The Shiba Inu gained popularity around the world due to the story of the loyal dog, Hachiko, whose statue has become one of the most important meeting points in Shibuya among both locals and foreigners. However, Hachiko was actually an Akita breed, but the Shiba Inu also gained popularity from that story because both the…

Palmistry is an ancient practice that was present in many civilizations throughout history, from Persia to Babylonia. To this date, many people hold a firm belief in fortune teller, and Japan is not exception. If one strolls places like the areas around Shinjuku Station at night, they will likely several palm readers’ booths. In Japan,…

The unique practice of ohaguro is a very traditional dyeing process in Japan whereby teeth are dyed black. Of course, this practice has all but died out now, and nowadays people both in Japan and around the world wish for the whitest teeth they can get. Teeth whitening is a normal process and an increasingly…

Have you ever heard someone from Japan tell someone esle, particularly a foreigner, that their face was very small, often with a tone of jealousy and admiration? For those coming from Western countries, this might seem like a very strange and confusing comment that is difficult to discern. If you were told that your face…

Perhaps there are no other countries in the world that are as full of social rules than Japan. If you have a certain general knowledge about Japan or if you have been to Japan before, I am sure that you know that people tend to line up on one side of escalators (typically on the…

Japan is well known as a source of weird and quirky stuff, and its fruits are no exception. Despite its 4 seasons standard of the North Hemisphere of the world, there are still unique plants native to Japan. In addition, there are the fruits that everyone knows, but Japan has put their own twist on…

Cherry blossom and plum blossom trees are iconic for their pink(ish) flowers and are deeply rooted in culture especially in Japan, Korea, and China. Plum blossoms, however, are less significant in Japan when compared to cherry blossoms. However, originally it was plum blossom that were admired and celebrated in the royal court of Japan and…

Everybody loves snacks, and it’s no secret that there is a huge variety to choose from when it comes to sweets, potato chips, fruit, and more. Japan is not only famous for its mouth-watering savory food such as sushi, tempura, ramen, soba noodles, yakitori, and okonomiyaki, but also for its unique and fancy snacks that…

Thereare a lot of firsts that are important to Japanese people in the new year – the first visit to a shrine, the first sunrise, and even the first dream! Hatsuyume (初夢) literally means the first dream of the New Year. It is traditionally believed it foretells the kind of year and luck you will…

Christmas is coming soon, so what are the songs in your Christmas playlist? Are they the same as last year and the years before? Aren’t you bored of listening to the same Christmas songs every year? Why not try listening to Japanese Christmas songs for a change? These Japanese classics have a different sound, and…