culture

: KEIGO: Let's learn how to talk politely in Japanese

Keigo is the honorific language in Japanese, which is one of the major categories that have to be mastered to be a proper Japanese speaker. Let’s start from a simple example. ‘Sushi’: the most famous Japanese dish actually is hardly called ‘sushi’ especially among ladies, and the people who want to use polite speech: it has to be called ‘O-sushi’. Prefix ‘O’ denotes politeness. ‘Cha’ (tea) will be called ‘O-cha’, ‘Hashi” (chopsticks) will be ‘O-hashi’, equally. "Go" & "o" But it’s a bit tricky. You can’t put ‘O’ to just anything, as it should be ‘GO’ in some cases like ...

: Slippers: Please take off your shoes at home in Japan

There are, in this world, several countries that have a culture to take off the shoes at the house entrance. Japan is definitely one of them. Japanese houses are made to separate strictly inside and outside. When you open the entrance door, there is an open space where you take off your shoes. The house floor is set approx. 10cm up to knee high raised from the entrance to allow very little chance that dirt reaches to the floor. That makes your feet feel completely clean and smooth on the floor. Even though, people wear slippers which are strictly for ...

: Bath Culture in Japan: Relaxation, Tradition, and Everyday Life

Bath, Onsen, Relaxation, Seasonal Custom, Wellness

Few things represent Japan’s sense of comfort and mindfulness better than taking a bath.Japanese people love to soak in hot water — called “Ofuro” (お風呂) — all year round, regardless of the season.It’s more than just washing the body; it’s a daily ritual of relaxation, purification, and renewal. Onsen: Japan’s Natural Hot Springs When people think of Japanese bathing culture, Onsen (温泉) — natural hot springs — often comes to mind.Japan is blessed with thousands of onsen across the country, from snowy mountain villages to the heart of Tokyo. Visiting an onsen is not just about the bath itself.It’s an ...

: HaHanabi-taikai: Japan’s Summer Fireworks Tradition and the Spirit of Celebration

summer

Every summer in Japan, the night sky bursts into color as fireworks festivals — hanabi-taikai (花火大会) — light up towns and cities across the country. More than just a visual spectacle, these events represent joy, togetherness, and the fleeting beauty that defines Japanese aesthetics. Families, couples, and friends gather by riversides, parks, and beaches to watch the fireworks bloom like giant flowers.In a season marked by heat and humidity, these displays offer a cool, shared moment of wonder under the stars. The Meaning Behind Hanabi The word hanabi (花火) literally means “flower fire.”It captures the Japanese appreciation for impermanence — ...

: Obento Lunch Box

Going out carrying home-made lunch filled in the lunch box is very common custom in Japan. Meal put in lunch box is called ‘Obento’. Obento box The lunch box into where the meal is put is basically reusable. Those made of plastic are most common, as they are easy to care, otherwise those made of stainless steel also can be seen. Besides, there are many artisanal wooden or bamboo woven lunch boxes that are beautiful and delicate. Those made of cardboard or thin plastic are also available as disposable ones. What is in it? The type of food to ...

: Randoseru has absolute reliability and beauty

Tool

If you walk on the street in the resident area early in the morning, you would see groups of small children walking towards the elementary school. And you will see all of them carrying the same type of ‘backpack’. That is called ‘Randoseru’ in Japanese. It is said that the origin of the term has come from ‘ransel’ which means ‘backpack’ in Dutch. It was initially imported from the Netherlands in Edo era, for foot soldiers to carry their baggage. Randoseru = Elementary school student Now randoseru is a symbol for elementary school children. They carry textbooks in it. Typically, ...

: Chopsticks are the basis of Japanese culture

Tool

Nowadays Japanese cannot expect to see foreigners struggle with chopsticks. Many of them can use them with ease. But how many foreigners could tell the distinctiveness of Japanese chopsticks? At a glance, Japanese chopsticks have tapered tips unlike those of Chinese or Korean. Basically, they are made of wood or bamboo, hardly made of metals, and lacquered for smoothness and durability. Chopsticks have sizes that match you They have ‘sizes’ (allover length) categorized by men’s and women’s, and for children in different ages, responding to the length of their fingers -- your best size would be well-advised if you consult ...

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