When you think of traditional Japanese culture, one of the first images that probably comes to mind is a beautiful…
Lucia TsujiguchiSeptember 8, 2021
The legendary island of Enoshima (江ノ島) is just a stone’s throw away (or one hour by train) from Tokyo, and…
Cherise FongAugust 31, 2021
As Japan’s second-largest city, Yokohama (横浜) is best known for bridging past, present, and future with its historical gardens and…
Cherise FongAugust 31, 2021
It was impossible to avoid cyberpunk or sci-fi evocations while standing in front of the legendary Nakagin Capsule Tower. It…
Toshiko SakuraiAugust 27, 2021
Just as with face-to-face interactions, standard telephone exchanges in Japan follow a formal code of politeness. This is when you…
Marie BorgersAugust 24, 2021
The famous "Japanese Archipelago" periphrase speaks volumes about the country's geography. Apart from the four main islands of Hokkaido, Honshu,…
Marie BorgersAugust 20, 2021
A samurai on the run. A distraught courtesan. A relentless fox. History and folk tales collide on stage, where a…
Toshiko SakuraiAugust 18, 2021
In 2015, Japan decided to lower the legal age of adulthood from 20 to 18 years old. But this threshold…
Marie BorgersAugust 17, 2021
Japan is the country of origin of Pokémon and has been part of Japanese culture for me since I was…
Claudia MitsuboriAugust 10, 2021
How many video game franchises have worldwide International Championships to their credit? How many hold annual parades starring their most…
Toshiko SakuraiAugust 10, 2021
In August 1945, the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki endured two of the most deadly attacks in history. Each hosting…
Manon ChauvrisAugust 5, 2021
Knowing a few basic Japanese words and holding a conversation can be very helpful in Japan, especially in a country…
Marie BorgersJuly 27, 2021
While Japan is a food lover's paradise, there is no universal agreement on what foods people will eat. Some visitors…
Todd FongJuly 12, 2021
Japan may be the world’s third-largest economy and a pioneer in technology, but its population is shrinking. What are the…
Marie BorgersJuly 6, 2021
While there’s an ongoing debate about the possibility of introducing vaccination passports to deal with COVID-19, many people begin to…
Toshiko SakuraiJuly 2, 2021
You'd have to have been hiding under a rock in 2016 not to have heard of Your Name (君の名は, Kimi…
Toshiko SakuraiJuly 1, 2021
Ten years after a monstrous tsunami devastated the Pacific coast of Tohoku (東北) on March 11, 2011, it’s still a…
Cherise FongJune 17, 2021
Japan is known for its beautiful juxtaposition of the old vs new, with traditional architecture scattered amidst city skyscrapers. Every…
Lia YewJune 13, 2021
Greetings and manners are especially important at business meetings in Japan. Be sure to observe the proper etiquette when exchanging…
VoyaponJune 11, 2021
The city of Kofu (甲府市), located in the northeast of Yamanashi Prefecture, is known for its deep nature and its…
Manon ChauvrisJune 9, 2021
A quick look at manners in Japan, including daily greetings and how to bow properly to show respect at different…
VoyaponJune 2, 2021
Mount Fuji (富士山, Fujisan), Japan’s largest mountain and arguably its most famous symbol stand at 3,776 metres. Being snow-capped for…
Jonathan ReeveJune 1, 2021
Japan is home to some of the world’s greatest street food — it’s hardly a secret to anyone interested in the…
Abigail SmathersMay 20, 2021
At the boundaries of the Japanese archipelago, Hokkaido (北海道), whose kanji means “Path to the Northern Sea” is the northernmost…
Marie BorgersMay 14, 2021
It is undeniable that manga is one of the most popular Japanese cultural phenomena inside and outside the country. Throughout…
Lucia TsujiguchiMay 13, 2021
Situated in the west of the Japanese Alps, in the north of Gifu prefecture, the Hida (飛騨) region is home…
Marie BorgersApril 30, 2021
Surrounded by a rich natural environment in the heart of the Japanese Alps, the historical district of Takayama (高山) perpetuates…
Marie BorgersApril 30, 2021
