culture

Featured image for What is Setsubun? Mamemaki? A traditional Bean-Throwing Festival in Japan

What is Setsubun? Mamemaki? A traditional Bean-Throwing Festival in Japan

Jan 25, 2025
BY Selsabil Chebbouba

Visiting Japan in February? We highly recommend you plan your trip in time with Setsubun. This festive holiday packs together tons of Japanese traditions that are still alive today. Let’s discover together what Setsubun is, and what to expect and learn from this event. What […]

Featured image for Mysterious Maneki Neko: Your Good Fortune Friend

Mysterious Maneki Neko: Your Good Fortune Friend

Sep 29, 2024
BY Daniel Louis Jean

Stroll through any bustling street in Japan, and you're likely to catch a glimpse of a charming, paw-raising cat perched at the entrance of a shop or restaurant. This feline friend, known as the Maneki Neko or “Beckoning Cat” in English, is more than just a […]

Featured image for Authentic and Unique Japanese Bread

Authentic and Unique Japanese Bread

Oct 18, 2023
BY Yoshihiro

Having lived in New Zealand for more than four years and travelled to several other countries, I’ve become aware of the kinds of bread that are only available in Japan. Although not a traditional Japanese food, authentic and unique Japanese bread are definitely worth giving a […]

Featured image for GREEN, BLACK, RED, WHITE AND YELLOW — AND MORE: AN OVERVIEW OF TEA

GREEN, BLACK, RED, WHITE AND YELLOW — AND MORE: AN OVERVIEW OF TEA

Aug 25, 2023
BY Jamie Kruse

Most tea lovers know that all tea comes from the same plant - camellia sinensis. Whether you’re drinking green, black (also known as red), oolong, pu-erh, or yellow tea, camellia sinensis is the steeped leaf you are consuming. It can be kind of astonishing to keep […]

Featured image for Kyoto Railway Museum – Experiencing all aspects of railway travel

Kyoto Railway Museum – Experiencing all aspects of railway travel

Jun 5, 2023
BY Yoshihiro

Many inbound tourists and expats are impressed with how reliable the rail services are in Japan. Are you one of them and curious to know even more about the Japanese railway? Or do you simply want to see someplace that’s less crowded than the temples or […]

Featured image for Japan’s Unique Curry: A Reflection of Culture

Japan’s Unique Curry: A Reflection of Culture

Jan 17, 2021
BY Jason Stone

Despite being introduced in Japan within the last two centuries, Japanese curry has become its own dish that is completely different from its peers, and an important and popular food across the nation.

Featured image for Top 10 foods to eat in Okinawa

Top 10 foods to eat in Okinawa

Jun 9, 2019
BY Rae DeFrane

Okinawa is an absolutely beautiful tourist destination. Its turquoise seas, white sand beaches and tropical breezes are a relaxing break from the usual hustle and bustle Japan can bring. Another wonderful thing about Okinawa is the unique and delicious cuisine that it offers to visitors. In this article, let’s dive into the top ten foods you should sample in the south of Japan.

Featured image for A Crash Course on The Japanese Tea Ceremony

A Crash Course on The Japanese Tea Ceremony

Mar 1, 2019
BY Lucy Dayman

Far more than just a way to enjoy delicious matcha tea and sweets, the Japanese tea ceremony is a tradition that goes back to the ninth century. The origins of the ceremony have roots in Zen Buddism, a religious practice introduced from China.

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