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 ... »
Read more » 189 comments 16 Dec 2011: 50 Original Japanese Christmas Songs
Being an "imported" holiday, the Christmas in Japan is a commercial event, not a religious celebration. However, there are many customs related to Christmas that almost became "tradition" in Japan: the Christmas parties, gifts, ... »
Read more » 213 comments 12 Dec 2011: Where to travel in Japan? 7 Must See Tokyo Christmas Illuminations
If you like Christmas illuminations, Tokyo is a must see. There are so many places to enjoy during the winter holidays that you can spend every night outside, strolling under wonderful lights. End even if you go to Tokyo after the ... »
Read more » 117 comments 23 Nov 2011: Two Years of Daily Japan Photos, Top 12 Readers Choice
The time has come to celebrate the second anniversary of the daily Japan Photo series. For me, the task of publishing a photo from Japan has become a part of the daily life and I must confess that I really love to do it. I hope the fact ... »
Read more » 116 comments 21 Jul 2011: Tokyo Steampunk, Hayao Miyazaki's NI-TELE Really BIG Clock
The term Steampunk was coined in April 1987 by the American writer Kevin Wayne Jeter, in a letter to the Locus magazine. Defined as a sub-genre of science fiction, alternate history and speculative fiction, steampunk is characterized by ... »
Read more » 150 comments 27 Jun 2011: Akihabara Maids, Let's Uchimizu!
In the old times, before the air conditioning, the Japanese people developed traditional ways to help cooling off during hot summer days... One very interesting technique, still largely practiced, is the use of the traditional furin. ... »
Read more » 85 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 ... »
Read more » 98 comments 27 Mar 2011: How to Help Japan's Earthquake and Tsunami Survivors by giving to Japanese Organizations
The following article is part of the Blog for Japan event, initiated by my friend Todd Wassel, a wonderful travel blogger and an experienced development and relief specialist. It is wonderful that a lot of people want to help Japan's ... »
Read more » 87 comments 16 Mar 2011: Miso, a Radiation Treatment?
Because of the recent unfortunate events, the radiation becomes more and more a concern for everybody. In the wake of these events, Anne, a friend from Canada, sent me a very, very interesting piece of advice, in the hope that it might ... »
Read more » 80 comments 26 Jan 2011: 12 Views of Rainbow Bridge
Crossing Tokyo Bay and connecting the Odaiba artificial island to the Shibaura Pier, Rainbow Bridge is the largest bridge in Tokyo. Rainbow Bridge, View from Odaiba The construction started in 1987 and was completed 6 years ... »
Read more » 48 comments 22 Nov 2010: One Year of Daily Japan Photos... Top 10 Visitors Choice
Exactly one year ago, on November 23rd, I started the Daily Japan Photo series. It is my favorite subject, I am doing it with great pleasure and, over the year, the daily photos have proven to be your favorites, too!So at this ... »
Read more » 64 comments 24 Oct 2010: 30 Must Have Souvenirs from Japan... and some Travel Tips
Did ever happened to you to be in a foreign country, to wish to bring home some souvenir and to be unable to decide what to buy? In Japan, this may be an interesting topic, since there are so many options...From my experience, I ... »
Read more » 189 comments 18 Oct 2010: Tokyo After Dark
When it comes to Tokyo, we are used to see night photos filled with light. However, late in the night, it comes a time when many lights are turned off and even Tokyo is getting darker. But it's still beautiful:The red veins of the city ... »
Read more » 55 comments 29 Sep 2010: Kidai Shoran - A Glimpse of Life in Japan 200 years ago
Passing through the Tokyo Metro Mitsukoshimae Station, you may notice a huge paper scroll, over 17 meters long, displayed on the wall of the corridor connecting the station with the Mitsukoshi department store:Kidai Shoran - ... »
Read more » 46 comments 13 Sep 2010: 7 Views of Tokyo Sky Tree
