Life In Japan

When visiting Japan, you may have noticed that many people will opt to sit on the floor, but why? There are many reasons that the Japanese sit on the floor, but here in the west, it’s difficult for us to comprehend how the Japanese can sit on the floor for as long as they do.  […]

A kimono is a long and loose robe traditional to Japanese culture. It is tied with a sash, and usually worn for formal occasions.  For example, kimono are worn for Seijin-Shiki, a coming-of-age ceremony that happens on the second Monday of January. This ceremony welcomes those who have just turned 20 into the world of

Kimonos are traditionally worn by men and women and are a part of Japan’s cultural heritage. These traditional garments are worn for many purposes and are often worn for formal events. However, many people may wear a kimono for their work. There are many different ways to tie an obi. In fact, there are many

Just like many other people from other countries in the world, people in Japan like to drink occasionally. Drinking has its place in Japanese society, with drinking parties usually being held in izakaya and restaurants to strengthen both business and social relationships.  And, like the majority of other countries in the world, Japan has a

Part of the beauty of many Japanese delicacies is that they can be prepared in a plethora of different ways depending on the taste preferences of the person eating them. Take sushi for example, where you have the option of choosing maki sushi, hako sushi, chirashi sushi, and so many more, giving you an opportunity

When we think of a nation with a long history of warriorship and military power, Japan has to be one of the top thoughts that comes to mind. Japan nowadays might not have the largest military in terms of size, but it has one of the biggest budgets.  Indeed, defense has long been important to

There are many similarities to be found between Medieval Japan and Medieval Europe. However, there are also many differences. One that immediately jumps out is that the warriors of Medieval Europe were knights, and the warriors of Medieval Japan were samurai.  Knights and samurai may be considered the equivalent of one another, and they indeed

Japan has a rich history and a beautiful, unique culture. Within this culture, flowers play a very important role inclusive of all the aspects of Japanese culture, including that of Japanese art, literature and the general lifestyle.  Of course though, there are many Japanese flowers out there which bring their own beauty, glory and charm

It feels as though the word ‘sakura’ has taken the world by storm, each day we’re hearing it more and more, and it’s considered to be a great signifier of beauty. After all, sakura actually means ‘cherry blossom’, in Japanese. Cherry blossoms, of course, are the beautiful ephemeral flowers that we see in photographs, and

Oftentimes when we’re learning a new language, it isn’t the initial translation that we find difficult, but rather, when we realize that one single word can be spoken in several different ways. This is often the case for Japanese, and it’s one of the reasons why it’s considered so difficult to learn.  The word ‘mother’,