14 May 2012: Old Japanese stories, the Goddess from Matsumoto Castle's ceiling
Many places in Japan have their own fantasy stories and folktales, with ghosts, gods and supernatural beings, passed from generation to generation by word of mouth... Usually, I learn such old Japanese stories in temples or shrines, but recently I ... »
Read more » 41 comments 05 May 2012: Tango no Sekku Koinobori, Boy's Day in Japan
If you travel to Japan during end April and beginning of May, you will surely notice a lot of carp-like streamers made of cloth or paper, waving in the wind. These are koinobori, decorations displayed for Tango no Sekku, the Boy's Day, which is ... »
Read more » 43 comments 03 May 2012: Japanese traditions - Dashi parade, plus a travel tip
Some of the best Japanese festivals (matsuri) are the dashi parades, processions of 3-level wooden floats, about 8 meters tall, lavishly ornate with complicated carvings. While the taiko drummers are sitting on the first floor, on the top of the ... »
Read more » 85 comments 22 Apr 2012: Traditional Japanese clothing - Fundoshi
Visiting Japan, one thing you'll notice everywhere are people wearing traditional clothing. Ladies in stylish kimono and girls in colorful yukata are common sight on the streets of the city, while miko or priests wearing the traditional hakama can ... »
Read more » 39 comments 12 Apr 2012: Old Japanese stories, Haunted Jizo
Since Jizo is one of the most loved and popular deities, Jizo statues are a common sighting in Japan. But among them, there are a few really special statues, like the one from the Shogin-ji Temple in Taito-ku, Tokyo.Sculpted in 1721, the Jizo ... »
Read more » 73 comments 05 Apr 2012: Japanese traditions - Fujin, The God of Wind
An old Buddhist legend tells the story of two demons who once opposed Buddha. One of them is Raijin, the Japanese god of thunder and lightning, while the other is Fujin, the Japanese god of wind. The story goes that Buddha ordered the capturing of ... »
Read more » 69 comments 02 Apr 2012: Japanese traditions - the origin of Kappabashi
Kappabashi is an old street from Asakusa, which once was connecting the two important local temples, the Senso-ji and the Kan'ei-ji from Ueno. Today, Kappabashi is famous for its stores specialized in kitchenware.Its story starts during the Edo ... »
Read more » 54 comments 28 Mar 2012: Japanese traditions - Raijin, the Thunder God
Visiting Japanese temples, eventually you will wonder who are the characters represented so often by larger-than-life sculptures placed inside many temple gates... One of them is Raijin, the Japanese god of thunder and lightning (his name comes from ... »
Read more » 68 comments 22 Mar 2012: Japanese traditions - Mikoshi parade
Traveling through Japan, you may encounter, especially around Shinto shrines, large groups of people gathered around teams carrying on their shoulders a heavy, lavishly ornate palanquin, a mikoshi. The teams of mikoshi bearers are wearing special ... »
Read more » 83 comments 17 Mar 2012: Thousand origami cranes at Fushimi Inari Taisha
In Japan, the crane is an important symbol of longevity and there is a folkloric belief that the crane lives 1000 years. That was the base of the tradition saying that the crane will grant a wish of health and long life to anyone who will make 1000 ... »
Read more » 60 comments 06 Mar 2012: Mekura-ishi, the Blind stone
Many shrines in Japan are dedicated to gods of love, marriage and matchmaking. But some of them, besides the usual ema and omamori, have some special customs. At the Jishu Shrine, the shrine near the famous Kiyomizu-dera from Kyoto, you can enjoy ... »
Read more » 42 comments 03 Mar 2012: Hina Matsuri Dolls and a travel tip
Today in Japan takes place one of my favorite celebrations, Hina Matsuri - the Doll Festival. Today, the families with young daughters are displaying a very special set of dolls (hina-ningyō), praying for their daughters to be healthy and ... »
Read more » 85 comments 09 Feb 2012: Japanese Customs and Traditions - Chinowa, the ring of purification
