What is a Mikoshi in Japanese Culture? Have you ever seen a picture of an ornate carriage with royalty or royal cargo inside that is transported on people’s shoulders? Many...

Tsukimi or Otsukimi, is a traditional Japanese holiday celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month. The name literally translates to “moon-viewing” and falls on the night of...

In Japan, there are festivals held throughout the year celebrating seasons, traditions, and historical events. One of the most important elements of these festivals is food. After all, what brings...

Goldfish scooping, or kingyo sukui is a quintessential festival activity in Japan. Among the stalls of food and souvenirs, there will almost always be at least one stall where you...

Matsuri means festival in Japanese, and there are a plethora of matsuri held in the city of Kyoto throughout the year. Kyoto was Japan’s imperial capital until it changed to...

The Obon festival, also known as the Bon Festival, is one of the largest celebrations held in Japan and takes place during the seventh month of the year, typically from...

Festivals, or matsuri, are a long-standing Japanese tradition. With approximately 300,000 traditional matsuri throughout the country annually, there are festivals for all sorts of reasons. Some may honor specific groups...

Hokkaido, the northern region of Japan, is famous for its snow, cultural traditions, and it’s assortment of regional Japanese snacks. Every year in February, Hokkaido celebrates all of these elements...

There’s nothing that gets us quite in the mood for winter like a good winter festival! Mark your calendars to visit any of these famous festivals and see just how...

Countries around the globe choose to ring in the new year with a wide variety of traditions. In Japan, New Years is a major holiday, with many associated traditions including...

I will be the first to admit that a sunset is much easier to see than a sunrise. But maybe that's what makes the sunrise so magical! In Japan, it's...

For many Americans, the winter season is synonymous with the holidays, especially Christmas. While the West has its own holiday traditions—like decorating the home inside and out, exchanging presents, and...