Essential Topics– category –

Cherry Blossoms Cherry blossoms are one of the symbols of Japan. Every spring, many people look forward to seeing them bloom. In Kyushu, cherry blossoms usually begin to bloom in late March. The blooming season then moves northward, and ...

Digital Art: A New Form of Expression Digital art is a new form of art that uses computers and visual technology. In recent years, this field has grown quickly in Japan, and the most well-known example is teamLab. teamLab: Where Art and ...

What Is Kabuki? Kabuki is a traditional Japanese performing art. It started and developed in the Edo period, from the 17th to the 19th century. Kabuki has unique movements and rhythmic speech. It also uses colorful makeup and gorgeous co...

What Is Washoku? Washoku means Japanese food. It is easier to say “Japanese cuisine.” Popular dishes include sushi, tempura, sukiyaki, and yakiniku. In 2013, UNESCO added Washoku to the list of Intangible Cultural Heritage. It recognized...

Natural Disasters in Japan Japan has many natural disasters. These include earthquakes, typhoons, tsunamis, and heavy rain. A major example is the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011. A huge tsunami followed the earthquake, and a nuclear...

What is Obon? Obon is one of the most important times in Japan, along with the New Year. People usually celebrate it from August 13 to 16, although some areas hold it in July. Obon comes from Buddhist traditions. During this period, peop...

A Very Important Season New Year is a very important time for Japanese people. In general, people think of New Year as January 1 to 3. This period has strong roots in Shinto ideas. People believe that a deity called Toshigami (the New Ye...

Cleanliness Many visitors notice how clean Japan is. Streets are usually free of trash. Buildings are tidy, and restaurants are often very clean. I think this is partly influenced by Shinto and Buddhism. In Shinto, purification is very i...

What Is a Shogun? A shogun was the leader of the samurai. But he was more than a leader. He held real political power and led a military government. At first, samurai protected the emperor and nobles. Over time, they gained power. In the...

The Role of the Emperor The Emperor plays a central role in understanding Japan. For much of its history, Japan developed around the imperial institution, so learning about the Emperor provides valuable insight into Japanese culture and ...