Learning Culture

Chopsticks are indispensable cutlery items when it comes to Japanese cuisine. They are used not only for eating, but also for cooking.

Shojin ryori (vegetarian Buddhist cuisine) is one of Japan’s traditional cuisines that was born from the Buddhist concept that meals were also a part of religious practice.

Japanese summer is not only hot but humid. For this reason, Japan has long had various tools and methods for cooling off in order to find comfort in the severe heat.

Fireworks that color the night sky are synonymous with summer in Japan, and fireworks festivals are held throughout the country every year, mainly during July and August.

Nohgaku is a Japanese traditional art that has been practiced since the Muromachi period — more than 600 years.

A yukata is a type of Japanese clothing that is worn in summer. It is a thin cotton kimono that is relatively easy to wear compared to a regular kimono.

Kado（flower arrangement） is a traditional Japanese art in which flower vases are adorned with seasonal flowers and plants for people to appreciate. This art is also known as ikebana.

One of the classic activities for autumn in Japan is otsukimi (moon viewing).

Compared to cherry blossom viewing in spring, observing autumn leaves is referred to as momijigari "hunting for autumn leaves".

November 23rd is a public holiday in Japan called "Labor Thanksgiving Day".

There is an event in Ota Ward, Tokyo, called "Shicchy's Charity Fair," which occurs twice a year in June and November, each spanning three days.

In the summer of 2020, both the Olympic and Paralympic Games will be held in Tokyo.

Kappabashi Dogugai is a wholesale district located between Asakusa and Ueno that mainly sells cooking utensils.

Known as "Japan's kitchen," Tsukiji Market is split into the inner market and the outer market.

Tokyo is particularly abundant in illumination spots and it seems that in 2016 in Minato Ward,

The event known as "obon" is like a memorial service for ancestors and people who have passed away.

In Japan, they say that the stars "Orihime" (Vega) and "Hikoboshi" (Altair), which face each other a

Suwa Taisha Shrine in the Suwa district of Nagano Prefecture is one of the oldest shrines in Japan.

Like soba noodles, udon noodles are a well known type of Japanese noodles. Made from flour, they are distinctively thick and white.

Yakisoba is a noodle dish created by frying steamed Chinese noodles with meat and vegetables.