Understanding Japan   Near and far, familiar and unknown

The kotatsu

Imagine a coffee table that is also a heater, and a blanket... Tourism, travel, and culture while ...

Butoh

Butoh is a concept, a way of perceiving the world. Not a play, just attitudes, trait twists, and ...

Noh theater

A subtle drama involving singing and dancing with a lyrical text, Noh theater had almost disappeared ...

Kabuki

Long despised in favor of the classical Noh, Kabuki remained a drama alive since its inception, ...

Manga

These "ridiculous drawings", as revealed by their etymology, offer various genres and plots. Manga ...

Natsume Soseki

His face adorns the 1000 yen notes, Natsume Soseki and (1867-1916) is the best-known novelist, the ...

Zen

Originally from India, Zen meditation and school (dhyana in Sanskrit, chan in Chinese, son in Korean) ...

Ukiyo-e

Japanese woodblock prints are more than just drawings. They are a testament to the expertise of ...

Oshogatsu: The New Year

Oshogatsu is a major date on the Japanese calendar. Religion and family centered, it mixes good ...

Golden Week

Golden Week is composed of several consecutive holidays when most Japanese take their holidays.

Obon period in Japan

Obon is a quintessential summer holiday, and the Japanese take this opportunity to participate in ...

Hina matsuri

On March 3rd in Japan, we celebrate girls. Very little dolls to represent the imperial couple are ...

Shinto

The original religion of Japan is Shinto, worshiping the forces of nature. Meaning the way of God, ...

Kodomo no hi

On May 5th, multicolored carp can be seen floating in Japanese gardens. The ancient festival of ...

Tanabata

Christmas in Japan

Christmas has naturally found a place in Japan, a country that loves to give gifts. It has become ...

Bunraku

Forget the little puppets, and forget inhibitions about not understanding a word of performance ...

Zen monochrome painting

This visual art, which first appeared during the Muromachi period in Japan, captivates both by its ...

The illustrated scroll

During the eighth century in Japan, emaki - or picture scrolls - conveyed edifying tales, epic warriors, ...

Buddhist statues

The representation of Buddhist deities is based on certain codes and invites you to take a walk ...

Sumo

Sumo is usually described as a combat sport, a definition that does not fully express its historical, ...

Hanami, Cherry Blossom Season ...

In Japan, the beginning of spring means hanami. An annual and unaltered tradition where Japanese ...

Japanese beer

Rather blonde and light, beer is everywhere in Japan and willingly drinks during meals. She even ...

Japanese dolls

Heroes of mythology, members of the imperial court, or stars of theater, Japanese dolls are precious ...

The Ainu of Japan

Indigenous people of northern Japan, the Ainu have long suffered from Japanese expansionism before ...

St. Valentine's Day

In Japan, the taste of love is chocolate: women offer sweets ... by obligation.

Fugu, the poisonous pufferfish

It's not that it is particularly tasty, but pufferfish attracts thrill seekers and the curious. ...

Zainichi, Koreans in Japan

Who are "Zainichi"? The term, which literally means "to be in Japan" can refer to Korean immigrants ...

Traditional Japanese Instruments

Unusual and haunting sounds: discover five traditional musical instruments that have marked the ...

National holidays

To avoid breaking your nose on the door of a museum, a restaurant or a temple, discover the Japanese ...

The UNESCO World Heritage ...

Japan Guide offers a selection of the finest Japanese cultural sites among those registered on the ...

Pachinko

Loud noises and bright lights: here you are at the entrance of a Pachinko, a hobby midway between ...

Unusual accommodation

Discover four unusual places to stay for total cultural immersion during your stay in Japan!

Baseball in Japan

Far from the traditional sports of this country like sumo, judo or kendo, baseball here has been ...

Yabusame, archery of the gods

This ritualized martial art, which involves an archer on horseback, was once part of the strenuous ...

Japanese mascots

The Japanese are crazy about mascots. Cities, companies, brands, sports teams, all proudly display ...

The ukai

Cormorants of ukai, old fishing technique, ply the rivers of Japan from May 11 to October 15 for ...

Hunting for Fireflies

In Japan, the nocturnal contemplation fireflies - hotaru - is a well-known summer fun Japanese.

Bonsai

In 2014, the centenary of the first bonsai exhibition was celebrated in Tokyo. A 1500 year old practice ...

Karaoke

In Japan, karaoke is more than just entertainment: it's a massive entertainment industry. Just wander ...

