You might have heard the word ‘Harajuku’ before and associate it with outlandish fashion, but what is Harajuku style? Harajuku is a fascinating subculture movement encompassing a range of different looks, styles and communities, typically found in fashionable districts of Tokyo. In this post, we’re going to look at the history of Harajuku style and …
Japan holds a great cultural resonance for cherry blossoms’ meaning, woven throughout its history. Because of the significance of cherry blossoms in Japan, they are considered the country’s national flower. Visitors travel far and wide to witness the blooming cherry blossoms, and we consider seeing cherry blossoms in Japan as one of the main reasons …
Father’s Day in Japan, or 父の日(chichi no hi), shares many similarities with the British holiday. Read on to learn how to celebrate Father’s Day the Japanese way, and discover some Japanese messages to try in your greetings card! Father’s Day in Japan Like in the UK, Father’s Day in Japan is celebrated on the third …
The rich and unique Japanese flavours found in Japanese cuisine are strongly associated with premium-quality seafood dishes and classy restaurants, amongst many other culinary delights. However, sweet treats often fall by the wayside when it comes to our (Western) knowledge of Japanese cuisine – and boy we’re missing out! Here, we explore a guide to …
In Japanese culture, tea isn’t only enjoyed between family and friends and drank for its health benefits, but tea is celebrated in the formal Japanese Tea Ceremony. With this in mind, it’s no surprise that there are so many types of Japanese tea, with claims of there being over 100 different types of Japanese herbal …
If you’re just dipping your toes into the vast ocean of Japanese contemporary culture then you might be wondering what a konbini even is. Perhaps you’ve taken the plunge into the hustle and bustle and have already entered your fair share of 7-Elevens – but do you know just how much they have to offer? …
Konbini – What is it Good For? Pretty Much Everything Read More »
As Shibori patterns grow more popular and more fashionable on the British high street, we thought we’d dig a little deeper into the history of the traditional Japanese tie-dyeing. Read on to discover the different types of Shibori dyeing techniques. What is Shibori? Shibori – meaning to wring or squeeze – is an old Japanese …
The Japanese have cultural festivals abound, and they don’t stop when the temperature (not to forget the humidity) ramp up! When you step outside into a Japanese summer, you’ll realise you’d probably rather be naked… It’s so hot! Luckily Japanese summer clothing exists, and you’ll want to grab yourself some in no time. Traditional summer …
Omamori – what are they? What does it mean? What do I keep mentioning them at every shrine in every travel blog post? Well it’s probably about time I explained what these beautiful little things are. Omamori are commonplace in traditional Japanese culture, and if you get the opportunity to travel the Land of the …