If you visited Shinto shrines during summer or winter, you probably noticed these large straw circles, about 2 meters diameter, placed like in this photo from the Ohtori Shrine, Asakusa, Tokyo. This is an old Shinto tradition, with roots in a very ... »
Read more » 57 comments 03 Feb 2012: Mamemaki, the bean throwing festival, in a Tokyo Metro mosaic
In Japan, Setsubun is the day before risshun, the beginning of spring in the Japanese lunar calendar. In this day (February 3rd in 2012) takes place the tradition of Mamemaki (bean throwing), a ritual to chase away bad spirits and bad luck. Like ... »
Read more » 70 comments 19 Jan 2012: Japanese traditions - Lion Dance, Shishi-mai
During the first days of the year in Japan, in the traditional areas or at Shinto shrines, you can witness one of the oldest Japanese traditions for the New Year, Shishi-mai, the Japanese lion dance. Originally from China, the old legend of the ... »
Read more » 58 comments 11 Jan 2012: Japanese traditions - Dondo Yaki 2012
A lot of Japanese customs and traditions at the beginning of the year! Around the middle of January, a festival of fire takes place in Japan, named Dondo Yaki 「どんどやき」.The traditional New Year ... »
Read more » 48 comments 01 Jan 2012: Hatsumode, the first visit to a shrine or temple
If you visit one of the famous shrines or temples of Japan during the New Year's night, you will notice something very unusual for a westerner... Starting with more than an hour before the midnight, you will see very long queues forming right in ... »
Read more » 45 comments 31 Dec 2011: On New Year's night, the Seven Gods of Luck - Santa Claus times seven
In the Japanese tradition, during the New Year's night, the Seven Gods of Luck are traveling in their ship Takarabune (meaning "treasure ship"), bringing gifts and good luck to those who believe in them. Kind of like Santa Claus, multiplied by ... »
Read more » 65 comments 30 Dec 2011: New Year's Japanese good luck charm, Hamaya
Generally, the good luck charms in Japan are sold throughout the year, but there are a few notable exceptions. Hamaya, the "demon-breaking arrow", is sold at Shinto shrines only during the first days of the year. Hamaya is a decorative arrow ... »
Read more » 63 comments 29 Dec 2011: Traditional Japanese New Year decorations, Kadomatsu and a travel tip
Between Christmas and January 7th, on both sides of the entrance doors you will notice in Japan kadomatsu 「門松」, "gate pines", a beautiful New Year traditional Japanese decoration made to welcome the kami, especially the ... »
Read more » 61 comments 28 Dec 2011: Renewing the good luck - Omamori replacing at Meiji Jingu
If you visit Japanese shrines or temples at the beginning of the year, you will notice places equipped with large boxes where visitors are throwing various objects... If you look closer, you will see them throwing the same objects available for sale ... »
Read more » 39 comments 27 Dec 2011: 2012, the Year of the Dragon
Like in the previous years, yesterday at the Tsutenkaku Tower from Osaka took place the 56th annual "zodiac sign replacement", an event where the animals representing the Chinese zodiac signs of the old and new year play their part in a ceremony ... »
Read more » 47 comments 27 Dec 2011: Traditional Japanese New Year Decoration, Kagami mochi
Kagami mochi 「鏡餅」 is a special traditional Japanese decoration for the New Year, usually displayed inside the house in the kamidana, for Toshigami, the god of the new year, to bring good luck and prosperity in the new ... »
Read more » 65 comments 26 Dec 2011: Traditional Japanese New Year decorations, Shimekazari
Immediately after December 25, the Christmas decorations are replaced with the New Year decorations... The New Year is the most important celebration in Japan and, even if they look like simple ornaments, the traditional Japanese New Year ... »
Read more » 65 comments 22 Dec 2011: Rakes for Good Luck and a travel tip
There are many traditional good luck charms in Japan and some of them are sold especially at the end of the year, in order to have good luck during the next year... One example is the kumade, a rake for "raking in wealth and good fortune". Actually, ... »
