We all have heard of the word “Yakuza” but some only have a faint idea of what it really means. The majority of Japanese people are unaware or scared when asked about this word, which has become a taboo, somehow. So, who are they and why does the Japanese society fear them? jp.fotolia.com/ Organized Crime…

Can you tell if a person comes from a specific country just by looking at their initial appearance? Perhaps you look at their hair, their face shape, or their clothes, and you can attempt to make a guess at their country of origin before you hear them speak. Before coming to Japan, I had no…

When it comes to human trafficking, one might usually think of impoverished countries where laws are not enforced and politics are full of corruption. However, many first world countries are in fact important source transportations and destinations when it comes to human trafficking. This can be something that many citizens tends to overlook as they…

Tokyo is a city of many hidden talents, excelling at things people would assume other cities dominated instead. One of the things where Tokyo shines is its luxury hotels’ take on afternoon tea, which puts what other cities around the world offer to shame. Since the menus change each season, here we have the best…

Hatsuyume (初夢) means the first dream of the New Year. It is traditionally believed to foretell the kind of year and luck you will receive for the year ahead. As New Year’s Day (1st of January) is a quiet celebration and people start resuming their regular routines the following day, hatsuyume is the dream you…

Have you ever wondered how Japanese people celebrate Christmas? Well, maybe you haven’t as only less than one percent of Japan’s population is Christian and Christmas is not regarded as a national holiday here, in Japan. Nevertheless, Christmas is one of the largest and most popular holidays around the world and during this period of…

If you are in Japan throughout November or December, it will become obvious to you that Christmas is definitely celebrated here. Department stores and shopping arcades are lined with decorations, parks are lit up with lights and Christmas carols seem to be playing everywhere. Christmas in Japan, however, is not quite the same as Christmas…

In Japan, it is the general custom to pick up some “omiyage”, or “gifts” for your loved ones whenever you visit a different place. It is somewhat similar in other countries, where we encourage the idea that if you go somewhere, particularly a different country, you should buy some kind of gift for your friends…

When someone mentions Japan, what do you initially think of? Think about what first comes to mind when you think about this country. Most people’s reactions seem to be divided into four categories when they hear this word. The first category is “interesting, rich culture”, where people think about things like samurai and ninja culture,…

Japan is the land of many surprises. A lot of people describe the country as “different to what they’re used to” and many unique cultures and customs make it a fascinating country to visit. With the third largest economy in the world and with one of the lowest crime rates, Japan is well known for…