Praying in Japan

Japan's two largest religions, Shinto and Buddhism, ask the faithful for a few ritualized gestures ...

Shochu

Distilled from sweet potato, rice, barley, or buckwheat comes a popular drink with a unique taste.

Indigo Blue

Fans, jackets, curtains, the Blue of Japan is present everywhere in the daily life of the Japanese. ...

The Musical Tokyo Subway

Eki-melo, a real feature of Japanese subways and trains, are easily recognizable melodies, which ...

Tattoos in Japan

Tattooing in Japan has existed for a long time in the traditional form of irezumi, but a negative ...

Watching Japanese TV

Many visitors, during their trip to Japan, want to watch Japanese TV. However, it can be pretty ...

Japanese Superstitions

Here are some Japanese superstitions you should know to avoid any blunders, and enjoy your trip ...

Fake Japanese Food

In Japan, the fake dishes made of resin displayed in restaurant windows is a favorite among foreign ...

Taking Ikebana Classes in ...

Ikebana is one of the finest arts of Japan. Find out where to take classes and where to meet the ...

Pachinko

As rowdy as the famous Love Hotels, pachinko gambling halls are a major social phenomenon of contemporary ...

Traditional Japanese Toys

Japanese children are lucky. They still have popular traditional toys that also serve as beautiful ...

Japanese Lucky Charms in Temples ...

Buddhist or Shinto, temples and shrines abound in Japanese lucky charms, charms or horoscopes sold ...

Halloween in Japan

Halloween in Japan sees a huge marketing push with limited editions of sweets, pumpkin flavoured ...

Tsukimi, Japan's Harvest Moon ...

Ancient Chinese tradition, tsukimi is both an agrarian celebration and a contemplative moment dedicated ...

Yokai, Japanese Ghosts and ...

Shigeru Mizuki, author of the classic manga Gegege no Kitaro, sadly passed away recently. In his ...

Kappa and Japanese Folklore

The kappa loves water. Rumour has it, it is possible to see them in rivers, lakes, marshes and other ...

Chanoyu, the Japanese tea ...

Japanese tea ceremony gives us insight into both the art and philosophy of Japan.

Typical Japanese Gestures

We all know the Japanese bow to say hello, thank you, goodbye and many other things. However, Japanese ...

Washi

Washi is characterized by its texture and its appearance: it is made of paper mulberry, or other ...

Traditional Houses: Japan ...

Wooden structures, tatami rooms, paper walls: in Japan, houses are enough to disorient Westerners.

What is a geisha?

The profession of a geisha is to entertain wealthy clients through traditional Japanese arts.

The Land of the Rising Sun

"The Land of the Rising Sun" is a phrase synonymous with Japan in most countries. But what does ...

Going to the cinema in Japan ...

From huge, comfortable complexes to small arthouse theaters, Tokyo and other major Japanese cities ...

Marriage in Japan

Marriage has become a real industry in Japan - choose between a traditional Japanese marriage, or ...

Japanese Toilets

How do you use a Japanese toilet? Small concentration of technology that, at first, can be confusing.

Music in Japanese train stations

Do you know about "eki-melody", the music played in Japanese train stations? These easily recognizable ...

Volcanoes in Japan

In Japan, there are currently more than a hundred known active volcanoes. Volcanic activity shapes ...

Culture Day

Originally the birthday of Emperor Meiji, today Culture Day in Japan is an excuse for multiple festivities.

Labor Day in Japan

November 23 is a holiday in Japan in honor of workers. It has its origins in an ancient harvest ...

Nanakusa no sekku: the festival ...

In Japan there's an old custom of eating rice porridge made with seven fresh herbs on January 7th, ...

Japanese whisky

Japan: the land of whisky. For connoisseurs, it goes without saying. For others, it may come as ...

Japanese sports

There are many traditional sports that the Japanese enjoy, but they have also adopted many others ...

The maneki-neko

A maneki-neko, the Japanese lucky cat, brings luck, happiness and wealth to its owner!

Hanami etiquette guide

Hanami is very popular with locals and tourists alike, but did you know that there is etiquette ...

16 amazing facts about cherry ...

Japan Experience reveals some surprising facts about the Japanese and cherry blossoms.

"Hanami is the Japanese pastime ...

Our guide and expert on the history of Japan, Alain, tells us about the origin and meaning of the ...

Matsuri, Japanese festivals

Matsuri are ceremonies during which the Japanese pray to deities and honor their ancestors.

