Hiroko Matsuyama
Basic Japanese conversation phrases can help you go through most situations in Japan. Once you learn the expressions we’ve listed here, you will handle situations easily. Being a good listener and humble are keys...
60+ Useful Japanese Phrases
Useful Japanese phrases can make you feel closer to the Japanese natives. You might already know essential words and want some useful phrases in the next step. Fine! You’ve come to the right place. You can find...
200+ Common Japanese Words
Wanna know some common Japanese words to grasp an image of the Japanese language? We have picked 200+ common Japanese words that include nouns and conjunctions you can use immediately in conversation. You don’t...
Kamon the Avant-garde: Interview with Japanese Family Crest Artisans
Kamon: There’s a thousand-year tradition that the Japanese pass their family crests from generation to generation. The family crest is called “Kamon” in Japanese and can be seen everywhere in Japan...
Best Tokyo Food Tour 2017: Where Real Japanese Go
We returned to Japan after two years of absence which is long enough for us to long for our families and friends. But we must admit what we’ve been missing the most, the food. We will share only the best...
Shugendo: Japanese Mountain Worship and Spiritual Powers
Man in traditional Japanese shugendo outfit doing waterfall meditation in winter with ice and snow Shugendo can be translated into “The Way of Mastering the Force.” It is a religion that requires harsh and...
Tokonoma: Japanese Alcove Design, Styles, and Scrolls
Tokonoma is the Japanese alcove that we can see in the reception rooms of traditional Japanese houses. It’s a focal point for the interior as it provides a sense of hospitality for the guests. Let’s look at...
Japanese Garden: History, Design Principles, and Elements
Hamarikyu Garden in Tokyo, Japan Do you want to create a Japanese-style garden? Japanese gardens have a unique composition that makes us feel still and calm. What is it about them? Understanding the basics, design...
Yukata: Japanese Traditional Casual Dress for Summer
A woman in blue yukata with green sash sits on veranda Overview of Yukata Yukata is a traditional dress designed to spend comfortably in Japan’s hot, humid summer. For example, navy and white color combinations...
Japanese Tea House: Architecture of Ultimate Spiritual World
Japanese tea house, Chashitsu in Japanese, is where Chado, the tea ceremony takes place, which expresses Japanese sentimentality and aesthetics through the act of drinking tea. It is a rare place you can reflect...
Japanese Architecture: Overview of Wide Varieties of Buildings in History
Aizu-wakamatsu , Japan – April 21, 2018: Aizu Sazaedo Temple or Entsu Sansodo built in 1796, it’s one of the oldest wooden structures of its kind and a designated Important Japanese Cultural Property...
Onryo: Japanese Grudge Spirit and Ghost Stories
creepy doll look scary in high contrast Onryo – Japanese spirits of grudge or ghosts, now popular thanks to films such as The Ring, The Grudge, or Dark Water. Is an Onryo only female with pitch-black long hair...
Yakuza: History of Japanese Organized Crime Syndicates
TOKYO, JAPAN – APR 12, 2019: Kabuki-cho Colorful Neon lights, Shinjuku Famous street Crowd people Nightclub Bar Restaurant Tokyo Japan nightlife Yakuza is Japanese mafia whose activities are permeated throughout...
Kukai: Biography of Japanese Buddhism Superstar
Kyoto, JAPAN – Apr 2 2021: The statue of Japanese Buddhist monk Kobo Daishi Kukai in To-ji (Toji Temple) complex on a sunny day. Translation: Namu-daishi-henjou-kongo (convert to Henjou-kongo Daishi) Kukai –...
Types of Buddhism Developed in Japan: End of the World Belief, Pure Land, and Zen
Scenery portrait of the posture of zen Buddhism monk in Japan, Kamakura Types of Buddhism developed in Japan: We have seen the early Japanese Buddhism was for the court elites and used as a tool to centralize the power...
Japanese Buddhism in Early Stage: Only for the Elites and the State
Japanese Buddhism, a Buddhist monk at Mt. Koyasan steps up to the temple Japanese Buddhism #1 – In modern times, Japan’s most popular schools of Buddhism are Pure Land, Shingon, and Nichiren Buddhism which...
Japanese Onomatopoeia: The Made-up Words Convey Perfect Subtlety
Japanese Onomatopoeia – What’s onomatopoeia? It’s the words which express the sound of things in general. The term came from France which has 600 Onomatopoeia, English has 1000 Onomatopoeia, and...
Japan Religion: Japanese Religious Views and Belief System
Japan Religion: Japanese native might have been asked this one question frequently when they go to other countries, “What do you believe?” Most of them would show you the confused face expression and...
