culture
The soroban — the Japanese abacus — may look like a relic from the past, but it remains one of Japan’s most trusted tools for learning mathematics and developing concentration. Even in today’s digital age, children across Japan still learn to calculate with the soroban. It’s more than a counting tool; it’s a mental exercise that sharpens both logic and creativity. What Is a Soroban? The soroban is Japan’s version of the abacus, originally adapted from the Chinese suanpan during the 16th century. The Japanese model simplified the structure — using one bead on top and four on the ...
When you walk through a Japanese neighborhood, you might notice small plates attached near the entrance of houses. These are called Hyousatsu (nameplates), and they carry the family name of the people living inside.More than just a sign, they are a cultural marker of identity and tradition in Japan. What Is a Hyousatsu? A Hyousatsu is a nameplate that usually shows the family’s surname.Sometimes the first names of family members are added as well.For visitors, postal workers, and delivery staff, the Hyousatsu makes it easy to confirm that the right person lives there. Designs and Materials Traditionally, Hyousatsu were made ...
Every September, Japan celebrates Keiro no Hi (敬老の日) — Respect for the Aged Day, a heartfelt holiday to honor grandparents and elders who have devoted their lives to family and society. It’s not only about longevity; it’s about gratitude, wisdom, and the ties that hold generations together. 🗓 When Is It? Keiro no Hi is observed on the third Monday of September. The holiday became official in 1966 and moved from September 15 to Monday in 2003 under the “Happy Monday” system to create a long weekend. In 2025, Keiro no Hi falls on September 15. 🌾 Meaning ...
Every year, schools across Japan hold a lively event known as Undo-kai (運動会) — the school Sports Day.It’s not just about winning races or games.Undo-kai is a day that brings together children, teachers, and families to celebrate teamwork, effort, and community spirit. A Celebration Beyond the Classroom Traditionally held in autumn, Undo-kai has long been one of the most anticipated school events in Japan.With recent climate changes and hotter autumns, many schools now host it in May or June, when the weather is milder. The entire school spends weeks practicing dances, relays, and fun team competitions.Children are usually divided into ...
Every autumn, Japan celebrates Tsukimi — the moon-viewing festival — to appreciate the beauty of the full moon and to give thanks for the year’s harvest. The tradition dates back to the Heian period (794–1185), when aristocrats would board boats to admire the moon reflected on the surface of the water or in their cups of sake.What they cherished was not the moon itself, but its reflection — a symbol of elegance and refined sensibility in Japanese culture. They composed and recited poems under the pale glow of the moon, expressing gratitude and the fleeting beauty of the season. From ...
How does it sound that there is no cleaner stationed in school in Japan? Public school is cleaned by children themselves. Cleaning time is even set into their daily time table, about 20 minutes. Bloomed and swept, even regularly waxed by them. While in a conventional school, classroom floors are parquet, those of a modern school building are carpeted so that they are vacuumed. Cleaning task is undertaken by the team Children are divided into teams and deployed to every corner of the school. It gives them an opportunity to learn how to operate cleaning and how to cooperate each ...
‘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 ...
Flea market has been progressively common and popular since 1990's in Japan. You can find notices of the events being held every weekend and holiday here and there. Unlike regular antique markets which are usually taken place in the open space of shrine and temple, flea markets usually take place in public space like park or large parking lot. Used clothes are the major items sold at flea market among the other used items from households. Especially, children's items are the most popular – people prefer to procure such items that are used only for a short period at the ...
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 ...
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 ...
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