Matsuyama, Japan is a destination full of connections. Located in Ehime prefecture in Shikoku, it’s a place where striking up a conversation with a stranger at the train station is commonplace, and someone tapping you on the shoulder and offering you a mikan (mandarin), the prefecture’s renowned fruit, as a currency of kindness, is just […]
Asia/Oceania
Shichi-go-san: Japan’s celebration of kids aged 7 5 3
Shichi-go-san (七五三) is a Japanese festival held annually in November. Shichi-go-san literally means ‘7 5 3′ and celebrates the health and longevity of girls aged 3 and 7, and boys aged 5. It’s an important rite of passage for young children and is an occasion for the whole family to get dressed up, go the […]
Halloween in Japan is unlike anywhere else (where to celebrate in Tokyo)
If you’ve seen recent photos of Halloween in Japan, you might be surprised to learn that Halloween has really only become “a thing” here over the past several years. When we moved to Japan going on a decade ago, there weren’t the huge street parties or number of parades there are now. Halloween was more […]
Japan’s Tori-no-Ichi: The Rooster Market That Sells Rakes
The Tori-no-Ichi (酉の市 – rooster market) is an open-air fair that takes place annually on the ‘Days of the Rooster’ in November according to the Chinese zodiac. On the days of the event, festival-goers visit temples of the Rooster, notably Juzaisan Chokoku-ji Temple in Asakusa, or shrines of the Washi (Eagle) to ask for good […]
Blood Type Personality: What does your blood type say about you?
Strike up a conversation in a bar or head out to a dinner party in Japan and the likelihood is that the conversation will, at some point, steer towards blood type (ketsuekigata 血液型). Foreigners are sometimes perplexed about this Japanese fascination with blood type, which is often used as small talk when meeting someone for […]
5 Breathtaking Things to do in Yakushima, Japan’s natural wonder
Yakushima may be a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but it’s still one of Japan’s best-kept secrets. Located just south of Kyushu mainland, this island full of natural wonders really has to be seen to be believed. Here are 5 things to do in Yakushima that are an absolute must! See the magnificent Yakusugi Yakushima cedar […]
Some no Komichi: Experience Tokyo’s River of Kimono Silks
The Some no Komichi is a three-day event held in late February showcasing traditional Japanese textile dyeing techniques. The event is held in Shinjuku’s Ochiai and Nakai area, the center of Tokyo’s traditional dyeing industry and is a nod to the town’s rich cultural heritage. The Some no Komichi 2018 will be held on 23-25 […]
So, how can we overcome “amusement park syndrome”?
When I wrote ‘Yes, Japan is unique, but it’s not your fantasy land‘ last week, I wasn’t sure of the response it would get. I mean, I write a lot of things about Japan and, honestly, it’s surprising sometimes which posts are popular and which ones aren’t. I’m sure I’m not alone in a sense […]
11 easy ways to stay warm on your trip to Japan in winter
Staying warm in Japan in winter can be a challenge. The country’s chilly winters often take people by surprise and subsequently leave them unprepared. Temperatures generally range from single digits to low teens, although this varies greatly from south to north. You can expect milder temperatures in tropical Okinawa to the south and frigid sub-zero […]