Myths and legends are common things in Japan. From city origins to shrine deities, the country has rich stories for how things came about, where they are from, and what they mean for modern Japan. Animals are no exception. In fact, they are highly revered by the Japanese, to the point that they build shrines…

On the western side of Kyoto’s Imperial Palace lies a Shinto Shrine known as ‘Goo Shrine’. It enshrines Wake no Kiyomaro, a high-ranking Japanese official of the Nara period. It is guarded by boar statues which are believed to protect him. There is a good story behind all this, let’s dig deeper into it! Wake…

Japan is a great country full of rich history, futuristic innovation, world-class food, spectacular landscapes, and ancient traditions that have stood the test of time. If someone mentions Japan, no doubt it conjures up many images in your mind. This may include Mt. Fuji, cherry blossom season, the towering skyscrapers of Tokyo, or perhaps even…