Hinamatsuri, also known as Girls’ Day or the Doll Festival, is celebrated in Japan on March 3rd. Hina（雛）comes from the word O-hina-sama (お雛様), meaning a lady doll. This ancient tradition…
Kagoshima might be far from the usual itineraries due to its distance from the main cities, but for me, this is definitely a point in its favor. Famous for crafts like…
Deep maening, structure and use of the kanji 謝 that expresses gratefulness and sorry, key apsects of Japanese culture. The Japanese language reveals many traits of Japanese culture. Learning kanji,…
A tetsubin is a traditional Japanese cast iron kettle used exclusively for boiling water. Initially used for tea ceremonies, a similar craft arrived in Japan through Buddhism from China. Nowadays,…
The Shisa of Okinawa are more than decorations; they are protectors, storytellers, and symbols of the island's cultural identity. A mix of lion and dog, these statues stand guard over…
Introduction to Funabashi Funabashi is a vibrant, mainly residential city in Chiba province, just next to Tokyo. However you can find traditional and historical Japan in the untouched backstreets, full…
Wabi-sabi principles The concept of wabi-sabi has gained considerable traction in recent years; entire books are dedicated to this philosophy. In brief, wabi-sabi is finding beauty in imperfection, simplicity, and…
In Japan, there are two types of traditional fans: the uchiwa (which we will cover here) and the sensu. The first is round and flat, while the second is foldable…
Decorating our house with Japanese style homeware can add a touch of elegance and serenity. Not only for those who travelled or lived in Japan, but also for those wishing…
Many agree that autumn in Japan is the best season. The heat of the summer is gone and you can walk outside in pleasant weather, dry and sunny. One of…