Read more » 64 comments 19 Dec 2011: Japanese Customs and Traditions - Christmas in Japan
Since the number of Christians in Japan is relatively low (under 1%), the Christmas day is not a national holiday and the Christmas in Japan is mainly a commercial event. However, there are several typical Christmas customs and traditions taking ... »
Read more » 189 comments 19 Dec 2011: Japanese traditions - changing the old Shimenawa
If you visited or looked at pictures with Shinto shrines, you probably noticed places marked with a twisted rope - a shimenawa (sacred straw rope). Made of rice straw, shimenawa comes in many sizes, with lengths between a few centimeters to several ... »
Read more » 48 comments 15 Dec 2011: Senso-ji Hagoita Fair and a travel tip
In the old times, the Japanese kids were having fun during the New Year by playing traditional games like karuta (card game), sugoroku (board game) or fukuwarai (similar to Pin the Tail on the Donkey). Outside the house, the boys were flying kites ... »
Read more » 65 comments 01 Dec 2011: Exactly like in Edo, soba noodle portable vending stall
In Japan, the first documented use of buckwheat, soba in Japanese 「そば in hiragana or 蕎麦 in kanji」, dates back from the Nara period (710-794), when it was used as a "backup" harvest: because it grows very ... »
Read more » 84 comments 20 Nov 2011: Japanese traditions, Umbrella ghost, Origami version
I was always fascinated by the Japanese folklore tales, with their monsters, demons or spirits, so different than the western tales. A good example (and one of my favorites) is the story about Tsukumo-gami, a type of Japanese spirit: it is said ... »
Read more » 61 comments 16 Nov 2011: Traditional Japanese Kite
Kites were invented by the Chinese about 2000 years ago and were brought to Japan by Buddhist missionaries during the Nara Period (710–794). In time, the Japanese developed their own style of kites (the Japanese term is tako, written with the kanji ... »
Read more » 58 comments 06 Oct 2011: Old Japanese Stories, Momotaro, the Peach Boy
Located in the Chūgoku region, Okayama city is best known for its white peaches and for... Peach Boy - Momotaro (momo means peach and taro is a common Japanese name), the main character of a well-known Japanese legend. It is said that the story ... »
Read more » 71 comments 22 Sep 2011: Hundreds of Daruma Dolls
The Daruma doll is one of the most popular Japanese good luck talismans and probably the richest in symbols. The name daruma comes from the Sanskrit word dharma and it refers to Bodhidharma, the founder of Zen Buddhism. A Daruma doll is an armless, ... »
Read more » 91 comments 10 Sep 2011: Old Japanese Stories, the Cupid of Japan
In Kyoto, inside the Kiyomizu-dera, you can find a small but colorful (and quite crowded) Shinto shrine. Although located in the temple's premises, the shrine (built by the shogun Tokugawa Iemitsu in 1633) is separated and it is dedicated to ... »
Read more » 55 comments 08 Sep 2011: Sightseeing Nara, the Hole in the Pillar
Inside the Great Buddha Hall (Daibutsuden) of the Todaiji Temple in Nara, towards the exit - right near the souvenir area, there is one of the main pillars of the building.It's a very thick pillar (it holds the largest wooden building in the ... »
Read more » 80 comments 05 Sep 2011: Old Japanese stories, Shibarare Jizo
I wrote before about the very popular Jizo statues, which can be found almost everywhere in Japan. But yesterday I visited a very unusual one, a... rope-tied (shibarare) Jizo. Yes, he is literally tied with a lot of ropes and can be visited at the ... »
Read more » 59 comments 30 Aug 2011: The Story of Nara Deer
1301 years ago, Nara was becoming the first capital of Japan. Today, Nara is one of the most interesting historical places in Japan, not only because of its very old buildings but also because is carefully preserving the old customs and ... »
Read more » 82 comments 15 Aug 2011: Hundreds of Jizo
I have seen many places in Japan decorated with dozens or even hundreds of Jizo statues. As I wrote before, Jizo is one of the most loved deities in Japan, protector of children, expectant mothers, firemen and travelers.Perhaps one of the best ... »