Cicadas

In Japan, insects have an important place in popular culture: cicadas are considered a symbol of ...

10 Typical objects in a Japanese ...

If you are living or staying in Japan, see if you recognise this selection of typical objects found ...

The architect Tadao Ando

Tadao Ando is a true icon of Japanese architecture. The purity of his geometric designs and achievements ...

Machiya

Machiya are the traditional houses of Japanese merchants. Located in the heart of a city, they were ...

Different types of Japanese ...

After the Second World War, Japan experienced strong economic and demographic growth, causing an ...

Midori no Hi

In Japanese, midori means "green" and refers to nature. Midori no Hi is a holiday that is part of ...

Keiro no Hi: Respect for the ...

Keiro no hi is a holiday dedicated to the elderly. It takes place on the third Monday of September.

Izakaya

An izakaya is typical Japanese bar, where people meet after work with colleagues or friends to drink, ...

The concept of 'ma'

The concept of ma, the space between two things, is paramount in Japanese aesthetics and human relations.

Uchi and Soto

The concept of uchi and soto is deeply rooted in Japanese culture. It calibrates human relationships. ...

Honne and Tatemae: human relationships ...

The dual concepts of honne and tatemae are very important in Japanese culture.

Keigo

In Japanese, there are two basic levels of language: informal and polite. But did you know that ...

The ideology of 'do'

Dojo, judo, shinto... The character do (道) is in many words in Japanese. What do they have in common?

Omotenashi, Japanese hospitality

Japanese hospitality, called omotenashi, is famous all over the world.

The traditional Okinawan art ...

A mixture of dance, music and singing, the art of Eisa is a major part of Okinawan folk culture.

Traditional Okinawan houses

Discover the typical homes of Okinawa. Red roofs and black stone walls contrast with the blue sky, ...

Japanese calligraphy

In Japanese, shodo literally means "the way of writing". More than just an aesthetic, it's an expression ...

Buddhism in Japan

Buddhism is one of the two main religions in Japan. Today, it exists in Japan alongside Shintoism, ...

The job of sushi chef in Japan

Japan's iconic sushi comes in many forms. But what do you really know about the chefs who make it?

Hadaka matsuri

Hadaka Matsuri, naked festivals, defy the stereotype of the "typical Japanese" as hordes of nearly ...

The symbolism of cherry blossoms ...

Usually associated with hanami, the cherry blossom is very popular with the Japanese. Discover this ...

Rugby in Japan

Rugby is very popular in Japan, and the sport has been practiced there for a century.

The Japan rugby team

In the run-up to the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan, learn about Japan's team, the Brave Blossoms.

The Japanese Top League

The Japanese Top League is the national rugby championship of Japan, where the sport enjoys increasing ...

Junishi: the 12 signs of the ...

In Japan, it's mainly the signs of the Chinese zodiac that are used in astrology.

Shichimi

Japanese cuisine isn't known for being spicy, and yet the Japanese make great use of shichimi, a ...

Tengu

The tengu is a long-nosed demon with an angry red face. An evil spirit who, over time, has managed ...

Torii

Torii are traditional gates that guard the entrance to Shinto shrines in Japan. A deep red color, ...

Japanese martial arts

Judo, karate, kendo... Discover Japanese martial arts, probably some of the best known and most ...

Godzilla

Godzilla is the most famous monster of all "kaiju eiga" - Japanese monster movies. The beast awakened ...

Gokon

In a society where it's more and more difficult to meet, the Japanese have developed a good way ...

Ginkgo trees

With its gold-colored leaves, the ginkgo is one of the most emblematic symbols of fall in Japan. ...

Blood type in Japan

In Japan revealing your blood type is a big deal, as many people think that someone's personality ...

Organised crime in Japan

The yakuza, or Japanese mafia, occupy an important place in Japanese society, not just for their ...

Secrets of longevity in Japan

The Japanese have the longest life expectancy in the world, and the reasons for this are down to ...

Nomikai

A nomikai is an after-work meet-up for Japanese workers. Usually organized by their company, it's ...

The Japanese salaryman

The salaryman in his smart black suit is the most common representation of employee work in Japan ...

Ashiyu, Japanese foot baths

Very popular in Japan, ashiyu are small public foot baths usually found near hot springs throughout ...

Wafuku

Wafuku is traditional Japanese clothing, and it fascinates as much as dazzles the eye. Discover ...

5 amazing facts about onsen

These five facts and anecdotes about onsen may surprise you...