CultureThings to Know Greetings Tips: How to Introduce Yourself in Japanese Greetings and manners are especially important at business meetings in Japan. Be sure to observe the proper etiquette when exchanging…Kelly NagataJune 11, 2021
CultureThings to Know How to Say Hello and Goodbye in Japanese A quick look at manners in Japan, including daily greetings and how to bow properly to show respect at different…Kelly NagataJune 2, 2021
CultureThings to Know Addressing someone in Japanese without using “You” Addressing someone in Japanese is a bit complicated, as honorific titles or suffixes will have to be used accordingly and…Kelly NagataSeptember 5, 2020
CultureThings to Know How to Say Thank You in Japanese – Not Just “Arigatou” Saying thank you in Japanese can be more than a simple "arigatou". You can either add more words to it…Kelly NagataApril 7, 2020
CultureThings to Know Itadakimasu and Gochisousama – Learn Japanese Manners "Itadakimasu" and "Gochisousama" are more than just good wishes for your meal in Japanese.Kelly NagataApril 4, 2020
CultureEvents Hina Matsuri: A Day of Celebration For Girls During Hinamatsuri literally “doll’s celebration”) beautiful ornamental dolls are displayed in Japan's household to celebrate the good fortune of girls.Kelly NagataMarch 2, 2020
FoodKansai Lunch at Kobe Shushinkan, A Renowned Nada Sake Brewery Kobe Shushinkan Brewery (神戸酒心館) is one of the favorite places that I like to show visiting friends and family. Situated…Kelly NagataApril 9, 2017
CultureSightseeing Mikage, Kobe – Granite, Luxury Real Estate and Ghibli Mikage, Kobe, is a quiet neighborhood that has been historically known for production of granite, or "Mikage-ishi" in Japanese. The…Kelly NagataJuly 30, 2016
CultureFood Everyday Recipe: Gyuudon The fierce competition between gyuudon chains and their aggressive expansion in Japan have made gyuudon, or “beef rice bowl,” a…Kelly NagataJune 27, 2016
Food Shougayaki Recipe, Try Japanese Home Cooking! Shougayaki: Delicious Japanese Dishes Shougayaki (しょうが焼き) is no stranger to the Japanese’s dinner tables – be it at home, in…Kelly NagataJune 16, 2016
Culture Learn Japanese – “Genki” aka the Source of Well-Being and Energy Flow of One’s Inner Universe This article takes a deeper look into the Japanese word of "genki", a concept that can be traced back to…Kelly NagataMay 17, 2016
Culture “Otsukaresama” – Learn Japanese: The Magical Phrase for Everything! Say Otsukaresama, or "you are tired", anytime during the day to colleagues, to show your appreciation for their hard work.Kelly NagataMay 16, 2016
CultureEvents Kodomo no Hi: Carps, Beewort and Samurai Spirit Kodomo no Hi (こどもの日), or Children’s Day, is celebrated annually on May 5 in Japan, where streaming koinoboris symbolize courage…Kelly NagataMay 5, 2016
Culture Hard To Say “I’m Sorry” – 8 Ways to Apologize in Japanese Apologizing in Japanese is more than just "sumimasen". This article looks at how to say sorry in varied degrees of…Kelly NagataMay 2, 2016
CultureFood Daily Japanese Diet and The Concept of “One Soup and Three Dishes” "One soup and three dishes" is a Japanese way of viewing daily diet and is in the heart of Washoku,…Kelly NagataApril 6, 2016
ActivitiesCultureThings to Know Hanami Manners: Do’s and Don’ts of Cherry Blossom Viewing in Japan Spring means cherry blossoms and ohanami parties in Japan, but what are the rules we need to know while enjoying…Kelly NagataApril 6, 2016
FoodKansai Makino Tempura Restaurant, A Hidden Gem in Kobe Hidden in the basement of the Center Plaza mall in Sannomiya, Makino has become a no-brainer go-to when it comes…Kelly NagataMarch 7, 2016
ActivitiesFoodKansaiPop CultureShoppingSightseeing Kobe Anpanman Children’s Museum and Mall Anpanman is a beloved children’s character in Japan. Apart from the merchandise found throughout Japan, there is also a museum…Kelly NagataMarch 6, 2016
FoodKansai Akashiyaki: Looks Like Takoyaki, But It’s Not Takoyaki Round, eggy, fluffy, with octopus pieces inside – akashiyaki might look very much like takoyaki, but looks are deceiving you.Kelly NagataMarch 2, 2016
ActivitiesFoodKansaiSightseeing Kobe Kounan Muko-no-Sato Kounanzuke Pickles Museum Pickles can give insights into how the locals lived, so you can imagine my delight when I chanced upon a…Kelly NagataFebruary 29, 2016
ActivitiesFoodKansaiSightseeing Nada Gogou, a prime sake producing region Did you know Kobe is home to one of the largest sake producing regions in Japan? Nada Gogou is a…Kelly NagataFebruary 24, 2016
CultureFood Otsumami: choose the right food to go with your drink The food you eat as you have an alcoholic drink at restaurants or at home in Japan is known as…Kelly NagataFebruary 22, 2016
ActivitiesCultureFood Ehoumaki, the alternative sushi for Setsubun’s festival Eating mamemaki during Setsubun is a well-known Japanese custom, but for those from Kansai ehoumaki is preffered to welcome the…Kelly NagataFebruary 3, 2016
ActivitiesCultureEvents Setsubun: Expelling Demons and Bringing in the New Year’s Good Luck! Many Japanese may recall their childhood memories of mamemaki. While chanting “Evil out! Luck in!” beans are scattered around the…Kelly NagataFebruary 3, 2016
ActivitiesCultureEventsKansaiSightseeing Catching a glimpse of the giant tuna at Touka-Ebisu Festival The annual Touka-Ebisu festival at Nishinomiya Jinja in Kobe celebrates the new year by offering a gaint tuna to the…Kelly NagataFebruary 3, 2016