Read more » 60 comments 09 Aug 2011: Japanese traditions, Matsuchiyama Shoden
In Asakusa, near the banks of the Sumida river, between Kototoi Bridge and Sakura Bridge, there is a small hill called Matsuchiyama. The hill is famous because of Hiroshige's ukiyo-e painting Night View of Matsuchiyama and the San'ya Canal, part of ... »
Read more » 46 comments 07 Aug 2011: The origin of Tori-no-ichi
A very old shrine from Asakusa, Ohtori Shrine, is directly connected to a legendary character from the history of Japan: Yamato Takeru, the son of legendary Emperor Keikō of Yamato, the 12th Tennō or Emperor of Japan, who ruled between the ... »
Read more » 50 comments 28 Jul 2011: Japanese traditions, Bon Odori Dance
An old story says that Maudgalyayana (Mokuren in Japanese), one of the closest disciples of Buddha, had several supernatural powers: he could talk to ghosts or gods, travel with the speed of light, walk on water and float in the air... After his ... »
Read more » 79 comments 22 Jul 2011: Wagasa, Japanese traditional umbrella
Wagasa 「和傘」, the traditional Japanese umbrella made from bamboo and washi (Japanese paper), is renowned not only for its delicate beauty but also for the precision open/close mechanism. The first folding umbrellas ... »
Read more » 55 comments 10 Jul 2011: Japanese traditions, Hozuki Ichi
Today, on July 10th, at the Senso-ji Temple from Asakusa, Tokyo, takes place Yonman-rokusen-nichi, the Day of 46000 Blessings. According to an old belief, if you pray at the temple on this day, the prayer will be the equivalent of 46000 days of ... »
Read more » 65 comments 07 Jul 2011: Tanzaku Tanabata Tree
Tanabata is not only one of the most romantic traditions from Japan, it also has one of the most beautiful customs - at Shinto shrines and also at stores, schools or even museums, you will see these days a bamboo branch decorated with small, colored ... »
Read more » 68 comments 06 Jul 2011: Japanese traditions, Tanabata Decorations
Probably the most romantic festival in Japan is the Tanabata ("Evening of the seventh"), which celebrates the meeting of two lovers, Orihime (the star Vega) and Hikoboshi (the star Altair), which, the legend says, takes place one day a year, on the ... »
Read more » 84 comments 26 Jun 2011: Japanese Traditional Architecture, Karahafu
Frequently encountered on Japanese castles, temples and shrines, karahafu is one of the specific elements of traditional Japanese architecture that makes you say "this building must be from Japan".Karahafu ... »
Read more » 58 comments 16 Jun 2011: The Dance of Fools
400 years ago, Hachisuka Iemasa, the daimyo of the Awa Province in Shikoku Island, threw a big party for the Tokushima Castle inauguration. After consuming a respectable amount of sake, the townsmen started dancing happily, on a rhythmic tune. And ... »
Read more » 74 comments 28 May 2011: The God of Longevity
Many Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples in Japan include in their premises small shrines dedicated to one of the Seven Gods of Luck, Shichi Fukujin. The small shrine from this photo, one of the most beautiful of those I visited, is dedicated to ... »
Read more » 50 comments 05 May 2011: Tango no Sekku Koinobori
The carp is an old Chinese symbol of courage, perseverance and self-control, and the fact that it can swim against the stream symbolizes determination to overcome obstacles. There is also an old Chinese legend about a carp who, swimming up a ... »
Read more » 47 comments 29 Apr 2011: Hello Kitty Daruma Doll
The Daruma doll is one of the best known lucky charms from Japan. Usually made of papier-mâché, the Daruma doll is a round doll, a type known in English as "tumbler doll" and in Japanese okiagari, meaning to get up (oki) and rise (agari). ... »
Read more » 40 comments 19 Apr 2011: Horagai, the dragon god conch shell
Since the oldest times, a strange instrument was used in Japan, made from a large conch shell, with bronze (or wooden) mouthpiece at the apex of the shell's spire. The Buddhist monks used this instrument, called horagai in various religious ... »
Read more » 60 comments 15 Apr 2011: It's Sakura time!
