If you have ever climbed to the top of a mountain and wished that there would be a vending machine available to provide some nice warm tea for you to more properly enjoy the view, then you will certainly appreciate the convenience of Japan’s vending machines. At the top of Japan’s highest and most famous [...]
In the northern part of Japan is an island called “Hokkaido” and its capital city is “Sapporo”. Hokkaido is especially known for its spectacular forests and other natural features. Hokkaido is only a little smaller than Ireland and the island is connected to Japan’s main island of “Honshu”by a tunnel which runs underwater. It, [...]
There is probably nothing quite like a Samurai epic to put one into a traditional Japanese mood. The classics of one Japanese director, in particular, are a favorite which has inspired famous Western film makers in the making of their own movies, many of which are now considered international classics in their own right.
You [...]
Are you curious about modern Japanese culture or are you perhaps even planning a stay in Japan soon? One thing that is an obvious aspect of any modern society is its style of television entertainment. The majority of Japan’s television entertainment, meaning anything that is not news or educational programming, is comprised of the following [...]
One of the things that usually surprise many people during their first stay in Japan is just how prominent a figure the young Japanese woman in a school uniform is in popular media. It is certainly rather unavoidable to notice how truly appreciated and admired the adorably uniformed girls of the nation truly are. Since [...]
“Obon” (pronounced oh-bone) is a very special time of year in Japan, and consists most notably of some very special festivals. Also known simply as “Bon”, this holiday is based around a Buddhist custom honoring loved ones and family members who have already passed away. The spirits of one’s ancestral lineage are a very important [...]
Are you soon planning a stay in Japan and perhaps wondering if there are any tips for saving some money while still seeing as much of Japan as you possibly can? If you are in such a preparatory phase, or are possibly even just hoping to be as informed as possible about travel inside Japan [...]
One interesting thing that most people planning a stay in Japan should certainly be aware of is that, in Japanese society, people’s public and private activities are practically considered to be separate worlds. This is immediately evident with the rather extreme example of the public display of affection in Japan. People simply do not kiss [...]
There is a certain combination of red and silver that can be seen throughout Japan, often appearing rather subliminally in everything from the design of public buses to the graphics on soda cans, that is synonymous with a famous icon of Japanese pop culture known in English as “Ultraman”. A hero of more than just [...]
Are you are soon planning a stay in one of the many metropolises of Japan, or perhaps studying about modern Japanese society for a class in school? Perhaps you are simply intrigued by the unique aspects of modern Japanese culture and are learning as much about it as you can so that you may better [...]
If you are like most people who didn’t grow up speaking and reading Japanese, at some point seeing Japanese writing has likely made you simply stare in awe and wonder about what exactly is going on in a Japanese sentence. It is not surprising considering the relatively ridiculous complexity involved in the written Japanese language. [...]
Mount Fuji is a memorably wonderful and popular destination for both the Japanese and also international tourists. Every year thousands of people make the pilgrimage to its summit. Around one third of those who annually climb this massive mountain are tourists visiting Japan. Let’s look at some of the reasons why Mount Fuji is so [...]
“Domo arigato Mr. Roboto” is a famous line from a now classic pop song popular in the West. This song, though ironically rather unheard of in Japan, actually is the only popular song of its kind which uses a Japanese chorus as its hook. This is an interesting coincidence because the first robots in the [...]
If you have been paying any attention whatsoever to the fashion trends of women or children over the past couple of decades, there is one particularly Japanese icon that will likely stand out like a beacon of cute in the memory of most who have witnessed its adorable design. By “it”, we actually mean “her” [...]
Do you love to sing? Do you also occasionally love being in a more intimate limelight with friends rather than on your own band’s tour of the world’s most popular stadium venues? Yes, the life of a pop star can be busy and having someplace to get your close friends and colleagues together for a [...]
Are you are soon planning a stay in the wonderful country of Japan or possibly already in the “Land of the Rising Sun”? Are you possibly studying about Japanese language and culture for a class in school or maybe even just brushing up on a little Japanese as a personal hobby? If so, then there [...]
In any country you may travel to there are basic things to know that can be truly helpful in facilitating your basic daily functionality in a society which may be somewhat unique to your prior experiences. Japan is certainly no exception in this way. There are many basic things which are helpful to know prior [...]
There are many things to consider in preparation for a stay in a new country, and those matters concerning the monetary side are likely of rather high importance. Making sure you can easily access your accounts and do your banking in an easy and efficient manner is truly priceless when visiting a new place. Let’s [...]
Do you simply love the art and philosophy of Japanese Zen? Have you ever wondered about its history and how it came to be such a unique expression of pure simplicity now so ubiquitous in many aspects of life in Japan today? If you are perhaps curious about the history of Japanese Zen culture and [...]
