Events & Festivals Hinamatsuri — The Wishes Entrusted to the Hina Dolls
Hinamatsuri — The Wishes Entrusted to the Hina DollsAs March approaches, dolls begin to appear inside Japanese homes.The...
Events & Festivals 
Events & Festivals Setsubun — “Oni wa soto, fuku wa uchi”
Setsubun — “Oni wa soto, fuku wa uchi”Japan has many annual observances that mark the turning points of the seasons.Some...
Craftsmanship Daruma Doll — Zen and Japan’s Folk Faith
Daruma — Zen and Japan’s Folk FaithA round red body and a stern, dignified face.The daruma is one of the most familiar g...
Cuisine Exploring the Flavors of Home – Akita Edition
Exploring the Flavors of Home - Akita EditionFacing the Sea of Japan and framed by the ridge of the Ōu Mountains and bro...
Cuisine The Japanese and Soba
The Japanese and SobaJapan has many kinds of noodles—udon, ramen, sōmen, kishimen, to name just a few.Among them, soba h...
Events & Festivals Japan’s Year-End – New Year’s Eve and the Ways It Is Spent
Japan’s Year-End – New Year’s Eve and the Ways It Is SpentIn many Western countries, the centerpiece of the holiday seas...
Cuisine What is Osechi Ryōri, the Symbol of Japanese New Year?
What is Osechi Ryōri, the Symbol of Japanese New Year?On New Year’s morning in Japan, a set of tiered lacquered boxes is...
Culture Joya no Kane – The Bell that Marks an Ending and a Beginning
Joya no Kane – The Bell that Marks an Ending and a BeginningOn New Year’s Eve in Japan, if you listen closely as the nig...
Cuisine Exploring the Flavors of Home – Hokkaido Edition
This article explores Hokkaido, one of Japan’s richest “food treasure houses,” through its local dishes – from Ishikari salmon hot pot and Jingisukan grilled lamb to soup curry, sweet corn, dairy products, zangi fried chicken and chanchan-yaki. It traces how climate, landscape and history are reflected in these everyday hometown flavors.