I won't have time this year to properly enjoy Sakura, but I cannot let the sakura time pass without marking it in some way. So I went through my photo archives and prepared a little collection of high-res sakura photos, so we can enjoy together ... »
Read more » 98 comments 13 Apr 2011: Old Japanese stories, the Octopus Cedar
On Mount Takao 「高尾山」, near the Monkey Park, there is an old cedar, over 500 years old, whose roots resemble the tentacles of an octopus. Hence, it bears the name tako-sugi, octopus cedar. The tree is considered ... »
Read more » 45 comments 11 Apr 2011: Traditional Japan, Yukata couple in Nikko
Japan is one of the most modern countries and, at the same time, one of the most conservative. We can see this in transportation, architecture... and one of the areas in which it is easiest to see this is the style of dressing. Between the fast ... »
Read more » 46 comments 03 Apr 2011: Sakura Tea
These days, sakura started to blossom in Japan... In the old days, the Japanese women use to gather sakura flowers (especially the sakura kanzan type), preserving them in salt. From these flowers, kept fresh, a special tea was prepared, served at ... »
Read more » 49 comments 30 Mar 2011: One Thousand Origami Cranes
In the Japanese tradition, the crane is a mythological being living one thousand years. That's why there is a Japanese custom of giving Senbazuru 「千羽鶴」, a group of one thousand origami paper cranes tied together, ... »
Read more » 56 comments 03 Mar 2011: Hina Matsuri Dolls Travel Tip
On March 3rd, on Hina Matsuri (Doll Festival), the families with daughters exhibit gorgeous sets of dolls dressed in the Heian period style, the Hina Matsuri dolls (hina-ningyo). The Hina Matsuri sets (new or passed from generation to generation) ... »
Read more » 53 comments 01 Mar 2011: Traffic Safety Temple, plus a Travel Tip
Fukagawa Fudōson is a temple located in Kōtō-ku, Tokyo, holding a very special ritual: You may notice one or more cars parked inside the temple's courtyard, right in front of the main building. The reason is that there is a custom ... »
Read more » 36 comments 18 Jan 2011: Taiko Drummers
According to historians, the taiko drums have been brought into Japan from China, during the Yayoi period (500 BC - 300 AD). But according to Japanese mythology, the inventor of taiko music was Ame no Uzume, the Goddess of dawn and ... »
Read more » 51 comments 02 Jan 2011: Hatsumode Crowd
Starting in the very first minutes of the New Year and continuing through the first days of the year, the Japanese tradition of Hatsumōde draws a huge number of people to the famous Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples.Hatsumōde ... »
Read more » 32 comments 01 Jan 2011: Japanese New Year Postcards
In Japan, starting from mid-December, everybody starts sending nengajo 「年賀状」, New Year postcards for friends, relatives and colleagues. According to the tradition, nengajo should be delivered on the January 1st, ... »
Read more » 25 comments 29 Dec 2010: Shichi Fukujin, the Seven Gods of Luck, in 12 Photos
One of the nicest Japanese traditions related to the New Year is the one about the Seven Gods of Luck (or Lucky Gods). Shichi Fukujin Ema, Fukagawa Fudōson Temple, Tokyo As Santa Claus is coming on his sleigh, bringing gifts on ... »
Read more » 38 comments 29 Dec 2010: Soga Brothers Shrine and Story
Besides the traditions related to the New Year, in Japan there are also several Kabuki plays which are traditionally played on New Year, adaptations after the Tale of the Soga Brothers (Soga Monogatari). Soga Monogatari, written by an anonymous ... »
Read more » 40 comments 27 Dec 2010: 2011, the Year of the Rabbit
Yesterday, at the Tsutenkaku Tower from Osaka, took place the 55th annual ceremony of "zodiac sign replacement". As usual, the animals representing the Chinese zodiac signs of the old year (the Year of the Tiger) and the new year (the Year of ... »
Read more » 49 comments 26 Dec 2010: Shimenawa, Shide and Kadomatsu, traditional Japanese New Year
