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A Pepper By Any Other Name Would Taste As Sweet images

A 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 image

Former Deep Japan Writer

Maizuru - The Dancing Crane images

Maizuru - The Dancing Crane

Along with Kure, Sasebo and Yokosuka, Maizuru is one of the four most important port towns in Japan, located in the northern part of Kyoto prefecture, which is about an hour and a half train ride from JR Kyoto station. Its name consists of two kanji 舞鶴, which literally translated mean “Dancing Cr…(1000 words)

DeepJapan Editor image

DeepJapan Editor

Visit the amazing Kururi-jo Castle and explore the history at Kururi-Joshi Museum! images

Visit the amazing Kururi-jo Castle and explore the history at Kururi-Joshi Museum!

Personally, I love the way visiting different castles in Japan brings centuries-old history to life. Recently I visited “Kururi-jo Castle”, located in Kimitsu City of Chiba Prefecture. If you're a fan of Japanese castles too, I'd certainly recommend taking a visit there, especially if you enjoy tri…(563 words)

CHIBA-KUN image

CHIBA-KUN

Elaborate Daimyo Mansions in Japan images

Elaborate Daimyo Mansions in Japan

Although technically not a museum, there are many daimyo yashiki (feudal lord mansions) in tokyo, open to the public, where you can learn a lot about the luxurious lifestyles daimyo and their families had during the Edo Period. The Shogun Tokugawa wanted to limit the powers of the daimyo to maintai…(199 words)

GenS image

GenS

The legacy of the Samurai is alive and well in Fukushima images

The legacy of the Samurai is alive and well in Fukushima

One of the most renowned samurai regions, Fukushima has captivating history and culture to share with visitors. With full days of castles, training grounds, arts, lodging, food and drinks, the fun and educational trip to Shirakawa, Aizu, and Nihonmatsu gave us all a clear picture of what it meant…(1012 words)

DeepJapan Editor image

DeepJapan Editor

The Tama Sushi Experience: Learning how to make sushi the right way! images

The 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 image

Aron

Japan destinations steeped in history images

Japan destinations steeped in history

The Nisshinkan Samurai School“I always wanted to explore Fukushima so I headed north from Tokyo station for a short ride on the Tohoku Shinkansen Toward Koriyama station… I boarded our chartered bus on the way to Nisshinkan Samurai school located in Aizu. It was the most prestigious institution…(572 words)

DeepJapan image

DeepJapan

Learn the Rich History of Yokohama, Japan at Family-Friendly Museum images

Learn 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 image

GenS

My Peaceful Enlightenment at the Yokohama Archives of History:) images

My Peaceful Enlightenment at the Yokohama Archives of History:)

On March 21, 2015, I had the opportunity of exploring the Yokohama Archives of History (Yokohama Kaikō Shiryōkan) located in Kannai, Yokohama. This museum focused primarily on the years between Commodore Mathew C. Perry’s arrival in 1853 and the Great Kantō Earthquake in 1923. Generally, when I vis…(810 words)

hanavictoria image

hanavictoria

Kamakurabori Museum Encounter the world of Kamakurabori carving, a traditional handcraft images

Kamakurabori Museum Encounter the world of Kamakurabori carving, a traditional handcraft

Even if you have never heard the name “Kamakurabori”, I am sure that many people would say “oh, I have seen this before!” when they see the real thing. Some might incorporate Kamakurabori carvings in their daily lives, whether in a tray, incense container or tea canister. It is a traditional handcr…(1148 words)

Kanagawa P.G.T.D. image

Kanagawa P.G.T.D.

Everything About the Edo Period At Edo Tokyo Museum in Japan images

Everything About the Edo Period At Edo Tokyo Museum in Japan

If you are interested in learning about the Edo period, the Edo Tokyo Museum is THE PLACE TO GO. It is a gigantic museum in Ryogoku (by the Sumo Arena) and is probably the most extensive museum on the Edo Period in the world. The best thing about this museum is that it has volunteer English speakin…(93 words)

GenS image

GenS

Go to Kamakura in Japan images

Go 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 image

GenS

History in Iron and Steel at Saitama's Railway Museum images

History in Iron and Steel at Saitama's Railway Museum

If your kids love trains or if you're a railway buff at heart, look no further. Have I got the museum for you! Located in Saitama, Saitaima, Japan, the Railway Museum (鉄道博物館) is a treasure trove of all things related to Japanese trains - past, present, and future.The museum opened in 2007 …(220 words)

Former Deep Japan Writer image

Former Deep Japan Writer

Odawara Castle images

Odawara Castle

Nobility, castles, vast open farm lands, Shōguns, and warring samurai mounted on horseback are what you would have seen if you were to travel to Edo, or Tokyo, back in the fifteenth century. If you have come to Japan to try and get a little glimpse or feel for that era in time, or if you just have…(336 words)

Alex image

Alex

February, US Black History Month images

February, US Black History Month

February is Black History Month in the US. The Pink Cow was the first place in Tokyo and has been celebrating African-American History Month for 10 years now! We are very proud of the contributions of African-Americans to our rich US culture and history and want to share some of that with people fr…(318 words)

