Tsunami (津波). Literally, wave (波) in the harbour (津). The fact this Japanese word is the universal term used nowadays…
Toshiko SakuraiSeptember 28, 2021
In everyday life in Japan, Arabic numerals (1,2,3...) are widely used, but each number still has its own Kanji character…
Marie BorgersSeptember 13, 2021
It’s often said that music knows no borders. It’s a universal language understood all over the world and capable of…
Lucia TsujiguchiSeptember 8, 2021
In Okinawan dialect, yachimun (やちむん) means pottery. Its history dates back hundreds of years when the islands were still the…
Lucia TsujiguchiSeptember 8, 2021
When I think about Okinawa, the first word that comes to mind is "paradise". Its turquoise blue ocean contrasts with…
Lucia TsujiguchiSeptember 8, 2021
Handmade pottery is one of the oldest crafts in Japan. It’s a combination of art and tradition that reflects Japanese…
Lucia TsujiguchiSeptember 8, 2021
Like many of the traditional crafts of the ancient Ryukyu Kingdom (琉球王国), Okinawan glass is also part of a story…
Lucia TsujiguchiSeptember 8, 2021
If you've ever been to Japan, you've probably found yourself browsing the okashi (お菓子 Japanese snacks and sweets) area in…
Lucia TsujiguchiSeptember 8, 2021
Japanese cuisine is world-famous, but there is much more food to try than sushi, ramen, or tempura. Japan's varied landscape…
Lucia TsujiguchiSeptember 8, 2021
When you think of traditional Japanese culture, one of the first images that probably comes to mind is a beautiful…
Lucia TsujiguchiSeptember 8, 2021
When you travel a lot by train in Japan, it can get quite expensive, especially if you want to use…
Claudia MitsuboriSeptember 3, 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
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
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
Greetings and manners are especially important at business meetings in Japan. Be sure to observe the proper etiquette when exchanging…
VoyaponJune 11, 2021
A quick look at manners in Japan, including daily greetings and how to bow properly to show respect at different…
VoyaponJune 2, 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
Here's our guide on how to use Japanese yen, where to exchange your foreign currency, and how to use the…
Claudia MitsuboriApril 23, 2021
There are two majority religions in Japan, Shinto and Buddhism, which are part of Japanese people's daily lives. Religion and…
Gaël FaulconnierApril 17, 2021
What time is it in Japan, the land of the rising sun? What is the time difference between its neighbors…
Marie BorgersApril 14, 2021
On Saturday, October 12, 2019, Typhoon Hagibis made landfall in central Japan. Outlets such as Japan Broadcasting Corporation (NHK) had…
Richard MilnerApril 12, 2021