It is a Japanese New Year custom to display, on the house entry door or on the porch, a special knitted rope made from rice straws called shimakezari. Special strips of zigzag folded white paper, called shide, are hung on rice rope, the result ... »
Read more » 37 comments 23 Dec 2010: Japanese Christmas Cake
The customs and traditions regarding the Christmas were brought in Japan by the Christian missionaries. Usually, in Christian countries, the Christmas menu is important and varies widely from region to region, but in Japan, a Christmas menu was ... »
Read more » 37 comments 16 Dec 2010: Hagoita-Ichi
Hagoita-Ichi 「羽子板市」, the Battledore Fair, starts tomorrow at the Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa, an interesting event related to the end of the year. Hagoita is a rectangular wooden paddle, traditionally ... »
Read more » 27 comments 04 Dec 2010: Tengu-geta
Visiting Takao, my attention was drawn by a pair of huge geta, displayed in front of an auxiliary shrine at Yakuoin Yuki-ji Temple. These are a special form of geta, with a single, centered "tooth", traditionally called tengu-geta (or ippon-ba - ... »
Read more » 39 comments 28 Nov 2010: Cute Seven Lucky Gods poster
Hotei, Jurōjin, Fukurokuju, Bishamonten, Benzaiten, Daikokuten and Ebisu are known as The Seven Gods of Fortune (Shichi Fukujin), a group of beloved deities in Japan. The Shichi Fukujin pilgrimage paths are very popular in Japan and can be ... »
Read more » 33 comments 01 Nov 2010: Sudare and Nankin Tamasudare
Street performances are a regular sight in Japan ever since the Edo period. Performances of taiko, shamisen, circus or illusionist spectacles are still a common place, but some traditional types of street performance are almost forgotten - one of ... »
Read more » 28 comments 23 Sep 2010: Kokeshi Dolls Collection
Kokeshi are traditional Japanese dolls, originally created in Northern Japan, made from various woods, with a simple body and a large head, without arms or legs. Initially there were 11 types of "traditional" kokeshi, but after the second World ... »
Read more » 37 comments 17 Jun 2010: Senjafuda
At many shrines and temples from Japan, I noticed small pieces of paper randomly glued on walls, pillars or even ceilings:Daigyo-ji Temple, KamakuraSome are new, but most of them are old, discolored by the sun, some are ragged and some ... »
Read more » 28 comments 10 Jun 2010: Binbogami
There are myriads of kami (gods) in the Shinto religion. To honor the kami, the Japanese people build shrines and organize festivals (matsuri). Many Japanese have in their homes small kamidana shrines, where they bring offerings to pay respect to ... »
Read more » 36 comments 25 May 2010: Odd Japanese Customs - Baku
We all have bad dreams from time to time... Some treatments are available to avoid the nightmares, but in Japan we can get some exceptional help: baku, a creature who feeds on... nightmares!No, I'm not talking about the tapir (whose name in ... »
Read more » 57 comments 03 May 2010: Tango no Sekku
As the Japanese girls have the Hina Matsuri on March 3rd, the Japanese boys have their own festival, Tango no sekku 「端午の節句」, on May 5th, which was designated as a National holiday, Kodomo no ... »
Read more » 57 comments 29 Apr 2010: Odd Japanese Customs - Teru teru bozu
Many cultures have ancient rituals for invoking or for stopping the rain, and Japan is no exception. However, Japan is one of the few countries where these rituals are still part of the daily life.If you visit Japan, especially during the ... »
Read more » 61 comments 12 Apr 2010: Odd Japanese Customs - Kotobuki Bako, the Umbilical Cord Box
I wrote before about the Suiten-gu Shrine, located in Nihombashi, near the Suitengumae Station, dedicated to the God of safe childbirth and blessing of pregnancy.Right from the entrance, one of the two koma-inu caught my eye, because it ... »
Read more » 25 comments 06 Apr 2010: Hana Matsuri
