
yumin
koban police station Police emergency policemanJapanese Etiquette and Queue Lines
Although it isn’t like someone will yell at you if you don’t follow them, there are certain rules that people follow in general on train. First of all, people rarely make phone calls on trains. If it is an emergency, you should stand up from your seat and go near the door where there are less peopl…(184 words)
GenS
Etiquette Railway platform Train Japan love emergency Priority Seat drinkingShinsen near Shibuya
There is an area "Shinsen" which is close to Shibuya on the Keio train line. This area is well known for housing many Japanese celebrities both television and movie. While it may be difficult to actually meet a Japanese celebrity, unless you know exactly who you are looking for, you can see some of…(114 words)
KurtisW
Shibuya Tokyo Train Movie TelevisionDoraemon - Robot cat
The other day, from the local evening TV news, I learned that our Doraemon is to make his debut on US television this year (2014)!Doraemon is one of the most popular cartoon characters. He is a robot cat from the future with a magic pocket in his tummy. When I was a child, I used to sit in fron…(284 words)
EmiOnishi
cartoon Television Doraemon Japanese Animation Anime Manga Japanese Pop Culture Summer EveningDolls Day - March 3rd
March 3rd, is Girls' Day in Japan. It's also called Hina Matsuri (Doll Festival).Those who have sets of Hina Dolls display them in their homes on a platform - in tiers- and the tiers are covered with a red cloth. The dolls are called hina-ningyoh. They represent the Emperor, the Empress, and …(515 words)
Joe Peters
Dolls Tokyo Jinjya (Shrine) Chiba Sashimi (Raw fish) HinamatsuriI was born in Osaka Japan and Here is My View
Let me compare Tokyo and Osaka in terms of culture by using a metaphor of kitchen accessory. Tokyo is "Sponge". It soaks up all kinds of information and people are somehow drawn to this metropolis. The majority of companies hold their headquarters in Tokyo and that's one of the reasons behind i…(450 words)
yumin
Tokyo Osaka Train Etiquette Nature Subway Japanese Culture and StyleShopping Seasonal Japan - Limited Edition Products
“Spring passes and one remembers one's innocence.Summer passes and one remembers one's exuberance.Autumn passes and one remembers one's reverence.Winter passes and one remembers one's perseverance.” ― Yoko OnoOne of the many things I love about Japan is its distinctive four seasons. You…(259 words)
Former Deep Japan Writer
Japan Seasonal Souvenir Shopping Summer Spring Winter Nature Japanese AutumnFor Business: a Full Suit in Japan
Pretty much every businessman in Japan wears a full suit to work everyday. This is what allows the domestic suit company Aoyama to boast that it sells the most number of suits among all suit companies around the world. In Japanese business, not only are results considered important, but also attitu…(163 words)
GenS
Japan Business Businessman Summer style WorkOiran Parade : The screamingly bright colors!
Shinagawa Shukuba Festival is held on the last Saturday and Sunday of September every year. We just had one two weeks ago. One performance you should not miss is the parade of oiran (courtesans) wearing beautiful Kimono. If you are lucky, you will have an opportunity to watch one of those oiran par…(467 words)
EmiOnishi
Japanese festivals Kimono oiran Event Flower Autumn Live festival Kanto styleJapan's Strange Love for Strange and Unusual Snacks
The Japanese are well-known for their love of outrageous, sometimes excessive, and even downright silly, creativity. This creativity can produce both extraordinary and peculiar results.Japanese snacks are no exception. Article upon article has been written about them. Instagram and Facebook are…(415 words)
Former Deep Japan Writer
Food Japan Snacks Drink Seasonal Kit Kat UnusualSlapstick all the way
Japanese comedy is very heavily dependent on slapstick humor. One perfect example of this is the special new year's program shown every year in a unique episode.It's called "gaki tsukai ara-hen de", and it basically plays on the Japanese typical game called "batsu-game" (batsu is just the vocaliz…(141 words)
KurtisW
Game Comedy New yearThe Japanese Zodiac and How it Relates to Feminism in Japan
2014 is the year of the Horse and actually for all of us ladies born between Jan. 1, 1966 and Feb. 1967, it really means a lot. The Chinese Zodiac is shared with Japan and Korea and every 60 years, a certain group of women come along known as the Hinoeuma or Fire Horse. The stigma against the Fire …(218 words)
Women in Japan Japan Hinoeuma Year of the Horse Fire Horse Chinese Zodiac Lucky Horse“Promotion Daimyo Character” Ieyasu Kun Rallies for your Success in Hamamatsu City, Japan
Festooned with Symbols of Success for Japan “Ieyasu Kun” will make you smile and help you feel you can do anything you set your mind to.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlwK79Rl3ioHis “Chon Mage” hair fashion says it all! Look closely at Ieyasu Kun’s head and you will see it is not a black ha…(566 words)
City Hamamatsu City Tokyo Train Event Food Japanese festivals Shinkansen Bullet Train Yuru KyaraJourney on the Tokaido (Shinagawa is Stop Number Two)
