” Joya no Kane” The tradition of hitting a big bell at temples on New Year’s Eve
The custom of hitting a bell at temples originated in China. It has became common in Japan since the Kamakura period (12-13th century) and become a yearly event on New Year's Eve to Year's Day.
"Joya" means the night time of New Year's Eve to Year's Day and "Kane" means bell.
The king of sweet ingredients for Japanese confectionery “Anko”
"Anko"（Red bean paste) is an indispensable sweet ingredient for Japanese confectionery and plays a primary role in Japanese sweets.
Miso soup, the taste of Mom’s dishes!
We Japanese have been drinking Miso soup(Miso-Shiru in Japanese) on a daily basis since we were little kids and are familiar with it.
Good to be in “Tatami rooms” to relax
Tatami mat is traditional Japanese flooring made of woven straw.
A typical Japanese house has at least one tatami room as a parlour which is used for visitors to stay at night.
Because tatami rooms were once so common, we express the area size by the number of Tatami mats.
Discover the Fascination of Jido Hanbaiki: Japan’s Ubiquitous Vending Machines
Explore the phenomenon of 'Jido Hanbaiki' - Japan's ubiquitous vending machines. Learn why these machines are everywhere, from public safety to clever business strategies. Discover the diverse offerings, including drinks, unique vending machines, and high-tech marketing innovations. Dive into the world of "Jido Hanbaiki"!
Exploring Senbei: A Journey Through Japan’s Time-Honored Rice Snack
Discover the history and variety of senbei, Japan's beloved rice snack. From traditional classics to unique flavors, explore the world of this classic Japanese treat.
Oden, recommended cuizine when the weather becomes colder
Discover the delightful world of Oden, a traditional Japanese one-pot dish, featuring ingredients like eggs, daikon, konjac, and more. Learn about the secret to its flavorful broth and where to find it in Japan.
Momiji-gari ,The traditional pastime of viewing autumn foliage
Discover the history of Momiji-gari, the Japanese tradition of autumn foliage hunting. Learn why it's called "hunting" and when the best time to enjoy Japan's stunning autumn colors is.
Why don’t you try “Curry rice” which the Japanese love?
"Curry rice" is a combination of rice and curry.
It originated in Great Britain based on Indian curry and introduced to Japan around 150 years ago and evolved in a unique way.
It is thicker than Indian curry because of the flour.
It is very popular in Japan as an affordable national dish together with "Ramen" and one of the most popular dishes among kids according to the questionnaire of elementary school.
Noren, The measure to change the shop or room to be Japanese style atmosphere
Noren is so convenient and changes the atmosphere of the rooms to be chic Japanese style by decorating in the room.