Luck. That single word has come to define what many individuals, groups, and cultures want. There are expressions to wish good luck upon someone, and phrases that attribute one’s achievements to luck. Essentially, people want good luck, and multiple countries and cultures will regard certain items as charms that will bring good fortune to those…

Finding and buying Omiyage (souvenirs in Japanese) is just one unmissable aspect of any trip to a new country. During your trip to Japan, you will notice there are a lot of shops where you can buy souvenirs. You may feel a little bit lost with all the choices on offer in those shops. Here…

To some people, Gunma (群馬) is only a prefecture you go through to get to somewhere else. To others, it’s purely an onsen spot. Yet, Gunma is so much more than hot springs and highways. It is an untapped treasure steeped in history and most importantly, it is home to the fabled Daruma (達磨)! What…

Daruma dolls are famous in Japan as good luck charms. At the beginning of every year, many Japanese return or burn their old Daruma dolls and get new ones. The famous Jindaiji temple in Chofu, Tokyo, conducts a large Daruma Doll Festival from March 3-4 where you can buy daruma dolls for 2016. The Festival…

Throughout any journey across Japan, many visitors will likely come across the Daruma doll. Typically small and red, they are oval shaped dolls sporting a wide-eyed look of surprise. There are many variations of Daruma and one will also find that different regions have applied their own unique look and feel to the doll. Of…