How to make "Eho-maki", a standard food for Setsubun
In Japan, there is a custom of eating Eho-maki (uncut sushi rolls for good luck) on Setsubun (the last day of winter). Setsubun, a uniquely Japanese annual event, is a...
What is "Maneki-neko", a figure of a beckoning cat?
If you have ever visited shops in the countryside in Japan, you have probably seen a beckoning cat at least once. It is a symbol of a thriving business, called...
Osechi-ryori, a traditional Japanese New Year's food
On New Year's Day, the most special of the year's festivities in Japan, people celebrate the New Year with their families or close friends by preparing Osechi-ryori as a special...
Let's decorate "Kagami-mochi", a popular ornament for the New Year in Japan.
There is a custom of decorating Kagami-mochi (the rice cakes) to offer to Shinto and Buddhism during the New Year in Japan. Many households display them to celebrate the New...
What is Jugoya? Event Food and Offerings for the Fifteen Nights
In Japan, "Jugoya" has been held nationwide since ancient times as a custom to love the moon. In ancient times, it was the aristocrats' pleasure to admire the moon reflected...
What is Obon?
In Japan, we have Obon Buddhist annual event to welcome our ancestors’ spirits. Commonly, companies or shops are closed during the Obon period same as Easter. Let’s focus on Obon...
History of "Tanabata", Japanese traditional event and how people spend on that day
In Japan, people celebrate Tanabata on July 7 every year. Tanabata is one of the seasonal events and is sometimes called as “Shichiseki” (Seventh Night) or “Hoshimatsuri” (Star Festival). Today...
What is “Tango no Sekku”?
“Children's Day" is celebrated all over the world and, in Japan, May 5 is the Children's Day, which is also called “Tango-no Sekku”. We will explain a habit called “Tango-no...