Now that we have left the first stop Nihonbashi (described in my previous article), we are approaching our next stop of Shinagawa. Imagine you are traveling from Edo (Present Tokyo) to Kyoto during early 1800’s. It is highly likely that Tokaido Road was used to make your journey. It runs north and …(630 words)
AustinA
Shinagawa Tokyo Tokaido 53 Tsugi Train Summer Art Kyoto Hara MuseumPhotography Workshops in English
If you are a foreigner in Tokyo looking to learn some photography techniques in English, then you have some excellent opportunities here. In the almost 15 years that I have been in Japan, it was only about 4 years ago when I took up photography more seriously. I believe learning is a continuous pro…(396 words)
Ani
Photography English workshop Art Internet Tokyo Hobby NatureTenkara Fishing – From Ancient Japan to A Popular Sport With 80 Outlets in the United States
On a summer hike with a family friend in Winter Park, Colorado, we meandered into a conversation about Japan, my home for 29 years. Wow, Japan! That is so great! Tenkara is one of my favorite fishing styles! I love it!” My Cousin’s best friend’s husband from Boulder Colorado lit up with excitement …(953 words)
Japan City Park Food Trip Winter Nature Fishing and anglingManhole Covers Highlight Local Features
This is because they are emblazoned with cartoon characters or buildings that have a connection to the local area. There has even been an increase in the number of so called “manhole-joshi,” that is women who like to take pictures of unique “design manhole” covers. A panel discussion event called “…(264 words)
HiraganaTimes
Japan Event Trip Souvenir Japanese Television design new cartoonThere is a legend of “Enma the Great”. Japanese fear so much...
Japanese fear,“Enma the Great”.There is a legend of “Enma the Great”.The person who lied is pulled out his tongue by “Enma the Great”.It is such a legend.So the Japanese are all, They don't speak little lie.“Enma the Great” also appeared on the Japanese music.In Japan, there…(136 words)
asteka
Tokyo Music idol City Japan Japanese Shop GuideThe Doll's Festival
The Doll's Festival (March 3rd) is the day to celebrate the growth of girls. As bringers of good luck, we eat rhombus-shaped mochi and Hina-arare (sweetened rice-flour cakes for offering at the Dolls' Festival). Hina-arare have 4 colorful rice cakes (pink, green, yellow and white) representing four…(93 words)
OKAKI-sun
Trip Mochi (Rice cake) Rice cracker Hinaarare Japanse eventAssistance/Help button: Subway ticket machine
Tokyo is covered by a dense network of train, subway and bus lines. They are operated by about a dozen different companies. The train lines operated by JR East and the subway lines are most convenient for moving around central Tokyo. Although smartphones and mobile phones can provide great navigati…(129 words)
EmiOnishi
Ticket Subway Ticket machine Tokyo Train Bus Movie Mobile networkTourist Tip #7: DON'T!
Nobody wants to do the wrong thing when visiting a foreign country, and with Japan regarded as one of the politest countries in the world, there are plenty of wrong things that one can unintentionally D'oh!I posted a "Tourist Tip #5: Five Don'ts to Do" list a while back, and thought I would exp…(495 words)
Former Deep Japan Writer
Tourist Tip Etiquette Guide Taxicab Train Drink Beer PartyJapan's Money Men and Women (Part 1 of 2)
Have you ever wondered about the people who appear on Japanese paper money? Here's a quick two-part article to familiarize you with the famous faces that grace Japan's bank notes.Hideyo Noguchi (November 24, 1876 – May 21, 1928), also known as Seisaku Noguchi, was a distinguished Japanese bacteriol…(131 words)
Former Deep Japan Writer
Japanese money Yen Famous peopleWhat emus have to do with Japanese Technology
Think Japan, you'll sooner than later think technology. It's an association made around the world. It's why Akihabara remains one of the first (and last) places foreign tourists visit when they come - to take in and take advantage of the latest technology for sale.Part of the research I do for …(248 words)
Former Deep Japan Writer
Technology Japanese Visit City Japan English Akihabara Work Computer CarsThe Vague Expression “Bimyou” is “Yabai”
The Agency for Cultural Affairs announced the results of an opinion poll on the Japanese language carried out between January and February, 2015.It became apparent that the meaning of some words had changed over these last ten years.The word “yabai,” originally used to denote impending danger…(246 words)
HiraganaTimes
Japan English Japanese used newLearn the Rich History of Yokohama, Japan at Family-Friendly Museum
The Yokohama Kaiko Shiryokan (Yokohama Archives of History) is a museum in Yokohama, dedicated entirely to the opening of the port city of Yokohama to Western trade in 1859. This was an important event which led to the collapse of the Tokugawa Shogunate in 1868, marking the end of the Edo Period an…(91 words)
GenS
Museum History Yokohama JapanThe importance of "bihaku"
Unlike many of the Western countries, Japanese tend to not show much skin when going out. They favor "bihaku" meaning white, clear skin and therefore cover up as much as possible using clothing, hats and sun umbrellas. Even in the scorching summer, you will see many people wearing long pants, long …(100 words)
RieS
Fashion Summer