It surpassed the height of 400 meters and it is already the tallest artificial structure in Japan. However, it is still in construction, far from the final height of 634 meters... ... »
Read more » 68 comments 06 Sep 2010: 12 Views of Tokyo Tower
Tokyo Tower was the world's tallest steel tower and a symbol of Tokyo for over 50 years.Now, Tokyo Tower is probably living its last months of glory, until the inauguration of the new Tokyo Sky Tree, which will certainly become the ... »
Read more » 76 comments 20 Jul 2010: Tokyo Sky Tree building site Photo Report
About 11 months ago, I was writing about the construction of the Tokyo Sky Tree tower. Yesterday, I went again to visit the construction site, to see how the work progressed.Well, 2 years after the start of construction, the progress ... »
Read more » 64 comments 24 May 2010: Top 10 Most liked Photos of the Half year
You probably already know that I like top lists, especially around anniversary dates. So, since yesterday was the 6 months anniversary of the "A Japan Photo per Day" series, I thought to find out which were the most appreciated photos ... »
Read more » 73 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 ... »
Read more » 57 comments 27 Apr 2010: The Japanese Torii, 20 Amazing Vintage Photos
Even from the first visit to Japan, I was fascinated with torii, the gates marking the entrance to the Shinto shrines.Torii at Futarasan Shrine, NikkoAlthough an usual part of the Japanese landscape, the origins of torii are ... »
Read more » 99 comments 22 Apr 2010: A Photo Visit to a Japanese Flea Market
For me, a visit to the flea market is always an opportunity to see (and eventually learn) new "old" things. Because you never know what you can find... and even more so in Japan. ;) ... »
Read more » 49 comments 29 Mar 2010: Harajuku Fashion Photo Essay, Takeshita Dori
A walk on Takeshita Dori represents a unique experience, even if you're not interested in shopping or in Japanese fashion trends.Takeshita Dori EntranceLocated right across the Harajuku Station, Takeshita Dori, a narrow street ... »
Read more » 51 comments 15 Mar 2010: 12 Sakura Manhole Covers
The main role of the relief drawings from the manhole covers is to prevent wheel slipping and potential accidents, especially when the metallic surface is wet.However, only in Japan, the manhole covers (manhoru) gained an ornamental ... »
Read more » 117 comments 05 Mar 2010: The Japanese Officer - 30 Years in War Mission
36 years ago, on March 9 1974, Lieutenant Hiroo Onoda, from the Japanese Imperial Army Intelligence, surrendered after almost 30 years of hiding on a Philippine island.Hiroo Onoda as a young officer, image via Wikipedia In ... »
Read more » 41 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 ... »
Read more » 62 comments 25 Feb 2010: 20 Japan Top Lists
Dear friends, welcome to the Japan Blog Matsuri, February 2010 Edition!This month, 20 Japan bloggers united to provide you with an amazing set of Japan Top Lists, covering a great variety of subjects: tourism, technology, finance, ... »
Read more » 72 comments 15 Feb 2010: What to do in Japan? 33 Must See Japanese Scenes
Japan was and remains a unique place. Whether we talk about traditional festivals or traditional theater, religion or pop culture, architecture or transport, food or clothing, martial arts or games, you can see in Japan unique scenes, ... »
Read more » 131 comments 08 Feb 2010: 26 Beautiful Vintage Photos of Mount Fuji
Japan's love for Mount Fuji, the most famous place in Japan, remained unchanged over the years. Fuji-san (富士山) is definitely the most represented place from Japan, starting with the ukiyo-e paintings, continuing with ... »
Read more » 211 comments 05 Feb 2010: 40 great vintage Geisha Photos
Today we almost cannot think about traveling somewhere without taking photos, with more or less sophisticated cameras or at least with the mobile phone...A hundred years ago however, when the first westerners started visiting Japan, ... »
Read more » 90 comments 29 Jan 2010: Top 6 'Giant Robots' Japanese Attractions
