culture
Very early in the morning, much before dawn, you will hear the sound of motorbike going around the houses and apartments. They are ‘Shimbun haitatsu’ newspaper delivery. Although people who subscribe newspaper are decreasing than before, along with the spread of the internet that provides various information immediately, especially among young generation. Internet will update you per minutes. But newspaper delivery is still much alive. One way or another we must get things Win To combat with the internet news services, newspaper agents are very keen to keep up the number of subscription. They send salespersons occasionally to visit houses ...
Konnnichiwa (hello) must be the most well-known Japanese greeting. ‘Konnichiwa’ will be used any time after ‘good morning’ time but before ‘good evening’ time. ‘Ohayo’ is good morning. Ohayo followed by ‘Gozaimasu’ (oayo gozaimasu) is the polite version. ‘Konbanwa’ (good evening) is the greeting used in the evening and afterwards. Greeting at Departure When you go out, anytime of a day, you will say to anyone you leave behind ‘Ittekimasu’ which literally means ‘I’m going’. You will be answered by ‘Itterasshai’, let’s say ‘Have a nice day’. When you are back, you are supposed to say ‘Tadaima’ toward anyone at ...
Few everyday items reflect Japan’s love of precision and minimalism better than the so-called “sharp pencil” — what English speakers know as the mechanical pencil. In Japan, these aren’t just tools for writing; they’re a blend of engineering, practicality, and quiet beauty. What Is a “Sharp Pencil”? In Japanese, a mechanical pencil is called shaap penshiru (シャープペンシル) — often shortened to “sharp.” While many countries rely on ballpoint pens for schoolwork, Japanese students overwhelmingly prefer mechanical pencils. Why? Because graphite can be erased cleanly with a plastic eraser, keeping notebooks neat and legible. For most students, a sharp pencil ...
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 ...
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 ...
In Japan, bathing is more than getting clean — it’s a daily ritual of resetting the mind and body. From steaming hot springs in the mountains to neighborhood public baths and quiet home tubs, bathing reflects Japan’s love of warmth, calm, and simple comfort. What Makes Japanese Bathing Unique Wash first, soak second: You always wash outside the tub, then enter the bath to relax. Hot but gentle: Typical bath temperature is around 40–42°C, warm enough to loosen the body without feeling harsh. Daily reset: Many people bathe at night to sleep better and “reset” for tomorrow. Seasonal joy: ...
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 — ...
In Japan, taking a home-made lunch to work or school is more than just a practical routine — it’s a small expression of care, balance, and beauty. The meal packed inside is called an obento, and it reflects a deep cultural sense of thoughtfulness in everyday life. What Is an Obento? An obento is a single-portion meal neatly packed in a box. It’s the Japanese way of bringing a complete, balanced meal wherever you go. You’ll see office workers opening them in parks, students unwrapping them at lunch, and travelers enjoying them on trains. The Box Itself The ...
If you walk through a Japanese neighborhood early in the morning, you’ll see small children in uniforms heading to school — each carrying the same box-shaped backpack. That backpack is called a “randoseru” (ランドセル). For many Japanese people, it’s a nostalgic symbol of childhood — and surprisingly, its name came from Dutch. From Dutch Soldiers to Japanese Schoolchildren The word randoseru is derived from the Dutch word “ransel”, meaning “backpack.” During the late Edo and early Meiji periods, Japan adopted many ideas from Western countries, including the Netherlands. The original ransel was a military backpack used by Dutch soldiers. ...
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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