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Category: Daily Life
Mother’s Day in Japan – Haha no Hi (母の日)
Haha no Hi (母の日), as this day is known in Japanese, is celebrated on the second Sunday of May each year. This day was chosen to celebrate it in honor of Ann Jarvis, a social activist during and after the American Civil War and who is recognized as the founder of Mother’s Day. On this… Read more
Shoji – Sliding Paper Doors in Japan
Perhaps you have seen in a movie or anime , even on your visit to Japan in a temple , these sliding doors which in Japan are called Shōji. These doors are used to divide spaces between rooms, making a space more intimate with a single movement of the doors. And on the other hand,… Read more
Noren – Traditional cloth dividers in Japan
Noren (暖簾) are traditional Japanese cloth dividers that are hung between rooms, walls, doors, or windows. They generally have one or more vertical slits cut from the bottom to near the top of the fabric, allowing for easier passage or display. Noren are rectangular and come in different materials, sizes, colors, and patterns. Noren are… Read more
Yogetsu Akasaka – Buddhist Monk changing the perception of Spiritual Music
Yogetsu Akasaka is a Japanese Zen Buddhist monk who creates meditation music. But not the kind most people are familiar with. In the videos he uploads to YouTube, he stands in the middle of a white background, picks up a microphone and plays a loop machine. This practicing monk and music lover has amassed tens… Read more
Fūrin – Wind Chimes
You have probably seen them in the manga or heard them in the anime, the fūrin are an important part of the very particular sounds of summer in Japan. These wind chimes ( fū風 means ” wind ” and rin鈴 means ” bell “) are hung outside or near windows and people enjoy the soothing… Read more
Ohashi – Chopsticks for eating in Japan
Known as ” Ohash i” or ” hash i” (in Japanese 箸), chopsticks are the most used food utensil in Japan since they are used to eat any type of ingredient or food: udon, ramen, meat, salad, rice, etc. etc. Like many other things, ohashi came to Japan via China. They are usually made of… Read more
How to Attend an Onsen in Japan
Going to an Onsen in Japan can seem like a very complicated experience: the language, the manners, the cultural differences… But fear not! Everyone goes to the onsen to relax and have a good time, so the atmosphere is very calm and surely other people will seek to help them. Anyway, it is a good… Read more
Hanami – An experience you must have in Japan
If you’ve ever been to Japan during the early spring season, chances are you’ve made your trips especially to see the mesmerizing cherry blossoms, better known in Japanese as “Sakura.” Sakura season is one of the things Japan’s most captivating, however, as this event only lasts for about two weeks (usually from late March to… Read more
Onsen 温泉 – A Relaxing Experience
Onsen or hot spring baths are a type of bathing and relaxation facility in Japan. The water comes from natural sources heated geothermally, which is often attributed healing characteristics due to its mineral content. (You can watch the video of this post or continue reading below) Originally, they were outside, although it is common to… Read more
A flower for each month of the year in Japan
Japan is not only famous for its futuristic cities, but also for its natural beauty. Every year, hundreds of Flower Festivals are held throughout the country. Although the most famous is the cherry blossom ” Sakura ” which blooms towards the end of March and beginning of April and when people gather for the well-known… Read more