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Author: RoYuMi
Torii – Gates to the Sacred Grounds
You have probably seen Torii in photos from Japan without knowing what they really are. Torii are the entrance gates to Shinto shrines . Not only do they impress us when we look at them, but they also have great significance for shrines as well as Tōrō and other elements of shrine and temple architecture… Read more
The Death Penalty in Japan
As you know, the issue of the death penalty is highly discussed worldwide. There are many countries that throughout their history had capital punishment as part of their judicial system. Little by little some countries have been leaving it behind, however there are some, as is the case of Japan, that still have this penalty… Read more
Yoshiaki Shiraishi – Inventor of “Kaitenzushi”
It took 10 years for Yoshiaki Shiraishi to develop the rotating sushi machine, better known in Japan as “Kaitenzushi”. However, an extra that its inventor was looking for was for everyone to eat delicious and cheap sushi since a typical sushi restaurant costs at least 5,000 yen (40 USD) on average per customer. He thought… Read more
The Presence of the Cat in Japanese Culture
Take a quick look at anything related to Japanese pop culture and you’ll see that Japan loves cats: Hello Kitty, brown Neko, Electronic Cat Ears that respond to your emotional state, etc. But although on the one hand they love them, on the other they are afraid of them or sometimes even a certain disgust… Read more
The Smallest Castle in the World created in Japan
A 0.217mm model of Fukuyama Castle has been created by a precision metal parts manufacturer in that city in western Japan to be as small as the thickness of a strand of hair and with the same exterior design as its original. In Fukuyama, Hiroshima Prefecture, Castem Co. created a 1/170,000 scale miniature model of… Read more
The Black Egg Tradition of Mount Hakone
Just two hours southwest of Tokyo is the Owakudani volcanic valley known as “the boiling valley”. This place was formed when Mount Hakone erupted 3000 years ago, you can still see some puffs of smoke as the volcano is still active. Located at around 1000m high, the main sulfur mine is open to visitors and… Read more
Harusame Noodle Salad
Harusame are the noodles made from potato starch or mung bean starch. Low in calories and excellent for salads and soups. This dish is something we always crave when the weather is warmer because it’s so refreshing and delicious! Preparation: 20 minutes Cooked: 5 mins Chilled: 30 mins Total: 55 minutes Main dish Japanese cuisine… Read more
Kakeibo – The Japanese Art of Saving Money
Modern payment technologies, such as debit cards and one-click payments, have made the physical act of spending money easy, sometimes so easy that it becomes dangerous because, while modern technology is convenient, it can also lead to pointless spending, making it difficult to save. In Japan there is a kind of “tradition” of using a… Read more
Imperial Treasures – Symbols of Japan
Known as the Sanshu no Jingi 三種の神器, the Imperial Treasures of Japan consist of a sword , Kusanagi no Tsurugi (草薙劍), a Yasakani no Magatama jewel (八尺瓊曲玉) and a Yata no Kagami mirror (八汰鏡) which represent the three main virtues of Japan connected to the Buddhist ideal: courage (the sword), wisdom (the mirror) and benevolence… Read more
Calpis – The Summer Drink in Japan
In case you have never heard of Calpis, pronounced Karupisu in Japan, this is a milk-based drink that is highly appreciated in Japan. In other countries, it is marketed as Calpico , given that in English-speaking countries it would be translated as “cow urine”. However, Calpis and Calpico taste exactly the same . This drink… Read more