Japanese Culture: Omiyage
The Japanese word “omiyage” translates roughly to souvenir or gift. Omiyage is an item that is traditionally given as a …
Japan Guide
Tokyo Snapshots: Marunouchi
Brief Background Marunouchi takes its name from “within the circle” and dates back to the 14th century and is located …
Japanese Traditions: Daruma
Have you ever come across the above figurine and wondered why or why not it typically has one eye on …
Japanese Food Tips: Ordering Ramen With a Food Ticket
One of the strangest things I encountered in Japan during my first trip was trying to figure out how to …
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Looking for an Exit
Hello Everyone! Today I have a story from a my 2005 trip to Japan. I know, I know it was …
Japanese Traditions: Sumo Basics
Sumo is the official sport of Japan and one of the most ancient. For those in the West, the word …
Japanese Tea Ceremony
The Japanese tea ceremony is absolutely something you may want to consider experiencing for yourself. Called sado in Japanese, it …
Kimono: Kyoto to Catwalk V & A Exhibition Curator Virtual Tour
Hello All! Hope you are staying safe. I wanted to share with you today a set of videos from the …
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Different Types of Kimonos Part 1
Hello All! I apologize for not updating lately. It just didn’t feel right to me with all that has been …
Ise: Shinto’s Grand Shrine
When I was studying abroad in 2008, I was lucky enough to take my first trip to Ise shrine. It …