On April 8th, Japan celebrates Buddha's Birthday, Hana Matsuri (花祭り - The Flower Festival). According to Buddhist tradition, Prince Siddhartha Gautama (Sakyamuni Buddha), the son of King Suddohana and Queen Maya, was born on 8 ... »
Read more » 32 comments 01 Apr 2010: 5 Old Japanese Lullaby Songs
Every culture has its own cradle songs (lullabies), simple yet beautiful songs, sung by parents since ancient times.Some lullaby songs were featured in movies or were interpreted by famous singers, so Hush, Little Baby, Twinkle Twinkle Little ... »
Read more » 45 comments 22 Mar 2010: 12 Great Sakura Videos
From the end of March until the beginning of May, the Japanese celebrates Hanami ( 「花見」 - the flower viewing).The custom is not strictly related to the Japanese cherry - sakura, it is also about Asian plum flowers ... »
Read more » 30 comments 19 Mar 2010: Shunbun no Hi, the Vernal Equinox
Shunbun no Hi 「春分の日」, the Vernal Equinox Day, is a National Holiday in Japan since 1948. Because it's an event about stars, the date varies around March 20. The week of the Vernal Equinox is known as ... »
Read more » 18 comments 17 Mar 2010: 3 Old Japanese Sakura Stories
In Japan, sakura will start blooming soon... but the snow that fell here a few days ago reminded me of several great Japanese stories about sakura miraculously blooming in winter. 1. Jiu-Roku-Zakura (The Sakura of the sixteenth day)In ... »
Read more » 39 comments 03 Mar 2010: Hina Matsuri: Dolls and Deli
On March 3rd, Japan celebrates Hina Matsuri 「雛祭り」, the Japanese Doll Festival, also known as the "Girl's Day", an important event, especially for families with daughters. photo credit: St StevThe Hina ... »
Read more » 62 comments 03 Feb 2010: Setsubun
Setsubun ( 節分 ) is a Japanese traditional celebration taking place in the last day of a season. From the four annual festivals, the most important is the one taking place today, on February 3rd, celebrating the coming of spring. The ... »
Read more » 42 comments 14 Jan 2010: Dondo Yaki
A lot of Japanese customs and traditions at the beginning of the year! :) At the middle of January, a festival of fire takes place in Japan, named Dondo Yaki ( どんどやき ). The New Year Decorations I recently ... »
Read more » 11 comments 13 Jan 2010: Mukonage Festival
One of the reasons I like Japan so much is the fact that people know how to have fun. :)On January 15th, in the Tokamachi City, Niigata Prefecture, a very happy festival takes place, the Mukonage Festival, the tossing of the grooms. The ... »
Read more » 12 comments 11 Jan 2010: Seijin no hi
Seijin no hi ( 成人の日 - Coming of Age Day) is a national holiday in Japan since 1948, when it was established on the January 15th. Since 2000, when the Happy Monday System was established, Seijin no hi takes place on the ... »
Read more » 30 comments 06 Jan 2010: Jinjitsu and Okayu
Tomorrow, on January 7th, Jinjitsu ( 人日 ) - the Human Day is celebrated in Japan, a festival originating from the ancient China. According to the Chinese tradition, the first 7 days of the first lunar month of the year were ... »
Read more » 20 comments 31 Dec 2009: New Year in Japan - 108 Bell Chimes
On December 31 at midnight, the New Year is welcomed in Japan with 108 bell chimes, during the Joya no Kane ( 除夜の鐘 ) ritual taking place at the Buddhist Temples. Why 108 bell chimes? 108 is a sacred number in ... »
Read more » 34 comments 28 Dec 2009: 2010, the Year of the Tiger
Today, at the Tsutenkaku Tower in Osaka, took place the 54th ceremony of the zodiac sign replacement. The animals representing the old year (the Year of the Ox) and the new year (the Year of the Tiger), a calf and a tiger cub participated at this ... »
Read more » 36 comments 24 Nov 2009: Children's Mikoshi
For me, a Mikoshi parade is always a source of joy. I participated at several parades and, every time, I met happy and friendly people, many smiled at me, some of them posed for photos and some of them tried to explain to me, with pride, various ... »
Read more » 42 comments 15 Nov 2009: Shichi Go San
