- Japanese superlatives, Totekiko, the small...
- Miso, a Radiation Treatment?
- Masterpieces of Japanese architecture, Iid...
Generally, the Japanese Zen gardens are small, covering just dozens of square meters. The reason is that the viewer must be able to see the entire garden, to understand the symbolic meanings. Some of them are very small, just a few square meters... ... »
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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 help some ... »
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For architecture lovers, Japan offers many "must-see" sights. Besides many well known architectural landmarks, over time I discovered a lot of hidden gems, architectural jewels lost in the backstreets, like the one in this photo, the Iidabashi ... »
Read more » 81 comments 19 Jun 2013: A Japanese company with an unlikely name, Lotteria
Although the name is somehow misleading, Lotteria is a Japanese company and it's not related to any lottery. It is, in fact, a... fast-food restaurants chain. The parent company is called Lotte ... »
25 comments 14 Jun 2013: Japanese traditional architecture, Tsukiagedo
Unlike the Western houses, which were using glass windows since the 17th century, the traditional Japanese houses were built with windows covered with semi-opaque washi paper, which let the light ... »
35 comments 12 Jun 2013: Japanese traditional architecture, the last tower of Tsuruga Castle
After it was conquered by the Imperial Army at the end of the Boshin War, Tsuruga-jo, the castle from Aizu-Wakamatsu was demolished by the order of the Emperor in 1874. But one of the castle's ... »
48 comments 07 Jun 2013: Japanese castle architecture, Honmaru
Although not always visible today, the Japanese castles were originally surrounded by defense walls, very much like the European castles. However, today only gates or parts of the inner walls are ... »
41 comments 05 Jun 2013: Tokyo architecture, Tochomae Station Stargate Ring
Tochōmae is a station on the Toei Subway Ōedo Line, located in the skyscraper district of Nishi-Shinjuku, under the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, also known as Tochō (hence ... »
30 comments 22 May 2013: Japanese traditional architecture - Gatou roof tiles
Visiting Japan, you will surely notice the traditional Japanese roofs, using very specific decorations, like the prominent Oni-gawara roof tiles.A little less outstanding but with a great visual ... »
38 comments 21 May 2013: The first modern bronze statue in Japan
The first bronze statue in Japan was erected in 1880 inside the Kenroku-en Garden in Kanazawa, to honor the samurai fallen during the Satsuma Rebellion against the Imperial government. The statue ... »
34 comments 18 May 2013: Shinto Shrines, Suzu
As you know very well, I love taking photos, but I rarely record videos. I feel that the best way to express myself is through photos... But I was always passionate about music and sounds... and ... »
28 comments 15 May 2013: An American street in Tokyo
At the end of the Edo period, Ginza was just like any other Japanese street: with narrow streets and wooden buildings (take a look at the photos from the Ginza Official history page).The first ... »
39 comments 12 May 2013: Japanese spirituality, the boat of stones from Kinkaku-ji, Kyoto
The well known complex which includes the golden pavilion and the surrounding garden from Kinkaku-ji, Kyoto was designed to symbolically represent the paradise of Amida Buddha, so each element has ... »
42 comments 11 May 2013: Traditional Japanese scenery, the Cherry tree and the Orange tree
The set of dolls for Hina Matsuri, even in its most simple version (with only two dolls, Emperor and Empress), features two trees (or their respective symbols): the orange tree, always placed on the ... »
32 comments 28 Apr 2013: Bonbori, Japanese traditional lighting equipment
One of the most typical and traditional models of Japanese paper lanterns is the bonbori: the paper is applied on a hexagonal wooden frame, with the top left open.Unlike the better known ... »
30 comments 04 Apr 2013: Japanese gardens, the Lying down Dragon Bridge
The Japanese gardens featuring ponds are always including at least one bridge and some of them are extremely beautiful (search "Japanese+garden+bridge"). But besides the common "bridge" concept, some ... »
51 comments 28 Mar 2013: Inside the traditional Japanese house, Doma
Visiting the inside of a traditional Japanese farmhouse, you will find two distinct zones: one with a wooden floor, raised from the ground to accommodate the irori fireplace, and one covered only by ... »
30 comments 27 Mar 2013: Masterpieces of Japanese traditional architecture, Nijiriguchi
Chashitsu, the Japanese traditional tea-houses, are made with two entrances: one is a regular door, while the other is an incredibly small panel, about 65 centimeters tall and 60 centimeters ... »
