May the 5th is Children's Day in Japan. It was originally a celebration for boys, and was known as Tango-no-Sekku. In 1948, this day became a national holiday, with the aim to wish all children happiness and to thank mothers. There are many customs for wishing health and showing gratitude that people do on this [...]
Just last week, I went on a winter road trip. Again. Japan is home to many volcanic mountains, and so there are plenty of natural hot springs in the country. This time, my friends and I went to one of the most famous and significant onsen areas in Japan; Hakone. Hakone is a place where almost [...]
Setsubun is a special day in Japan that celebrates the change in season. It used to indicate the day before spring, summer, autumn, and winter; however, now setsubun is celebrated only on the day prior to the beginning of spring. Japanese people wish for a good and healthy year on this day by eating sushi [...]
Japan is known for its oriental traditions, original subculture, and beautiful nature. As we get closer to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, you might be considering traveling to Japan in the near future. In fact, the number of tourists is rapidly increasing over the past few years, showing how popular a tourist attraction Japan is. Tokyo [...]
The Chinese New Year was celebrated during February with colorful dragons, Chinese food, gift exchanging, and fireworks. Japanese culture is greatly influenced by China; however, Japanese people have a different way of celebrating the New Year's. The New Year's holiday is a time for family. People who work in the city go back to their [...]
Japanese Seasons. One of the best things about Japan is the climate. Japan has all seasons and each one is very distinct. I remember when I lived in Australia and every day felt like summer... Thanks to this favorable climate, Japan has different customs and cultures for each season. The Japanese fiscal year starts [...]
Tokyo is mostly covered in concrete, and therefore, the city is prone to the urban island heat effect, especially during the summer. An urban heat island (or UHI) is an urban or industrial area that is a few degrees warmer than areas that surround it. The heat is partly due to waste heat that is produced [...]
With countless environmental issues we face today, every country, company, and individual is trying to find ways to be eco-friendly and lead a sustainable life. I believe we should learn and get ideas from our ancestors. Before industrialization, they were able to live without mass production, disposable items, and durable plastic materials. The Edo era (1603 [...]
Traditional Japanese architecture dates back thousands of years from the time when warehouses were built on stilts (2000 BC). With the development of architectural knowledge and technology, stronger and more durable buildings have been constructed. These houses and other buildings including temples and shrines, were built with local natural materials. The most used material was wood. Wood is the [...]
Japanese people do not wear shoes inside their homes. This unique shoe culture has been a part of Japanese culture for many centuries, and Japanese homes, both traditional and modern, are designed in certain ways because of it. The most noticeable design is the genkan. When you open the front door, you will immediately find a [...]