Shichi-Go-San ( 七五三 - seven-five-three ) is a festival marking a Japanese traditional rite of passage for 3 and 7 year-old girls and 3 and 5 year-old boys. Because it is not a national holiday, it is held on the nearest ... »
Read more » 40 comments 05 Oct 2009: Jizo
One of the most beloved Japanese deities is Jizo, a Bodhisattva (Bosatsu in Japanese), known in Japan as O-Jizo-Sama or Jizo-san, considered patron of children, expectant mothers, firemen, travelers, pilgrims and aborted or miscarried ... »
Read more » 14 comments 02 Oct 2009: Tsukimi
Tsukimi (月見), the moon-viewing, is a festival related to the moon phases, which takes place on the 15th night of the 8th month, calculated by the traditional Japanese lunisolar calendar. By the modern calendar, it usually fall on the ... »
Read more » 38 comments 21 Sep 2009: Shubun no hi
Shubun no hi ( 秋分の日 ), the Autumnal Equinox Day, is a national holiday in Japan since 1948. Because it's related to an astronomical event, the date of this holiday varies slightly, falling around September 23nd.It ... »
Read more » 21 comments 10 Jul 2009: Hozuki Ichi (Chinese lantern plant fair)
Since the Edo period, the Hozuki Ichi (Chinese Lantern Plant Fair) is held on every year, on July 9th and 10th, at the Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa. Hozuki it's cultivated as an ornamental plant and as a medicinal herb, used by pregnant women to ... »
Read more » 25 comments 06 Jul 2009: Travel impressions from Tanabata
I like Japanese festivals, Buddhist and Shinto alike, they transpose me into their magical world, with kami, supernatural beings and romantic stories, they make me see the world with child's eyes and enjoy simple things. Perhaps the most romantic ... »
Read more » 69 comments
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2200+ FriendFeed subscribers 17 May 2012: Only in Nara 
Rickshaws are definitely a traditional tourist attraction in Japan... but today ... »
Read more » 14 comments 16 May 2012: Kanda Shrine's Fireproof Gate 
The Kanda Shrine, known also as Kanda Myojin, is one of the must-see shrines in ... »
Read more » 36 comments 15 May 2012: Minato Mirai Pukari Pier during golden hour 
I like taking photos during sunset, especially photos with buildings. When the ... »
Read more » 35 comments 14 May 2012: Old Japanese stories, the Goddess from Matsumoto Castle's ceiling 
Many places in Japan have their own fantasy stories and folktales, with ghosts, ... »
Read more » 41 comments 13 May 2012: Travel destinations for kids, Saitama Railway Museum Park Zone 
I was always amazed about the great interest of Japanese people in everything ... »
Read more » 44 comments
"A friend calculated that since I started working on this website, I lived in Japan approx. 8% of my life. Is this much or little? If you ask my family and friends, it’s a lot. I agree that it’s a lot more than a normal traveler spends in a foreign country… but if you ask me, this is just the beginning.
I want to share with you my travels through Japan and my readings about this wonderful culture, to see Japan through my eyes, from the temples and shrines to the cities and people of Japan, from places filled with history and spirituality, to the the modern Japan with skyscrapers and pop culture."
Muza-chan's Gate to Japan includes:
» Travel notes on visiting Japan, travel reviews, sightseeing, tourist attractions, historical and cultural facts, travel photos, travel tips
» A series of daily Japan photos, covering Japan places (Tokyo, Yokohama, Kamakura, Nikko...), traditional and modern Japanese culture, lifestyle, architecture, people, interesting facts
» Japan's most famous customs and traditions with photos, videos, stories, background and historical information plus some travel tips
» Daily selections of Japanese music (J-Pop, J-Rock, traditional music, enka and more...)
These works are licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 License
If you quote or use photos from this site, you must provide a backlink to muza-chan.net
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