The Hare of Inaba is considered to be Japan’s first love story, and comes from the ancient Japanese ‘records’, known as Kojiki. The Kojiki chronicled many ancient myths, legends, and traditions, as well as the origins of the Japanese landscape, kami, and lineage of the Japanese imperial family. 古事記 (こじき) kojiki = lit. ‘Records of …
Happy Children’s Day! In Japan, Golden week is coming to a close with the final national holiday, Children’s Day. To learn a bit more about it, you can read our blog post all about Golden Week in Japan! In honour of this national holiday – and everlasting boredom – we thought we would share some …
Following our recent post on visiting Okayama prefecture, today I will share my latest recommendation from the mini-series! Tottori prefecture has a long history: settlements first appeared in the prehistoric period and have been fought over and under rule of various clans. In fact, the prefecture belongs to the same region (Chūgoku-chihō) as Okayama, and …
We are very lucky to have a wonderful and caring health service, who are working hard to protect our nation. Out of respect for our incredible frontline workers, we thought we would share an alternative way of accessing face masks – and from the comfort of your own home no less! So, why not make …
Japan is a notoriously beautiful country, with vistas varying from the snowy mountains of Hokkaido, to the tropical islands of Okinawa. There’s plenty to see and do, and I’m sure you already have cities like Tokyo, Kyoto, and Hiroshima on your list! I wholeheartedly recommend visiting these places, but I thought I would also share …
I hate to say it, but it’s already that time of year again: time to spring clean. We’ve found ourselves at home desperately finding new activities to occupy us – did I mention we have all sorts of fun ways to keep yourselves busy and the kids happy (and quiet)? Let’s face it, we’ve all …
If you’re anything like me, you’re probably cooped up at home dreaming of exploring somewhere new, learning a new language and visiting new sights. Maybe you’re looking for a mental getaway, a pleasant distraction in these uncertain times, or new inspiration to make future holiday plans come together. It seems only right to spread some …
Dolls, or ningyos, have long been a significant component of Japanese culture. Traditional Japanese dolls are more than souvenirs; they are given as formal gifts, displayed in the home, and used during festivals. There is a wide variety of types of Japanese dolls, some being more abstract and others being very lifelike. In this article, …
Find the Perfect Christmas Gifts for the Japanophile in your Life With Christmas a matter of weeks away, the countdown is on to accumulate the perfect gifts for your loved ones. If you have a shinnichi in your life, or are just on the hunt for unique Japanese Christmas presents, we are here to make …
