Tamaki SAITO（西東たまき）

Do you have anything comes into your mind as for Japanese confectionery? They are made to match with Japanese green tea or Matcha (thick green tea).   What is ”Wagashi”？ Traditional Japanese confectionery is called ‘Wagashi' which means 'Japanese sweets'. Although there are attempts by Wagashi pâtissiers to use Western techniques to create new types of Wagashi, using eggs and cream etc., Wagashi is traditionally made only from plant ingredients: Azuki red beans which make Anko bean paste, sugar and Kanten agar － no egg nor milk, even wheat flour is not a must.   Wagashi different for each season ...

We used to see a little wooden box with a flap lid hung at the house gate. They were to receive delivery of milk bottles. It was a regular sight at anywhere until some decades ago. Such box can be still observed though with much less frequency and now it's made of plastic. Earlier than 1970's, milk used to be a drink to be delivered to home not to buy from the supermarket. Very early in the morning, milk packed in classical glass bottles are delivered by bicycle before -- now by car.   Because of the delicacy of the ...

Did you know that many Japanese neighborhoods still use a paper board to share news?It’s called Kairan-ban, and instead of email or group chats, it literally gets passed from house to house. From festival announcements to warnings about wild monkeys, this old-school system shows how Japanese communities stay connected in their own unique way. A Paper-Based System Still Alive in Modern Japan Even in today’s digital age of smartphones and instant messaging, one analogue communication tool is still widely used in Japanese neighborhoods.It is called “Kairan-ban” (literally, “circulation board”). The Kairan-ban is a clipboard or folder that circulates from house ...

There is a certain exercise that every Japanese person knows — Radio Taiso (literally “radio exercise”). It’s a short, rhythmic workout that has been part of Japanese life for nearly a century.   The Beginning of Radio Taiso Radio Taiso was first introduced in 1928, inspired by similar fitness programs from the United States. Since then, it has become a familiar routine taught in every Japanese elementary school. The exercises are performed to piano music and verbal instructions broadcast by Japan’s national radio station, NHK. The goal is simple: to promote good health, flexibility, and a sense of unity among ...

Every school kids are looking forward to the summer vacation. The summer vacation is the longest school holiday, though in fact the regions where people experience heavy snow or tough coldness, winter vacation is the major holiday of the year and the summer vacation is just transient. However, summer vacation must be the most active and awaited holidays for everyone as it is the best season to visit the sea and mountains! In Tokyo region, for example, it starts from around 20th July until the end of August For compulsory education students – primary and junior high school – there ...

Every coast region have some beach resorts of which they are proud. The announcement of the termination of the rainy season is the notice of the arrival of the summer. People flock to the sunny beaches with families and friends. They enjoy dipping themselves into the sea water, sunbathing or play some beach sports.   Umi-no-ie The beach side will be filled with temporary cottages called ‘Umi-no-ie’ (beach house) Umi-no-ie provides various services for visitors to satisfy every kind of needs they would wish to have; shower and bathrooms, space to relax, and serves drinks and light meals. They are ...

Japan experiences four beautiful yet distinct seasons, and with each one comes a shift not only in temperature but also in lifestyle. One of the most symbolic customs of this adaptation is Koromogae (衣替え) — the traditional practice of changing wardrobes to match the season. More than just cleaning out your closet, it reflects Japan’s deep respect for nature’s rhythm and social harmony.   🌸 What Is Koromogae? Koromogae literally means “changing clothes.” It’s a long-standing Japanese custom where people put away clothes from the previous season and bring out those for the upcoming one. Historically, even schools, offices, and ...

Summer festival －Natsu-matsuri in Japanese － is one of the largest events in each community. Some of them are so prominent that attract a flock of visitors and tourists, even from abroad. But in fact, almost every local community holds their own summer festival. So just imagine thousands of summer festivals are happening throughout the season, throughout Japan. Such local-based Natsu-matsuri is a great opportunity for reconnection among the neighbours; people are too busy with each body’s activities － a person who lives in your next door doesn’t mean you can catch often.   But the day of the Natsu-matsuri ...

In the age of internet, sending a physical postcard seems to be outmoded. But the fashion still persists with some nostalgia. There is one greeting card specific for the middle of summer.   ‘Shochu-mimai’ greeting card is the postcard exchanged in the mid-summer   The main purpose is to share the sympathy in enduring the consecutive days of harsh heat and remind the recipient to take good care of him/herself. Actually, there is a great deal of potential risk for heat stroke in recent years, and basically there’s high risk for food poisoning and loss of appetite in summer.   ...

wimming lesson seems to be set as one of the crucial parts of the education in Japan. Every school usually is equipped with a swimming pool, and kindergarten will not complete their time-table without giving children a dip during the mid-summer Learning swimming at swimming club is one of the most popular activities that parents arrange for their small children, often for health purpose, as many parents claim that the children became tougher against cold after starting swimming lessons. Swimming in school curriculum starts in June in Kanto region. It is still in the middle of annual rainy season so ...