Shinobi

Clam digging is one of many popular outdoor activities for all generations in Japan from April to the end of June. May and June are the most popular months of the year to go clam digging - (Shiohigari in Japan). Once I went clam digging in Egawakaigan-Shiohigarijo in Kisarazu, Chiba with some of my friends from back home in Europe, and they had a blast!. It took about one hour for each member to dig about 2 Kilos of Asari clams (Japanese littleneck clams). Clam digging is very popular in Japan so locations can get very crowded on holidays and ...

Shogi, also known as Japanese chess, is a two-player strategy board game in the same family as Western chess.The word “shogi” means “game of generals,” and the game has been played in its current form since the 16th century. What makes shogi unique is the rule that allows captured pieces to be reused, giving the game incredible strategic depth.   A Brief History of Shogi Shogi traces back to Chaturanga, an Indian board game from the 6th century. Through China’s xiangqi, it eventually arrived in Japan. The earliest written reference appears in Shin Saru Gakuki (1058–1064). Archaeological finds from Kōfuku-Ji ...

Japan is often called one of the safest countries in the world.But what does that actually mean?Safety here is not only about low crime rates—it also includes how people live in big cities, the calm of rural communities, and even the risks that come from nature. This article looks at real crime data, everyday examples, and the dangers you might not expect, from nightlife scams to wild bears. Safety by the Numbers: Japan vs the World When we talk about safety, numbers make the picture clear.Here’s how Japan compares with other countries in homicide and theft rates (per 100,000 people). ...

As we all saw recently in Fukushima, in March of 2011, and in Kobe in January of 1995, catastrophic earthquakes and tsunamis are a real threat to Japan. Just about every day there is at least one tremor in the country but fortunately, large dangerous earthquakes are relatively rare, but when they do strike they can be deadly. The Japanese have been brought up with these natural occurrences. Children from a very young age are taught what to do in the case of an emergency. It is usually the tourist who panics or is scared of the minor tremor which ...

Let’s be honest Japan is known throughout the world for its use of cutting-edge technology to make everyday life easier. In fact, there are hundreds of products in Japan with the sole purpose of increasing strength and alleviating suffering in the sweltering days of a Japanese summer, yet none work as well as unagi (the Anguilla Japonica freshwater eel). This historical food remedy is crunchy and sweet on the outside while remaining succulent and soft on the inside. Unagi is served throughout the year but the peak consumption is during the summer months in most major cities.   What is ...

Sumo wrestling or Sumo is a competitive full-contact wrestling sport where a rikishi (wrestler) attempts to force another wrestler out of a circular ring or the Dohyō or into touching the ground with anything other than the soles of his feet. The sport originated in Japan, the only country where it is practiced professionally It is generally considered a Gendai-budō (a modern Japanese martial art), however, this definition is misleading, as the sport has a history spanning many centuries. Many ancient traditions have been preserved in sumo, and even today the sport includes many ritual elements, such as the use ...

The Maneki-Neko (literally "beckoning cat") is a common Japanese figurine (lucky charm, talisman) which is often believed to bring good luck to the owner. In modern times, they are usually made of ceramic or plastic. The figurine depicts a cat (traditionally a calico Japanese Bobtail) beckoning with an upright paw, and is usually displayed in—often at the entrance of—shops, restaurants, pachinko parlors, and other businesses. The Maneki-Neko is sometimes also called the welcoming cat, lucky cat, money cat, happy cat, raging cat, beckoning cat, or fortune cat in English.   Various Types Maneki-Neko comes in different colors, styles and degrees ...

Living costs in Japan and especially in Tokyo are famous to be among the world's highest. However, if you live outside of central Tokyo, adjust to a Japanese lifestyle, and do not depend too heavily on food and products from your home country, you may be surprised how inexpensive Japan can be. Also in Japan's many dollar shops, you can find goods for less than $1.00 US that you would not find available anywhere else, and some of these are of reasonable quality.   Food Costs Local supermarkets are relatively inexpensive if you stick to Japanese food such as seasonal ...

It has been said that Japanese is difficult to learn, but perhaps not as difficult as you would think. Whilst it may take a while to come to terms with the huge differences between Japanese and English, the spoken language is actually pretty simple, and the written language can be learned very successfully with a little hard work and logical planning. Obviously more difficult than most European languages, but probably easier than other "exotic languages", the lack of tones is a blessing for westerners.   The Japanese Language Is Not Difficult...? If looked at from a linguistic point of view, ...

Japan is famous not only for its advanced technology and unique culture, but also for its intense work ethic.For decades, Japanese office workers have been associated with long hours, late nights, and a word that shocked the world: karoshi — death from overwork. Why does this happen in a country that values harmony and discipline?And why do so many employees still find it difficult to leave the office on time or take their paid vacation? This article explores the cultural and structural reasons behind Japan’s overtime problem — from social pressure and “unwritten rules” to the tragic consequences of karoshi ...