Living in Japan
Exploring the Beaches of Japan
There are over 1,000 beaches in Japan. Being a nation of islands, the territories are surrounded by water everywhere. These beaches differ intensely, as some of them are in urban settings that are easily accessible by train, while others are in secluded islands which take a while to reach. Kamakura Beach Kamakura Beach is not the most [...]
Exploring the Rivers of Japan
In Japan, the majority of the rivers are known to be very steep but short. This is because the country's terrain is largely mountainous. The Japanese rivers tend to rise in the forests of the mountains, flow through V-shaped valleys and then turn into alluvial plains downstream. The lower reaches of these rivers are used to cultivate rice, and [...]
The Museums of Kyoto, Japan
Kyoto National Museum The Kyoto National Museum is located in the center of Kyoto, and focuses mostly on ancient Japanese art. There is the Collections Hall, which has the permanent exhibits, houses over 12,000 specimens of calligraphy, textiles, artifacts, metal works, paintings and sculptures. These are displayed on rotating exhibits. There is [...]
Celebrating Valentine’s Day in Japan
The Japanese have their own way of celebrating Valentine's Day. The most common tradition is for Japanese women to give chocolate to men on February 14th. They may also give other gifts, but chocolate is the most common. Women do not only buy chocolate for their boyfriends and husbands, but also for most of their male friends, co-workers, bosses [...]
Navigating the Volcanoes of Japan
Ten percent of all volcanoes in the world are located throughout the islands of Japan. Out of all of Japan's volcanoes, about 80 of them are considered active today (though this is according to who you ask). The entire country is spotted with volcanoes, from north to south. Japan also has longest recorded history of volcanic eruptions, dating [...]
Learning the Business Customs of Japan
The Japanese are aware of the challenges that foreigners face when in their country. Though they have some specific standards within their own culture, they do not expect foreigners to completely conform to these. They will not expect foreigners to understand or speak Japanese very well, and they may also be shy themselves if they are not fluent [...]
Shogatsu: Celebrating the Japanese New Year
In Japan, New Years is called “shogatsu” or “oshogatsu.” It lasts from January 1st-3rd, and businesses close down so families can celebrate together. Schools often close for a week or two. The Japanese celebrate this holiday as separating the two consecutive years completely, which includes completing every prior obligation for a fresh [...]
Bodhi Day: Buddhist Holiday
Today is Bodhi Day, the 8th of December. This holiday commemorates the day that the Buddha, Siddhartha Guatauma, experienced enlightenment, or “Bodhi.” According to legend, Siddhartha had sat under a Pipul tree and meditated to relieve suffering. He eventually was able to overcome suffering by finding the root of it, and then liberating [...]
Japanese Tea Ceremony, ‘The Way of Tea’
History Tea was brought tea in the brick form from China to the Japanese court in the early ninth century. The drinking of tea in Japan was confined to the court aristocracy and Buddhist ceremonies until the twelfth century when appreciation of tea spread among the warrior class. Tea gatherings of this era were often boisterous affairs that [...]
The Shinkansen: Japanese Bullet Trains
The Shinkansen, or “Bullet Train” is a high speed train that can take you in between cities in Japan. It is more similar to flying than it is to taking the train. Though it costs about as much as flying from city to city in Japan, it will drop you off at the city center, so you don't have to worry about getting all the way to the airports. [...]