Traci Pink Cow image

Traci Pink Cow

A Lesson in Perspective at Yasukuni Shrine images

A Lesson in Perspective at Yasukuni Shrine

Yasukuni Shrine was built in 1869 to commemorate the Japanese men who have died in war since 1853. To date, there are more than 2.4 million souls enshrined there. The large grounds feature the honden, or main shrine, a perfectly manicured shinchi teien, or sacred pond garden full of koi, and a larg…(246 words)

Petra image

Petra

Onsen Tradition in Kusatsu images

Onsen Tradition in Kusatsu

One of the oldest and most reputed onsens in Japan, Kusatsu was a favourite of the 5th and 8th shoguns ( it’s said that they transported waters to their castle in Edo). The onsen, while being preferred by Japanese for more than 1000 years, is relegated to a paragraph at best in the leading English…(315 words)

Alana image

Alana

Narita, a town with the temple of over 1000-year-long history images

Narita, a town with the temple of over 1000-year-long history

I believe that many of you know Narita for the International Airport to go in/out Japan.But did you know another face of the city? Shinshoji temple in Narita city has over 1000 years history "since 940" (not a century but a millennium!).For locals, even in modern times, the temple is know…(461 words)

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TomokoI

Finding a little bit of the old Tokyo images

Finding a little bit of the old Tokyo

The YaNeSen area“Affectionately known as YaNeSen (Yanaka-Sendagi-Nezu), this part of Tokyo was untouched by fire bombings during World War II, which may help explain why it has managed to retain the tranquility and charm usually reserved for small towns in Japan's minor islands. The area is a t…(450 words)

DeepJapan image

DeepJapan

Travel along the Sea of Japan coast – Shimane, Tottori, Kyoto, Toyoma, Niigata images

Travel along the Sea of Japan coast – Shimane, Tottori, Kyoto, Toyoma, Niigata

Maizuru, Kyoto Prefecture"Maizuru developed as seaside town with its own industry and culture reaching even more importance when a 5,300-year-old dugout canoe from Jomon period, which is considered one of the oldest in the world, was discovered and excavated. It is... also the perfect place for…(516 words)

DeepJapan image

DeepJapan

Saitama City is quickly accessible from Tokyo images

Saitama City is quickly accessible from Tokyo

Saitama City is quickly accessible from Tokyo, and a central hub of culture and history within Saitama Prefecture. We have five recommended spots to put you in touch with the diverse appeal of this area.・Musashi Ichinomiya Hikawa -jinja ShrineWith a purported history of over 2000 years, this…(458 words)

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DeepJapan

Yurei, Yokai and Obake: Japan's Very Busy Ghost Scene images

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)

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jdlawrence

Why Do Japanese People Call Mt. Fuji, Mr. Fuji? images

Why 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)

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Difference of IKEBANA and Western floral arrangement? images

Difference 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 image

Ami

Tokyo's Yamanote Line: More Than You Ever Wanted To Know images

Tokyo's Yamanote Line: More Than You Ever Wanted To Know

Cruise through the pages of Deep Japan, and you'll find tons of advice on how to ride the trains and get to where you're going. But, did you ever stop to think about *how* and *why* the train system in Japan became like it is? There are way too many train lines to count, and each line has its o…(968 words)

jdlawrence image

jdlawrence

Top 5 Awesome Things About Akihabara images

Top 5 Awesome Things About Akihabara

Ah Akihabara, a very unique spot of Tokyo, Japan. Many people flock to this flashy decorated part of the metropolis each for their own special reasons. An uninformed one may be intimidated by the strange sight of Akihabara, or Akiba as it's known to familiars. What makes this area of Tokyo so speci…(1402 words)

Alex Kobayashi /Subtokyo image

Alex Kobayashi /Subtokyo

Jidaigeki Period Dramas Teaching Japanese Morals images

Jidaigeki 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 image

AustinA

Dockyard Garden A stone-built dock constructed at the same time as the Port of Yokohama images

Dockyard Garden A stone-built dock constructed at the same time as the Port of Yokohama

Yokohama Landmark Tower came into existence as the new symbol of Yokohama. At the foot of the tower is the Dockyard Garden. This is a reconstruction of the “No. 2 Dock of the Former Yokohama Dock Company”, the oldest stone-built commercial dock in Japan, and has been recognized as a nationally desi…(768 words)

Kanagawa P.G.T.D. image

Kanagawa P.G.T.D.