The "robot anime" (ロボット, robotto) (known outside Japan as mecha anime) is a Japanese animation genre featuring walking robots (called mecha), usually bipedal, with arms and hands able to use objects and ... »
Read more » 90 comments 15 Jan 2010: The Japanese Soldier
38 years ago, on January 24 1972, two residents from Guam discovered Shoichi Yokoi, a Japanese soldier who was hiding in the jungle for... 28 years.Shoichi Yokoi, preparing to return to civilization, image via Wikipedia When ... »
Read more » 43 comments 08 Jan 2010: Japanese Giant Tombs
From time to time, searching for travel destinations, I stumble across interesting things in Google Maps, like the huge drawing with Earth-kun. This time, browsing the Google Earth near Osaka, my attention was suddenly drawn to some... ... »
Read more » 53 comments 15 Dec 2009: 7 Reasons Why Japanese Trains Are Different
Anyone who experienced the Japanese trains has a story to tell... There are hundreds of stories about the punctuality, the speed or the cleanness of the Japanese trains. Nevertheless, what makes the Japanese trains so different? Of ... »
Read more » 176 comments 08 Dec 2009: A Spiritual Look at the Great Buddha of Kamakura
The Great Buddha from Kamakura (Daibutsu) represents the Amida Buddha (in Japanese Amida Nyorai), the Buddha of the Infinite Light, the main Deity of the Buddhist Sect Jodo (Pure Land).Actually, Buddha is not a name, but a ... »
Read more » 78 comments 01 Dec 2009: Top 10 Tokyo Skyscrapers Short Guide
If we compare the Tokyo's tallest buildings with the skyscrapers from other countries, most probably they won't impress much: the tallest building from Tokyo is only the 145th in the world, with a height of 248 meters, while the tallest ... »
Read more » 113 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, ... »
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 ... »
Read more » 40 comments 06 Nov 2009: Japanese Yukata Photo Essay
In Japan, old and new are joined not only in architecture, but also in the dressing style. One of the main aspects I love about Japan is the fact that it is one of the few modern countries where the traditional dressing is still ... »
Read more » 57 comments 30 Oct 2009: 12 Bird's Eye View Photos of Yokohama
I think that the best place to admire Yokohama from high above is from the heights of the Yokohama Landmark Tower. If the weather is good the landscape is stunning, and you can see as far as Hakone, the Tanzawa Mountains and sometimes, ... »
Read more » 64 comments 23 Oct 2009: Japanese garden photowalk - Tsurugaoka Hachimangu ponds
One of the most beautiful places in Kamakura is the Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, built in 1180 by Minamoto no Yoritomo, the first shogun of the Kamakura Shogunate.There are a lot of interesting things to be said about this ... »
Read more » 48 comments 16 Oct 2009: Ema and Lucky Star - From Shinto tradition to Anime
In the old times in Japan, it was a custom for wealthy families to donate horses to shrines, as part of the invocations and a sign of respect for kami. In time, this practice changed, first the donations became horse statues and finally ... »
Read more » 71 comments 09 Oct 2009: The pirate ships from Hakone
As a child, I was fascinated by adventure books with explorers and pirates and I was dreaming of sailing away... I know, it's unusual for a girl, but I even learned some sailing and navigation terms. So, when I visited Hakone, I ... »
Read more » 39 comments 25 Sep 2009: Akihabara Maids, candid shots in Akiba
The first maid cafe (メイドカフェ, Meido kafe) in Akihabara, the coffee shops where the waitresses are dressed as maids, appeared in 2001. In time, they become one of the Akihabara ... »
Read more » 68 comments 11 Sep 2009: Japanese garden photowalk, Hasedera
A photowalk through the amazing Japanese garden inside the Hasedera Temple from Kamakura. It's an oasis of peace and silence... so I'll let the following 14 photos to speak for themselves: O plimbare foto prin superbă ... »
Read more » 59 comments 02 Sep 2009: Good Bye, Gundam!