62 comments 21 Mar 2013: Omamori, Japanese good luck charms
One of the most popular Japanese customs, common to both Shinto and Buddhist traditions, is the use of good luck charms, omamori. Sold at both Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples, omamori are so ... »
57 comments 18 Mar 2013: Shinto Shrine, Gohei
Besides the torii gates, one of the most recognizable shapes of the Shinto religion is the zigzag shaped paper streamer called shide. Most often, they can be seen tied to a braided rice straw rope ... »
37 comments 17 Mar 2013: Hundreds of Kamon stamps
Unlike the European heraldry blazons, made with multiple colors, the Japanese kamon (crest) is monochromatic. This makes them suitable for stamps and a huge amount of kamon stamps were made over ... »
30 comments 28 Feb 2013: Traditional Japanese clothing, Miko red hakama
While visiting the Shinto shrines, you can't help but notice the girls dressed in white shirts and bright red hakama. They are miko - shrine maidens - and their uniform is one of the few cases when ... »
57 comments 14 Feb 2013: Kilometre Zero of Japan's Railways
The marking of the Kilometre Zero is popular in many countries and Japan is no exception. I found two such markers in Japan: one is the KM 0 for the roads, located on the Nihonbashi bridge in Tokyo, ... »
38 comments 13 Feb 2013: Traditional Japanese Renjishi Dolls
There's a wide variety of traditional Japanese dolls, sometimes classified by how they are made, other times by what they represent. Most of them are easy to identify: geisha, noble ladies or ... »
52 comments 08 Feb 2013: World's longest suspended monorail
With 10 currently operating monorail systems and many other experiments and discontinued lines, Japan is probably the country with the highest density of monorails in the world. Among them, three ... »
50 comments 07 Feb 2013: Hama-rikyu, Japanese garden with seawater
Over 400 years ago, the area south-east of today's Shiodome, Tokyo, was covered by a swamp (Shiodome means "keep out the tide"). The marshland was drained in 1603 by the order of Shogun Tokugawa ... »
39 comments 03 Feb 2013: Traditional Japanese clothing, Hakama and its meanings
Originally, the samurai were wearing hakama only when riding the horse, because it was meant to protect their legs, like the chaps worn by the cowboys. But in time, the hakama became a symbol of the ... »
54 comments 15 Jan 2013: Hundreds of statues with hats
In many Japanese Buddhist temples, you will notice rows of dozens or even hundreds of cute stone statues, "dressed" with bibs, various hats and beads... Usually the garments are red, because in the ... »
43 comments 14 Jan 2013: Seijin no hi, girls dressed in furisode
In the second Monday of January, Japan celebrates the Coming of Age Day (Seijin no Hi), a ceremony for the young adults reaching the age of 20 during the current school year. 20 years is the age of ... »
60 comments 22 Dec 2012: Japanese traditional house, Shoji
One of the most striking elements of the Japanese house is shoji, the traditional screen. Made from a wooden frame covered by washi (Japanese traditional paper), the shoji can be used as a sliding ... »
41 comments 20 Dec 2012: Shinto Shrine, Kagami
According to The Chronicles of Japan (Nihon Shoki), the goddess Amaterasu Omikami gave her nephew Ninigi-no-mikoto three celestial gifts, known as the three Sacred Imperial treasures (the Imperial ... »
55 comments 13 Dec 2012: Japanese waterproof technique, Namako wall
Because the traditional Japanese house, built from wood and paper, was completely unprotected against fire, the supplies and valuables were kept in a storehouse (kura in Japanese). Kura was also made ... »
59 comments 09 Dec 2012: Kanda Myojin tethered horse
I was writing half a year ago about how to identify Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples and about the exceptions from the gate-torii rule. One remarkable exception is the Kanda Myojin Shrine from ... »
42 comments 08 Dec 2012: Japanese thatched roofs
The traditional Japanese house is made from natural materials only: the walls are made of wood and paper, while the tatami mats are made of rice straw. And the roof is no exception, being made of ... »
34 comments 02 Dec 2012: Shinto Shrines, Onusa
Because the Shinto religion is specific to Japan and cannot be found anywhere else in the world, it is quite hard for a foreigner to find information about the items seen inside a shrine. That's why, ... »
48 comments 22 Nov 2012: Japanese architecture, the Kyoto Tower controversy
I was writing a month ago about the Tokyo skyscraper history, mentioning the Building Standard Law, a law which was in effect in Tokyo until 1963, forbidding the construction of commercial buildings ... »
40 comments 14 Nov 2012: Shinboku, the sacred tree
