Wintertime in Hiroshima means many things to many people. To some people, it means oysters, mikan, and nihonshu. These are great winter indulgences, but they are for a different article....[ Click to read more ]
In Japan, celebrating New Year is all about 'firsts.' Perhaps the most important 'first' is the first trip to a shrine, a tradition called hatsumode. While this visit can happen...[ Click to read more ]
Tokyo IS good food. In my opinion, the food in Tokyo is the best part of Tokyo! You can get pretty much anything in Tokyo at any time, and Christmas...[ Click to read more ]
Even with coronavirus still weaving its microbial hooks into every facet of society, The heartbeat of the typical Japanese winter around Greater Tokyo barely skips a beat. As long as...[ Click to read more ]
Wintertime around these parts usually means either taking in some winter sports like skiing and snowboarding or soaking in one of the numerous hot spring onsens around the countryside surrounding the...[ Click to read more ]
Christmas Day in Japan is just another working day for the most part. The most interesting facet of the Christmas and holiday season in Japan is that all traces of...[ Click to read more ]
Because Japan is over 70% mountainous and located in the temperate latitudes of the western Pacific where the moist ocean air continually does battle with dry, cold Siberian and Mongolian...[ Click to read more ]
While less than 1% of Japan's population identifies themselves as Christian, Japanese families still look forward to and enjoy Christmas festivities in their own distinctly Japanese way. Encouraged by businesses...[ Click to read more ]
Across Hiroshima Prefecture, early to mid-January involves one final, festive bit of housekeeping with regard to the year just passed. Part of ‘Koshagatsu,’ which marks the traditional lunar new year,...[ Click to read more ]
[caption id="attachment_31602" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Oden, a Japanese winter favorite[/caption] As a Brit, I am used to winters being cold, wet and miserable, with skies as grey as the faces shielded...[ Click to read more ]