People consider it quite exotic to see their names written in foreign characters. Any touristic place you go to, you will see dozens waiting in line to have their names imprinted on local artifacts in different alphabets. Now, it’s super easy to this, thanks to Google Translate. If you just click on the following link and enter […]
How to Write Your Name in Japanese Read More »
You know Japan has a very unique culture and that also applies to Valentine’s Day ( バレンタイン) as well. First of all, unlike many other countries, most people buy chocolate as a gift instead of all other possible gifts (e.g. perfume, jewelry, etc.) What’s more usually only girls buy a gift and boys just accept the gifts.
Valentine’s Day In Japan ( バレンタイン) Read More »
Japanese Food Unlike most other countries, Japanese food must be beautifully displayed as well as tasty so Japanese cooks take great care in arranging food on the table. Rice, the primary dish, is prepared in many different ways. The Japanese eat rice cakes, rice crackers, and mix rice in various dishes with red beans, fish,
The third Monday of September in Japan is celebrated as Respect for the Aged Day (敬老の日). This day is also called the red day but it is because in Japanese calendar holidays are printed in red ink. With a population of more than 30% elderly or people who are older than 60, Respect for the aged
Respect for the Aged Day in Japan: 3rd Monday of September Red Day Read More »
Oyaji Gyagu means Old man’s joke. It is a pun type of joke that involves playing with words which most of the time is about using similar sounding words with different meanings. Dajare can be any type of verbal joke not necessarily oyaji gyagu (substitution of a Japanese word with another similar sounding word but
Japanese Culture 101 Oyaji Gyagu (Old Man’s Joke) a.k.a. Dajare 親父ギャグ だじゃれ Read More »
NITTO Kagaku, A Japanese manufacturer that produces various products ranging from dental care tools to chemical equipment, introduced this gadget that teaches children the ideal way of biting and chewing certain types of foods. The idea behind the invention was the poor chewing habits of young kids which later in life causes various health problems.
New Japanese Gadget Teaches Children How to Eat Read More »
Many people who are familiar with Japanese culture would know what obon is. For the ones who don’t know about the term, very basically Obon is 1-a 3-day Buddhist holiday to honor the passed spirits. Obon is usually during the 2nd week of August .(In the past it was the 2nd week of the 7th month in
An Obon Afternoon in Kiyomizu Dera Read More »
Though not many people know, most bento’s are prepared in a way that make them easier to be eaten by kids. In Japanese culture, it’s the children’s duty to eat o bento. Dr. Alison, an antropologist at the Colorado University wrote this more than 20 years ago: “O bentos are boxed lunches Japanese mothers make
Bento Boxes: O Bento in Japanese Culture Read More »
1- Like many collectivistic cultures and Asian countries, In Japan, family names come first before the given name. 2- Usually there are no middle names in Japanese 3- When witing in latin alphabet (Romaji) the Japanese write given name first. 4- Most Japanese last names are derived from nature such as river (kawa), mountain (moto),
Japanese Names and Names in Japanese : The way Names are Written Read In Japan Read More »
People consider it to be quite exotic to see their names written in foreign characters. Any touristic place you go to, you will see dozens waiting in line to have their names imprinted on local artifacts in different alphabets. Now, it’s super easy to this, thanks to Google Translate. If you just click on the following link
How to write your name in Japanese Read More »
Every year Japanese people celebrate the Tanabata Festival during the summer. The story behind Tanabata is the romantic meeting of 2 stars. There is one female star, Orihime, and one male star Hikoboshi. They only get to meet once a year because they are separated by the Milky Way. But when they meet, between them
The three major local festivals are Gion Matsuri in Kyoto, Tenjin Matsuri in Osaka, and Kanda Matsuri in Tokyo. Every year about 460,000 people attend Gion Matsuri, 1,100,000 people attend Tenjin Matsuri and 300,000 people attend Kanda Matsuri.
Three Major Japanese Festivals Read More »
Japanese castles, the symbols of Japanese heritage, can be found all over Japan. Originally, the castles were samurai’s residences, and the military strongholds that protected towns against the enemy. The oldest castle was constructed in 664 AD, but Most of the castles standing today are constructed between the Sengoku Period and the Edo period. Among many, four
Japanese Castles, Jo Read More »
People who travel to Japan always wanted to visit hot springs which are called “onsen” in Japanese. Many believe that hot springs are good for health and give a relaxed feeling to the body.The Japanese like bathing in hot springs in all seasons, even during the winter… The open-air hot springs are called Rotenburo. People get
Hot Springs in Japan,Onsen Read More »
Japan holds many regional festivals which are called “matsuri.” The original meaning of the word is “respect to God.” Matsuri is usually held in the Shinto shrine. The participants remember the ancestors, express their gratitude for god and wish for success in business and health. People carry Mikoshi and Danjiri, and dance. Spectators can enjoy Japanese
Matsuri, Japanese Festival Read More »
Level: Advanced. Please check Japanese Culture for simpler, basic information. Japanese Communication Style Self-Conception Interdependent (e.g., I belong to… statements) Ingroup/Outgroup boundary Strict (Company, school, circle, family members are treated very differently) Wa (Harmony) Omnipresent Enryo (Conformity) High (Self-deprecating statements are encouraged, harmony requires conformity) Context Effects High Context/Implicit (e.g. Do you think it is
Japanese Communication Style, Do Japanese Communicate Differently? Read More »
Japan geography and nature Japan is a collection of over three thousand islands. Imagine having to remember the names of all of those! These islands are in the Pacific Ocean, off the coast of Asia. Most of Japan is made up of forest and mountains, and because of how steep a lot of these parts
About Japan – Population, nature, cities, flag, food, and much more! Read More »
Songs for Japan The whole world was shocked when the tragic earthquake, followed by the massive tsunami hit Northern Japan on March 11, 2011. The big four record labels (EMI, Universal, Sony and Varner) agreed to create a compilation of an album and donate all the revenues to Tohoku victims. Most of the songs in this
Songs 4 Japan, Songs for Japan Album Videos Read More »
Hey there, こんにちは。May 5th has always been celebrated as the Children’s Day in Japan (Kodomo no hi こどものひ also known as 端午の節句). To mark this day, many Japanese families raise fish shaped flags (koinobori こいのぼり). As you can see in the picture, there are more than a few black and red carps the because black
Today is Children’s Day in Japan Read More »