Besides man-made structures like buildings, statues and torii, another important element of a Shinto shrine is always a tree. Called shinboku 「神木」, "sacred tree", you can ... »
35 comments 11 Nov 2012: Tsukimi turret, how to see the moon three times
One of the special features of the Matsumoto Castle is its Tsukimi "Moon-viewing" turret. This is a one floor tower with a single room, with large windows, wide-open in three directions (north, south ... »
47 comments 10 Nov 2012: Hachiko's anniversary
There are 6 native Japanese dog breeds: Akita, Kai Ken, Shikoku, Kishu, Hokkaidō and Shiba Inu. Otosan, a Hokkaidō dog who appeared in numerous SoftBank commercials over the last years, is ... »
37 comments 09 Nov 2012: Shinto architecture, Tamagaki
One thing you will surely notice while visiting the Japanese Shinto shrines will be the enclosures surrounding the sacred areas. Called tamagaki, these wooden, stone or concrete fences are part of ... »
43 comments 07 Nov 2012: Unusual Japanese traditional architecture, Inu-yarai
Visiting the old districts from Kyoto, while admiring the beautiful traditional Japanese streets, one of the most unusual features you will notice is that many houses have some sort of... skirts. ... »
54 comments 05 Nov 2012: Japanese castle walls, Uchikomihagi
Important elements of the Japanese castle's defensive systems, the curtain walls were built by using several different methods, classified today according to the stone work or by the way the wall was ... »
39 comments 03 Nov 2012: Kiyomizu-dera gates
The entrance to the Japanese Buddhist temples is usually marked by one or more gates and an interesting fact is that every gate has a name. These names are given according to various, but rigorous ... »
42 comments 01 Nov 2012: The frogs from Meoto Iwa
On the beach of the city of Ise, right near the Meoto Iwa "wedded rocks", there is a little shrine featuring a large number of statues representing... frogs. This unusual shrine is dedicated to ... »
42 comments 31 Oct 2012: Japanese Traditional Crafts - Gold leaf
The production of the Japanese gold leaf started in Kanazawa 400 years ago, during the reign of Maeda Toshiie, the lord of the Kaga clan. The humid weather of Kanazawa and the clean water from this ... »
38 comments 18 Oct 2012: Zen Architecture - Katomado
At some Japanese Zen Buddhist temples, you will see an architectural element of great beauty: the Katōmado window. According to the original kanji writing, 火灯窓 katōmado ... »
47 comments 16 Oct 2012: Remembering the Dog Shogun's days
After dozens of cities visited, I never saw a stray dog in Japan... But it wasn't always like this: during the time of shogun Tokugawa Tsunayoshi, stray dogs were roaming freely in Edo and their ... »
42 comments 15 Oct 2012: A very Japanese phone booth
Traveling through Japan, I noticed almost everywhere a special care for detail and harmony. Sometimes, the Japanese architects are going to unusual lengths to ensure it: one example is this phone ... »
44 comments 14 Oct 2012: Kyoto Fushimi Inari Taisha Kagura-den
Since the old times, the traditional Shinto ceremonies featured sacred dances as offerings for kami. Originally, these dances were performed on temporary platforms raised near the shrine, but during ... »
42 comments 10 Oct 2012: Inuyama Castle's protector tree
In Japan, in every Shinto shrine you will see a tree, usually a very old one, which is considered sacred. The explanation is that these trees are providing a place for the gods and spirits (kami), so ... »
28 comments 09 Oct 2012: Tokyo, Ultra-short Skyscraper history
Compared to other large cities, the vertical development of Tokyo begun relatively recently: while in New York the first building over 200 meters was built in 1909 (the Metropolitan Life Tower), up ... »
31 comments 08 Oct 2012: Itsukushima Shrine Taka-Butai
The first shrine on the Miyajima Island was built in 593, but the building was smaller than the one we know today. The shrine was rebuilt at the end of the Heian period, during the reign of Taira no ... »
44 comments 02 Oct 2012: Abeno Harukas, the New Tallest Building in Japan
Japan's new tallest building is now officially taller than the previous record holder: the Abeno Harukas building from Osaka, still in construction, has recently surpassed the Yokohama Landmark Tower ... »
30 comments 16 Aug 2012: Traditional Japanese house, Irori
In the kitchen or in the main living room, the fireplace (irori in Japanese) is the hearth of the traditional Japanese house and one of its specific features. Irori is built as a square sunken pit, ... »
55 comments 07 Aug 2012: Japanese architecture, Osaka Cosmo Tower
One of the most elegant skyscrapers from Japan is the Osaka Prefectural Government Sakishima Building, known also as the Cosmo Tower (and formerly known as Osaka World Trade Center Building). With a ... »
30 comments 30 Jul 2012: Horse-Dragon
