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...
Tradition
Events & Festivals 
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...
Events & Festivals Dancing Spirits: 400 Years of Memory in Awa Odori
Dancing Spirits: 400 Years of Memory in Awa OdoriEvery August, the heart of Tokushima City comes alive with a unique, el...
Culture Family Crests and the Stories They Tell of Japanese Families and History
Family Crests and the Stories They Tell of Japanese Families and HistoryWhen walking through Japanese streets or looking...
Events & Festivals Bon Odori — A Timeless Celebration That Colors the Japanese Summer
Bon Odori is a traditional Japanese dance rooted in ancestor worship. This article explores its origin and highlights regional dances such as Awa Odori, Gujo Odori, Nishimonai Bon Odori, Tokyo Ondo, and Soma Bon Uta.
Culture When the Oni Comes Knocking— Japan’s Mysterious Demon Festival , Namahage
Experience the haunting beauty of Namahage, a centuries-old ritual in Oga, Japan. Each New Year’s Eve, straw-clad demons roam snowy villages, driving out laziness and welcoming blessings for the year ahead.