In Japan, we clebrate two notable events in January. One is a clebration of New Years which is probably the biggest celebration of all in Japan. The family members get together and eat Osechi Ryori, the traditional Japnese New Years foods. Each ingredient or meal in Osechi Ryori has meanings to it with a hope […]
Author: Yu
Okutama Mukashimichi Hiking Trail Okutama is a popular hiking spot and one of the recommended trail is called “Okutama Mukashimichi” which can be translated into “Okutama Old Trail”. It is a 4-hour trail from the JR Okutama station to the Okutama Lake. JR Okutama station is about two hours from JR Shinjuku station. Please see […]
Who is Ryoma Sakamoto? Ryoma Sakamoto was born in Kochi in 1835 as the son of a country samurai of the Kochi Clan. He is one of the most famous historical characters in Japan. He learned swordsmanship and art of the rifle in Edo and later, he joined the Tosa Kinno-to formed by Zuizan Takechi […]
Imari city was the next destination in our trip after visiting Karatsu city in Saga prefecture. About 40 minutes drive from Karatsu, Imari is located southwest of Karatsu and is famous for its Imari ware or Imari procelain. Imari wagyu beef You may have already heard of the ceramics of Imari as they are pretty […]
Travel within Japan After a long time, I finally got to travel within Japan. The year 2020 has been quite unique in many ways due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We now don’t see foreign tourists across Japan which has hugely damaged the tourisum industry since the beginning of 2020. Even after a State of Emergency […]
Today I’d like to introduce a few unique Obi styles for kimonos. Suehiro Musubi The Suehiro Musubi Obi style is used for the Furisode, a style of kimono distinguishable by its long sleeves that go right to the ground, to celebrate the significant point in a young woman’s life. It is one of the most […]
Summer Kimonos or Yukata As you may know, the summer heat in Japan is harsh…However, we still want to enjoy wearing kimonos even during the summer season. In the month of July and August, we wear kimonos made from thinner materials than a usual kimono which is often called “Usu-hitoe”. Like Yukata, the summer kimonos […]
What is Ume? Where did it come from? “Ume” means Japanese plums in Japanese. You may have heard of “Umeboshi” in Japanese which are pickled Japanese plums that we normally eat with white rice in Japan. In Japan, there is an old saying that “coarse tea and Japanese plum a day keeps the doctor away” […]
What is Amazake? Amazake is one of the fermented foods that has been loved by Japanese people since the Edo era (1603-1868) which is made from fermented rice that helps nutrient digestion and absorption of human body, meaning Amazake helps abosrb nutrition in an efficient manner and turn it into energy. Especially during the hot […]
Beneficial effects of green tea Today, I’d like to introduce some of the beneficial effects that green tea has on infectious diseases and human immune systems. In Japan, there is an old saying that if you drink green tea that was picked on the eighty‐eighth day from the beginning of spring, you will be able […]