culture

: Daruma Doll: Write a pupil on one eye of Daruma to make your wish come true

The Daruma doll, also known as a Dharma doll, is a hollow, round, Japanese traditional doll modeled after Bodhidharma, the founder of the Zen sect of Buddhism. These dolls, though typically red and depicting a bearded man (Dharma), vary greatly in color and design depending on region and artist. Though considered an Omocha, meaning toy, by some, Daruma has a design that is rich in symbolism and is regarded more as a talisman of good luck to the Japanese. Daruma is one of the most popular talismans of good luck in modern Japan. A brief history of the Daruma ...

: Have a special holiday at Ryokan. A Japanese classic style inn.

Ryokan is Japanese style inns found throughout the country, especially in hot spring resorts. More than just a place to sleep, a ryokan is an opportunity to experience the traditional Japanese lifestyle and hospitality, Ryokans were once the main place a traveler would stay in Japan. Today the Ryokan has changed very little in style but is more of a place where tourists go to get a real feel of what living in a traditional Japanese home is like. incorporating elements such as tatami floors, futon beds, Japanese style baths, and local cuisine, making them popular with both Japanese and ...

: Do Japanese people have a prejudice against tattoos? History of Japanese tattoos

In Japan, it is common to see "no tattoos allowed" signs at establishments such as restaurants, public bathing areas (Onsen), gyms, public swimming pools. But why is this? Tattooing is the most misunderstood form of art in contemporary Japan. Demonized by centuries of prohibitions and rarely discussed today in civilized circles, people with tattoos are outcasts in their own country — banned from many beaches, pools, and public baths. Reason Ask anyone to explain the reason for this vilification and most will blame the yakuza and their penchant for body ink; better-informed citizens may even trace the roots of ...

: Escalator In Japan: Do Not Ride In The Middle?

Escalators are used around the world in places where elevators would be impractical. Principal areas of usage include department stores, shopping malls, airports, transit systems (railway/railroad stations), convention centers, hotels, arenas, stadiums, and public buildings. An escalator is a vertical transportation device in the form of a moving staircase – a conveyor that carries people between floors of a building. Like vending machines, canned coffee, and convenience stores, escalators seem to be ubiquitous in modern Japan. This is especially true in Tokyo, with its many multi-storied buildings with basements, and if you take public transportation, as you descend (and ascend) ...

: Obon is a Japanese religious custom to pray for ancestors

Obon

‘Obon’ is a certain period of time in the middle of August where majority of Japanese will be engaged with ancestor-related rituals, basically in their home town. This is a Buddhist event occurring from the 13th to 16th of August． Obon is said that it’s the time the ancestors come back to visit their family. Actual rituals are totally different depends on the areas and regions. In some Tokyo area, for example, in the evening of the first day of obon period, family visit the ancestor’s grave, holding unlit lanterns. Lanterns are only lit at the grave and carried to ...

: Veg stall in Japan: Low-priced and fresh vegetables

Vegetables used to be sold at veg shops and supermarkets after passing through multiple agents including agricultural cooperatives and whole sellers, hence many margins. However, farmers now have more options to approach directly to consumers. Direct-sale stalls and stores are everywhere now whether small or large. Fresh harvest straight from the farm is brought in by farmers every day Many of them have a message label indicating the individual farmer’s name even with a photo to declare ‘this is made by me’ with a pride. You can also read the data and history of the production: the use and ...

: Japan School Uniform: Very important! Uniform design decides School Life

Uniform is common in kindergartens, junior high schools and high schools regardless private or public in Japan. They are usually in the shade of dark colours and often come with the matching bag and hat. Especially, the girl student's school uniform can be one of the issues to be taken into account when they make choice of school to go; girls like to enjoy nice uniform every day. Therefore, schools take it into extra consideration when they designate the uniform because the number of applicants can fluctuate according to the style and design of the uniform! Students mostly enjoy modification of ...

: The Japanese still can't understand English,But still we would like to learn English

English

Despite the known fact that English is largely not understood in Japan, Japanese are very enthusiastic about learning foreign languages, chiefly English. English lesson in official education starts from junior high school when the students are age 13. Private English learning is very common and popular. Parents are keen to raise their children English-friendly. However, the result is as known; Japanese in general does not really understand English. The reason why has been controversial over the years; some attribute to the teaching system which weights much in grammar than practical speaking English. Some say because Japanese are afraid of feeling ...

: How about using Wrapping Service?

This might be against the global trend of ‘saving resources' and 'reduction of rubbish' but if you buy a book from Japanese bookshops, they usually put a cover on the book by folding the wrapping paper with the bookshop logo very quickly. Why is the cover supported? One of the two major reasons is because it covers the reader's privacy － many people don't want others to know where their interest lies being learnt from what they are reading. The other reason is that they want to preserve the books as neat and clean as new. There are more practical ...

: Deliver milk to your house

delivery

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 ...