The time has come to say Good Bye to the life-size Gundam statue from Odaiba! For now, it is unknown what will be the fate of the statue after dismantling. I hope that after some time we will see it again, somewhere.Click on photo ... »
Read more » 59 comments 17 Aug 2009: 30 detailed Gundam photos
Finally, the time has come to visit Odaiba and, of course, the Gundam. Many photos were published until now (my favorites are shibuya246's), but the modelist in me wasn't satisfied yet... I wanted more details!I took a lot of ... »
Read more » 21 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 ... »
Read more » 69 comments 20 Jun 2009: Travel tips for visiting Tokyo
When I make plans for holiday, in addition to maps and data about the places I wish to visit, I always search travel tips and information about discounts for tourists.After accommodation and meals, I spend the most on ... »
Read more » 27 comments 21 May 2009: My favorite place in Japan, Meiji Jingu
Not infrequently, events I couldn't control and that messed up my tight schedule, where more good than bad. An event like this happened on my first visit to Meiji Jingu, when a strong rain caught me, probably not by accident, next to the ... »
Read more » 32 comments 20 Apr 2009: A Summer Night at Senso-ji
During my first visit in Tokyo, I stayed at a hotel in Asakusa. Arriving early, after I left my luggage at reception, until the hour when I could check-in the room, I took a walk in the area, eager to see the places I have read about. ... »
Read more » 17 comments
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2200+ FriendFeed subscribers 17 May 2012: A Japanese Song per Day: Tomoyasu Hotei - Russian Roulette 
Tomoyasu Hotei - Russian ... »
Read more » 17 May 2012: Only in Nara 
Rickshaws are definitely a traditional tourist attraction in Japan... but today you can experience ... »
Read more » 20 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 Tokyo. Even if ... »
Read more » 37 comments 15 May 2012: Minato Mirai Pukari Pier during golden hour 
I like taking photos during sunset, especially photos with buildings. When the sun sets, there is a ... »
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, gods and ... »
Read more » 42 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 related to trains. ... »
Read more » 44 comments 12 May 2012: What to see in Tokyo - Life-size Gundam is back for good in Odaiba 
After the huge success from 2009, when the life-size statue of the iconic RX-78-2 Gundam was first ... »
Read more » 52 comments 11 May 2012: Old and New at Tokyo Station 
Usually, I like my photos to be simple and to the point, capturing the viewer's attention to a ... »
Read more » 52 comments 10 May 2012: Masterpieces of Japanese architecture, Iidabashi Station 
For architecture lovers, Japan offers many "must-see" sights. Besides many well known architectural ... »
Read more » 72 comments 09 May 2012: Ryogoku Bridge 
Probably the most famous bridge over the Sumida River is Ryōgoku: first built in 1659, it even ... »
Read more » 31 comments 08 May 2012: Asakusa Sanja-sama 
One of the main tourist attractions from Tokyo, the Senso-ji complex draws many visitors who come ... »
Read more » 49 comments 07 May 2012: Popular Japanese treats, Kakigori 
For me, the best way to cool off during a hot summer day in Japan is kakigōri ... »
Read more » 51 comments 06 May 2012: Shinto torii, Buddhist temple 
Discussing these days with a group of people preparing to visit Japan, I realized that while ... »
Read more » 36 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 ... »
Read more » 43 comments 04 May 2012: Japanese traditional houses in Nara and a travel tip 
In many of the traditional cities from Japan, the old merchant districts are amongst the most ... »
Read more » 55 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 ... »
Read more » 85 comments 02 May 2012: Narita Shoutendo 
Today, I would just like to show you a small building discovered inside the complex of the ... »
Read more » 29 comments 01 May 2012: Japanese Companies, Circle K Sunkus 
