Posts in "Japanese Culture"

Every March the 14th is "White Day" which is today. To make more monies from Valentines day, the Japanese invented "White Day" as an excuse for men to buy candy to give to women in return for the chocolate that they received - theres even an official...

Yesterday was a public holiday known as "Seijin no Hi" [成人の日] or "Coming of age day" where those who have turned 20 are declared adults meaning they can now do SDV (Smoke, Drink and Vote). In the past, the coming of age day was celebrated only...

In Japan, on the 1st of January, a ton of postcards usually arrive called Nengajo [年賀状[ねんがじょう]]. Nengajo are new year greeting cards that families and business partners send to each other. Today we take a look at what some anime, figure and...

Japanese amulets (charms, talisman, omamori, ofuda, gofu etc) are carried or displayed about ones person which either bring good fortune, ward off bad luck or evil spirits or protect us from calamity.

Osechi Ryori [御節料理[おせちりょうり]] is a traditional Japanese cuisine that is eaten at the beginning of the year. It is characterized by being served in a 3 tiered box which is stacked before and after eating. The contents are usually eaten over...

Folks may be wondering why the Japanese eat Chicken during Christmas from seeing it in anime, Jdrama or actually visiting here. This photo taken yesterday on Xmas eve in Shinbashi. Throughout all of Japan, folks can be seen queuing up outside KFC for...

Been living in Japan for about 12 years now and have watched how Halloween went from practically nothing to being celebrated throughout Japan. As the media pick up on festivities, more and more folks join in on the halloween shenanigans as each year...

Stick most food photos in the A Week in Tokyo series but sometimes there be too much - I'm either taking too much photos or eating too much ^^; Following on from the Japanese Food photo post comes part 2 - filled with a load of great food that one ca...

At Ikaho hot springs in Gunma, there is a shrine called Ikaho Jinja [伊香保神社] at the top of the Ishidan steps. We went on a weekday so not many other folks around. Felt like I stepped back in time.

The Hina Matsuri [雛祭り] is a special day in the beginning of March to wish the healthy and prosperous growth of young girls. This years Hina Matsuri was on the 3rd a few days ago and one often sees dolls displayed on platforms in the shape of steps...

When I said earlier on that nothing special happens today - I lied ^^; Today, many folks across Japan are celebrating something called Setsubun [節分] which is pronounced "setsu-boon." The reason why I completely forgot about it is because Setsubun i...

After learning about Japanese culture, you will sooner or later come across the term "Kyabakura" [キャバクラ] which refers to a bar that employs ladies to sit next to you who will light your cigarettes (if you smoke) and pour drinks for you - and if...

At the beginning of the year all over Japan, one can see a load of paper bags lines up in front of retail shops. All the bags are sealed so that you cant see whats inside. The bags are called Fukubukuro [福袋] and would be literally translated as "Ba...

For folks who like to frequently drink out, many bars will keep a bottle of Sake (rice wine) for you with your name on it - this is called "Bottle Keep" [ボトルキープ]. They throw it out after a certain period if you don't come back to drink it all t...

Asanon upgrades her phone straps from last year - this time round they are even bigger! Japanese cell phone straps are a part of Japanese culture and you can see just how many people use them by taking a trip on the trains. One of my first encounters...

Filming in Shibuya 109 with some of the Gal's. "Gal" [ギャル] is the Japanese word used to describe young fashionable girls who are in the loop with the latest fashion trends. There are many different types of Gal's including Cogal, Yamamba, Mamba, K...

And now its time for a commercial break. Next up is the gorgeous Nanami Sakuraba - an actress who also does the seiyuu for some anime - she was the voice actress for Natsuki in Summer Wars. Today she sings a song telling us how mornings just are not...

Do you keep pets? If so would that be a cat or dog? Maybe some beetles? or how about a pig? Spotted this fellow in our local shopping arcade the other day walking his very sweet pig. You is being a pet owner?Is 0%Is not 0%Vote recorded. Thanks!Your v...

Taking a 5 min break from Culture Japan filming and production to post part two of the cultural festivities at Tokyo Kokusai Metropolitan High School [東京都立国際高等学校]. This time round we get to see more of the performances they had including th...

Was at Tokyo Kokusai Metropolitan High School [東京都立国際高等学校] the other day for more Culture Japan filming. Today we have a lookie at the Cultural Festival "Bunkasai" [文化祭] which takes place at most schools across Japan once a year in Autum...

The last of the 2010 Summer festival (Matsuri) [祭] photos coupled with some snaps taken when filming last week at Himonya Matsuri - one of the biggest festivals in Meguro. My co-host today is the lovely Yuri Takeda [竹田有里] - a TV reporter and jou...

One for the ladies - photos of the lads taken this week when filming for Culture Japan at Tokyo Metropolitan Kokusai High School. They are all wearing a coat called Tokkou Fuku [特攻服] with the kanji "Kokusai Danji [国際男児]" meaning "International...

Photo taken this week when filming for Culture Japan at Tokyo Metropolitan Kokusai High School. Something is going to happen to the school girl in pink - guess what happens? BTW, I'm going back to the same school as a student for more Culture Japan...

"Japanese Sword", "Nihontou", "katana" are a few names given to this sword but it does wonders as an envelope opener too.