Popular Anime Locations in Japan images

Popular Anime Locations in Japan

One of the most popular anime ever. In an apocolyptic future, after the destruction of Tokyo by giant monster, the capitol of Japan is moved to Hakone`s Sengokuhara area.The main characters go to school in the Hakone area as they train to become Mech drivers in an effort to thwart another alien…(324 words)

Kintaro-man image

Kintaro-man

Spectacles of Saitama: 4 Spots to Feel Saitama's Culture and Nature images

Spectacles of Saitama: 4 Spots to Feel Saitama's Culture and Nature

Located directly northwest of Tokyo, Saitama is often confused with simply being a part of Tokyo, but it’s a city of its own, offering all sorts of exciting locations, attractions and activities. Today we’d love to share a few of those places with you! First, we’ll take you downtown to the largest …(936 words)

DeepJapan Editor image

DeepJapan Editor

Hidden gems in Hiroshima and Okayama Prefectures images

Hidden gems in Hiroshima and Okayama Prefectures

Ushimado seaside town, Setouchi City, Okayama“Setonaikai is the Japanese Inland Sea and Setouchi City in Okayama Prefecture faces this beautiful part of the coast in West Japan. When you visit Hiroshima or Himeji Castle, extend your trip and spend some quiet time here. The part of Setouchi call…(513 words)

DeepJapan image

DeepJapan

Kumamon, the Japanese Bear Character of the Kumamoto Prefecture images

Kumamon, the Japanese Bear Character of the Kumamoto Prefecture

Kumamon from Kumamoto Prefecture might be a benchmark for how to bring the genki back to regional areas battling the power drain that comes with ultra-ageing and decreasing populations.I visited the Kumamoto Prefecture Tokyo Representative Office in Nagatacho the other day and “upbeat” is the best …(722 words)

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One of the Most Ancient and Interesting Bridges in Japan images

One of the Most Ancient and Interesting Bridges in Japan

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IeL_cyyKVeMThis is a place steeped in history, pulsing with riveting stories of banished Samurai, castles and the Iwakuni Han. Home to Japan’s naval air force and the US Marines, Iwakuni is where the US and Japan work together to try and keep this part of the wor…(599 words)

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Samurai Spirit in Fukushima images

Samurai Spirit in Fukushima

I always wanted to explore Fukushima so I headed north from Tokyo station for a short ride on the Tohoku Shinkansen Toward Koriyama station. It's only about an hour and half. and is a great way to enjoy a half day trip for a little history and an overnight stay at a nice onsen without exhausting yo…(608 words)

DeepJapan image

DeepJapan

5 Food Streets in Japan - The Paradise for Foodies ! images

5 Food Streets in Japan - The Paradise for Foodies !

1. Dontobori Food StreetAs the landmark of Osaka, Dontobori is not only the shooting location of many Japanese films and plays, but also the famous paradise for foodies in Japan, which is praised as “the No.1 food of Japan.”The most delicious gourmet here is Tokayoki, Okonomiyaki, sushi, frie…(482 words)

Alexlovetravel image

Alexlovetravel

Wear a kimono and transform into a person from Japan’s Edo period images

Wear a kimono and transform into a person from Japan’s Edo period

The Edo period is a familiar historical time period for those who are interested in Japanese history. The Edo period began in the year 1603 and came to an end in the year 1868. The samurai and ninja were prevalent and flourished in Japan during this time period. Tokugawa Ieyasu formed the shogu…(318 words)

DeepJapan Editor image

DeepJapan Editor

Hamamatsuya : Observe Hakone’s Traditional “Yosegi Zaiku” Wood Mosaic Technique images

Hamamatsuya : Observe Hakone’s Traditional “Yosegi Zaiku” Wood Mosaic Technique

osegi Zaiku marquetry, or wood mosaic, originated in Hatajuku in Hakone. The wood mosaic technique is said to have been created here by a man named Nihei Ishikawa in the late Edo period (1800s), and the craft has since been passed down from generation to generation. Hamamatsuya’s president Mr. Ichi…(700 words)

Kanagawa P.G.T.D. image

Kanagawa P.G.T.D.

Exploring the Geopark at Uradome Coast in Tottori images

Exploring the Geopark at Uradome Coast in Tottori

The Uradome Coast in Tottori Prefecture is one of the Geosites that is part of the UNESCO recognized San'in Kaigan Global Geopark, home to a diversity of geological sites related to when Japan was originally part of the Asian continent and the formation of the Sea of Japan. The geopark includes gra…(943 words)

DeepJapan Editor image

DeepJapan Editor

Create the most unforgettable memories: Try aromatic unagi and experience wearing kimono in Narita! images

Create the most unforgettable memories: Try aromatic unagi and experience wearing kimono in Narita!

Wearing "kimono" (Japanese traditional dress) or "yukata" (casual summer kimono) is definitely a must-do in Japan! Recently, I had a chance to have a half-day kimono experience in Narita City, so I’d like to share my experience with you.Get off from JR or Keisei Line Narita Station and walk for…(508 words)

CHIBA-KUN image

CHIBA-KUN

Visit the "Castles" of Past Daimyo, Feudal Lords in Japan images

Visit the "Castles" of Past Daimyo, Feudal Lords in Japan

If you are interested in learning about the Edo Period, I recommend visiting one of the many daimyo yashiki (feudal lord mansions) that can still be found in many parts of Tokyo. During the Edo Period, every feudal lord was forced by the Tokugawa Shogunate (the central government) to build and main…(221 words)

GenS image

GenS