In Japan, the beautiful and enigmatic Geisha represents one of the most iconic cultural images in the country. They have been around since as early as 600 A.D. where they served as entertainers and companions, but the look we can easily recognize today became prominent in the 17th century. Trained in fine arts such as…

The Shimada Cigarette Shop used to be a small cigarette shop in Tokyo which became somewhat of a tourist attraction due to the popularity it gained from its cute and friendly canine shopkeeper, Shiba-chan. Shiba, the Shiba Inu dog, manned the store window every day where he had been trained to greet customers by opening…

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…

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…

Sugoroku is a Japanese board game which has become a tradition for kids to play during the New Year’s Day. Usually children’s magazines would include additions to the game in their January issues. The history of Sugoroku can be traced back to the 12th century. In the 17th century, e-sugoroku (“e” meaning picture) which is…

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,…

With the Gion Festival happening in July, many people would surely visit Kyoto during the summer season. However, the summer heat in Kyoto is not mild, so here are 11 places around the area where you can avoid the heat and enjoy your vacation at the same time! 1. Arashiyama Bamboo Grove Author’s photo This…

The Gion Festival, locally known as Gion Matsuri, is one of the most important festivals in Kyoto. With a history of more than 650 years, this festival originated as a part of the purification ritual to appease the god that caused plagues, earthquakes, etc. Author’s photo Today, the Gion Festival continues to be held annually…

Summer in Japan is mostly about festivals. In Tohoku alone, more than 10 summer festivals are celebrated! Sounds fascinating, doesn’t it? Here are some of the best summer festivals in Tohoku that you should not miss. Quick! Jot down the details! 1. Hachinohe Sansha Taisai A float procession, portable shrines, and a tiger dance –…

In case you did not know, Kyoto’s biggest annual festival, Gion Matsuri, is actually held throughout the whole month of July, with the main parade falling on the 17th. Here is a complete guide to the one-month Gion Festival so that you don’t miss out on the fun! July 1 to 5 From the 1st…