One of the most interesting things to see at the Toshogu Shrine from Nikko are the sculptures... there are 5173 of them... Only on the Yomeimon Gate there are 508 sculptures and 194 are representing ... »
38 comments 25 Jul 2012: Kyoto Fushimi Inari Main Gate
Best known for Senbon torii, the over 5000 vermillion torii gates, the shrine Fushimi Inari Taisha from Kyoto is also famous for its large number of kitsune (foxes) statues. Messengers of Inari, the ... »
54 comments 19 Jul 2012: Traditional Japanese house, Tokonoma
The interior of a traditional Japanese house has a unique design, with many specific elements. One of these elements is tokonoma (from toko, "floor" and ma, "space" or "room") a slightly raised ... »
68 comments 17 Jul 2012: Japanese spiritual architecture - Shime, the simplest torii
Torii, the well known Japanese gate that marks the entrance to the sacred grounds of the Shinto shrines, is usually made from two vertical pillars (hashira in Japanese) with a large horizontal beam ... »
45 comments 16 Jul 2012: Japanese architecture - Tokyo Big Sight
Tokyo Big Sight is the nickname of the Tokyo International Exhibition Center, the largest convention center from Japan, very popular among the anime fans because of the Comiket and the Tokyo ... »
54 comments 11 Jul 2012: Unique style tower at Hikone Castle
Visiting the Japanese castles, you will notice that there are many types of castle towers - yagura, varying in shape, size and destination. The vast majority were built with military purposes, as ... »
29 comments 09 Jul 2012: Japanese Traditional Architecture, Chigi and Katsuogi
Visiting the Shinto shrines in Japan, you will notice the different styles of architecture, with characteristics such as facade or roof elements. One particularly distinctive element is chigi, the ... »
55 comments 04 Jul 2012: Tallest railway station in the world, JR Central Towers
The center of Nagoya is dominated by the JR Central Towers, a 245-meters tall twin skyscraper, housing the headquarters of the Central Japan Railway Company and the JR Nagoya Station. Since the ... »
45 comments 21 Jun 2012: Incense burning at Senso-ji
Burning incense is used by many cultures throughout the world, for reasons varying from removal of unpleasant smells to sacrificial offerings or warding off bad spirits.In Japan, the custom came ... »
69 comments 20 Jun 2012: The unusual guardian of Kurama-dera
Visiting the Kurama-dera temple from Kyoto, you will surely notice the statues located in front of the main hall. Usually, this kind of statues can be found in front of the Shinto shrines. They ... »
37 comments 18 Jun 2012: Japanese Shrine Etiquette, How to do a Hairei
Visiting a Shinto shrine, after the temizu purification presented yesterday, the next step is to go to the haiden (the shrine's hall of worship) and perform the typical Shinto prayer, the hairei. ... »
51 comments 17 Jun 2012: Japanese Shrine Etiquette, How to do a Temizu
The customs of Shinto, the indigenous religion of Japan, are little known in the world, and since a visit to Japan cannot be complete without a visit to important Shinto shrines, it is good to know a ... »
58 comments 16 Jun 2012: The Treasure from Hie Shrine
Traveling through Japan, you will certainly encounter the National Treasure (国宝 kokuhō) designation for Buddhist temples, Shinto shrines, castles or even residences.The list of ... »
34 comments 14 Jun 2012: Japanese mascots - the controversial Sento-kun from Nara
There are hundreds, maybe thousands of mascots in Japan and generally they are really good. But... there are also exceptions. Here's Sento-kun, a mascot launched 2 years ago, which became famous not ... »
65 comments 11 Jun 2012: Population density, Shibuya scramble crossing crowd
The population density in Tokyo is a little over 6000 people per square kilometer, and it is obviously the most densely populated area in Japan. But what does this mean? I think that the best way to ... »
36 comments 05 Jun 2012: See no evil, Hear no evil, Speak no evil
See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil... Three little monkeys illustrating a very old proverb, known and valued throughout the world, by people from all cultures, from Mahatma Gandhi (who, amongst ... »
26 comments 04 Jun 2012: Kamakura Daibutsu close-up
The Great Buddha (Daibutsu in Japanese) from Kamakura represents the Amida Buddha (Amida Nyorai in Japanese), also known as the Buddha of the Infinite Light, the main Deity of the Buddhist Sect Jodo ... »
45 comments 02 Jun 2012: World's tallest statue of Confucius
With a somber construction and painted in black, the Yushima Seidō Temple from Ochanomizu, Tokyo, is known as the birthplace of scholar education in Japan. The solemn look, so different from ... »
30 comments 01 Jun 2012: Masterpieces of Japanese architecture, Tokyo International Forum, interior wide-angle view
