tradition

Have you heard of the word “海女” (Ama) before? Chances are you haven’t, so let me teach you! Ama refers to female divers who dive for abalone, sea urchins, etc. in the seas of Japan. I first learned about this tradition when I watched the NHK […]

Visiting Japan in February? We highly recommend you plan your trip in time with Setsubun. This festive holiday packs together tons of Japanese traditions that are still alive today. Let’s discover together what Setsubun is, and what to expect and learn from this event. What […]

A new year has begun, and what better way to celebrate than taking a trip to Japan, especially Osaka? While the past December may have seemed like the peak for holiday celebrations in the country, do not underestimate the January season, full of New Year’s welcomings, […]

In the Land of the Rising Sun, as the final chimes of December fade and nature lifts a crisp January dawn, Japan wakes to a spectacle of tradition unlike any other. This is not merely the turning of a page on a calendar; it's Shōgatsu, the […]

What is Hastuyume? Simply put, hatsuyume is the first dream of the new year, believed to occur after December 31st and on January 1st, which can be a message that one will have luck within the upcoming year. This tradition has been around since the early […]

There are many traditions around the world when the year ends. For Japan, one such tradition is eating toshikoshi soba, or “year-crossing noodles.” This simple dish holds a special place in the Japanese New Year celebration traditions as soba noodles bring good luck in longevity because […]

With the winter cold in the air and the city decorated for the season, December is a wonderful time to visit Osaka. Since Osaka doesn’t get snow as often, you don’t have to worry about your trip being too cold, but still expect chilly weather around […]

Please welcome Kayoko San, an ikebana specialist who offers classes in Nagoya and sometimes in Tokyo! She has spent the past 7 years teaching ikebana to people from various countries and has been practising this amazing skill for almost 20 years. Her pieces are a real […]

Imagine it’s 1300 years ago in the year 724 AD, the Nara era of Japan. You’ve heard whispers of Kinosaki, a small town nestled along the Sea of Japan. Word has it a Buddhist priest named Dochi Shonin prayed for one-thousand days in order to help […]

Attention dear travelers, I have some very important news before you set sail to Japan and it involves something vital that you require on your trip: currency. Yes, as of July 3rd, 2024, the Bank of Japan has stated that new banknotes for 1,000 yen, 5,000 […]