Traveling through Japan, I frequently buy food from convenience stores (konbini) and I often met ... »
Read more » 48 comments 30 Apr 2012: Tokyo Architecture, Asakusa Station 
The first metro line from Asia was opened in 1927 in Tokyo, connecting Ueno to Asakusa. It was the ... »
Read more » 44 comments 29 Apr 2012: Story of a Haiku, Matsuo Basho's frog 
Last year, I started following the trails of the haiku master Matsuo Bashō in Tokyo, Fukagawa, ... »
Read more » 45 comments 28 Apr 2012: Genkyu-en Garden Wooden Bridges 
Bridges are one of the main traits of a promenade type Japanese garden, graciously connecting ... »
Read more » 52 comments 27 Apr 2012: Ueno colors - Hot summer night 
While going through some summer photos, I stumbled over this night view of the Ueno elevated ... »
Read more » 39 comments 26 Apr 2012: Japanese castle interior, warriors running passage 
A thought that crossed my mind while visiting several of the Japanese castles with original ... »
Read more » 77 comments 25 Apr 2012: Yokohama Minato Mirai 21 aerial panorama 
A great travel destination, Minato Mirai 21 from Yokohama should be one of the must see Japanese ... »
Read more » 51 comments 24 Apr 2012: Miyajima Beauty - Pagoda and Senjokaku 
Renowned for its spectacular Itsukushima Shrine, whose Otorii is one of Japan's symbols, the ... »
Read more » 51 comments 23 Apr 2012: Japanese Sento Art, Mount Fuji 
Many Japanese sentō baths have painted walls, with various motifs, especially landscapes. ... »
Read more » 48 comments 22 Apr 2012: Traditional Japanese clothing - Fundoshi 
Visiting Japan, one thing you'll notice everywhere are people wearing traditional clothing. Ladies ... »
Read more » 39 comments 21 Apr 2012: A glimpse of old Japan, Tsukishima streets 
Visiting Japan, you will be fascinated by many attractions, but you will certainly want to ... »
Read more » 47 comments 20 Apr 2012: Tallest Clock Tower in the World, night view 
One of the best known skyscrapers in Tokyo is the NTT DoCoMo Yoyogi Building, the building ranked ... »
Read more » 71 comments 19 Apr 2012: Karamon, gate with Dragons and Legends 
Many of the temples built by the Tokugawa family were built with gates adorned with karahafu roofs, ... »
Read more » 65 comments 18 Apr 2012: Spectacular Japanese landscape from Chuo line 
Three months ago I was telling you about my trip on the Chūō Line that offered me the ... »
Read more » 49 comments 17 Apr 2012: Simply beautiful Japanese scenes, Hakone 
When I published, 10 days ago, the photo titled Simply beautiful in Meiji Jingu, I thought it would ... »
Read more » 73 comments 16 Apr 2012: Searching for the Tengu, Izuna Gongen-do 
Tengu are supernatural creatures from the Japanese traditional mythology, said to live in some of ... »
Read more » 39 comments 15 Apr 2012: Popular Japanese treats, Ringo Ame 
Candied fruits and especially candied apples, ringo ame ... »
Read more » 32 comments 14 Apr 2012: Nagoya Castle, the Wall of Swords 
Besides its imposing, 5-storey main donjon, the Nagoya Castle also features a closely located, ... »
Read more » 58 comments 13 Apr 2012: Buying Souvenirs in Kyoto 
Right from my first visit to Japan, I was surprised and delighted by the quantity and variety of ... »
Read more » 46 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 ... »
Read more » 73 comments 11 Apr 2012: Snapshooting Tokyo Sky Tree 
With only six weeks until the grand opening of Tokyo Sky Tree (on May 22), I noticed on the ... »
Read more » 50 comments 10 Apr 2012: Tokyo Architecture, Riverside Yomiuri Building 
On the shores of the Sumida river, close to Kiyosu Bridge, you will notice a slightly unusual ... »
Read more » 39 comments 09 Apr 2012: Japanese spiritual architecture, Yashamon Gate 
The complex of temples and shrines from Nikko constitutes one of the most representative places of ... »
Read more » 47 comments 08 Apr 2012: Roppongi Hills Arena wide-angle and some musings on photography 
As you know, I love photographing buildings and architecture. But many times during my first trips ... »
Read more » 46 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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