Made of curved steel and glass, the Tokyo International Forum 「東京国際フォーラム」 features one of the most spectacular interiors I ... »
39 comments 23 May 2012: The first zoo monorail in the world
Inaugurated in 1958 as an experiment for new ways to improve urban traffic, the ultra-short Ueno Zoo Monorail Line - by its full name Tōkyō-to Kōtsū-kyoku Ueno Kensui-sen ... »
45 comments 10 May 2012: Masterpieces of Japanese architecture, Iidabashi Station
For architecture lovers, Japan offers many "must-see" sights. Besides many well known architectural landmarks, over time I discovered a lot of hidden gems, architectural jewels lost in the ... »
81 comments 09 May 2012: Ryogoku Bridge
Probably the most famous bridge over the Sumida River is Ryōgoku: first built in 1659, it even has its own song and was painted multiple times by the ukiyo-e master Hiroshige and by many other ... »
31 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 「かき氷」, a Japanese dessert made of shaved ice flavored with various syrups. If ... »
52 comments 06 May 2012: Shinto torii, Buddhist temple
Discussing these days with a group of people preparing to visit Japan, I realized that while everybody knows about the two important religions of Japan, Buddhism and Shinto, few people know how to ... »
36 comments 01 May 2012: Japanese Companies, Circle K Sunkus
Traveling through Japan, I frequently buy food from convenience stores (konbini) and I often met konbini branded with a Circle K or Sunkus mark... and since it looked to be the same chain, I became ... »
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 project of a visionary businessman called Noritsugu Hayakawa, known in Japan as "the father of the ... »
44 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 ... »
39 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 3rd place in the top of Tokyo's tallest skyscrapers. But this building also holds a world record: ... »
71 comments 24 Mar 2012: The story of Yogodo Hall
The story says that in 628, on March 18, two men fishing in the Sumida river caught in their net a statue of Bodhisattva Kannon, the Goddess of Mercy. Realizing the importance of the statue, the head ... »
43 comments 04 Mar 2012: Japanese architecture - Shizuoka Press and Broadcasting Center
At the end of the 1950s, a group of young Japanese architects founded the architectural movement called Metabolism. The name of the movement comes from a term used in biology, referring to the ... »
57 comments 02 Mar 2012: Beautiful Inari Shrine in Matsumoto
One of the most important shrines from Matsumoto, the Jorinji Shrine, is located just 5 minutes walking distance from the JR Matsumoto train station. But when I visited, right next to it, my ... »
62 comments 13 Feb 2012: Japanese architecture, Osaka Broadcasting Station, History Museum and a travel tip
If you like modern architecture, one of the most interesting cities to visit in Japan is Osaka. I already presented a few very interesting skyscrapers like the Gate Tower Building, the Rinku Gate ... »
59 comments 06 Feb 2012: Japanese superlatives, Totekiko, the smallest Japanese Zen rock garden
Generally, the Japanese Zen gardens are small, covering just dozens of square meters. The reason is that the viewer must be able to see the entire garden, to understand the symbolic meanings. Some of ... »
90 comments 04 Feb 2012: Japanese spiritual architecture, Prince Shotoku Hall
Prince Shōtoku is known in the history of Japan as the father of Japanese Buddhism. He established the Shitennoji Temple from Osaka, which is known as the oldest officially administered temple ... »
66 comments 30 Jan 2012: The eucalyptus that survived the atomic bomb
I learned a long time ago about the survivor trees from Hiroshima (called hibaku jumoku in Japanese), the trees that survived the atomic explosion, holly trees, silent witnesses of a horrific event ... »
77 comments 25 Jan 2012: Nagoya Castle, birds-eye view and a travel tip
Built at the orders of shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu, the Nagoya Castle was located in a strategic place, to stop the attacks coming from Osaka. The castle was finished in 1612 while the adjacent Hommaru ... »
46 comments 24 Jan 2012: Yurakucho, a wide-angle street view and a bit of history
Located between Ginza and Hibiya, Yūrakuchō is one of the oldest neighborhoods of Tokyo. A little known fact is that Yūrakuchō developed around the mansion of Oda Nagamasu, the ... »
61 comments 25 Dec 2011: Swarovski Crystal Omotesando Christmas Tree
Even if the Christmas is not a Japanese holiday, Japan managed for several years now to hold a record on the... most expensive Christmas trees. In 2006, the Japanese jeweler Ginza Tanaka created a ... »
35 comments
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"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...)
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