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...

Have you heard of “Inari” Shrines? Even if you haven’t, chances are you’ve seen photos of their iconic gateways. Thousands of Buddhist and Shinto Inari shrines can be found across...

Samurai are icons of Japanese culture—inspiring movies, manga, and myths—but who were they really? Dating back to the feudal era, samurai first began as armed imperial guards, but would later...

Japan has a rich history of castles, and the classic Japanese castles that we know today date back to as early as the Sengoku period (1467-1603). Japanese castles were originally...

Wagashi is a broad term used to describe traditional Japanese confections that are typically enjoyed with green tea. Wagashi translates to “Japanese sweets” or “Japanese snacks” and was coined during...

One of the fun things to try in Japan is to walk around the city wearing Japanese traditional clothes. Seeing people wear kimono at a tea ceremony and spending a...

Matcha madness has truly taken over the world! From matcha lattes to matcha cakes, this powdered green tea has gone beyond the cup. But where did the journey of this...

The Tanabata festival, also known as the Star Festival or Hoshi Matsuri, is a traditional summertime celebration in Japan. Tanabata means “evening of the seventh,” but the festivals can take...

Shinto is Japan’s oldest religion, dating back to the Yayoi period (200 BCE – 250 CE). With no founder or official sacred scriptures, Shinto is a flexible religion focused on...

In Japan, both Omikuji and Omamori are types of fortunes found in Shinto and Buddhist shrines and temples across the country. Though these two words are similar in sound, they...

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...

Samurai movies have long been a staple in Japanese pop culture. These movies that follow the extraordinary tales of Japan’s most revered and prestigious warriors have viewers on the edge...