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Katana Samurai Sword - A Practical Guide

Katana Samurai Sword – A Practical Guide

Anyone interested in Katana, the traditional Japanese sword? Even though Katana is no longer used as its original practical purpose, there are many enthusiastic fans all over the world, who are attracted by the beauty of Katana.

Origin of Katana

The Katana is perhaps one of the most iconic swords ever made and its prominence is tied closely with the Samurai of ancient and feudal Japan. The…

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The Shinkansen: Where The Journey Is Just As Thrilling As The Destination

The Shinkansen: Where The Journey Is Just As Thrilling As The Destination

One exciting way to experience Japan is traveling via the bullet train or Shinkansen. You can cut travel time between cities and spend more time enjoying the tourist sites. The original Tokaido Shinkansen linking Tokyo and Osaka was launched in 1964 on the occasion of the Tokyo Olympics. Up to 13 trains per hour run on this line with a seating capacity of more than 1300. It travels at very high…

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What You Probably Didn’t Know About Kobe Beef

What You Probably Didn’t Know About Kobe Beef

Say Kobe, what do you think of?

When people hear the word Kobe, the first thing that comes to mind is professional basketball player Kobe Bryant who has won five NBA titles with the Los Angeles Lakers. But did you know that Kobe’s parents actually named their son after a famous menu item in a Japanese steakhouse? In recent years, Kobe beef has become a household name and many enterprising…

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3 Reasons Why You Should Have Geta

3 Reasons Why You Should Have Geta

Do you know Geta?

Before the Edo period (1603-1868), Japanese people wore traditional wooden clogs known as Geta or Zōri with their yukata or kimono. They are similar to the modern slippers we are familiar with today, except that their structure is slightly different and they are made from different materials.

Geta 下駄

Zōri 草履

Geta is considered informal and are worn with a yukata, a casual kimono…

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Japanese raccoon figure's 8 Lucky items

Japanese raccoon figure’s 8 Lucky items

Have you ever seen this Japanese raccoon (Tanuki たぬき）figure?

You may be spotted the raccoon figure in front of restaurants, Izakaya, inns, shops, etc. in Japan. This is “Shigarakiyaki”, a pottery made in Kōga city in Shiga prefecture. It is said that this figure invites good fortune as he has 8 lucky items which reminds you the important elements of being a successful merchant. Can you tell what…

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Daruma - what is this? and How to use?

Daruma – what is this? and How to use?

What is Daruma?

    Daruma (ダルマ、達磨）is a lucky item in Japan. Anybody can buy it. Especially during New Year season, you’ll see some street stalls selling Daruma. 80% of Daruma sold in Japan is made in Takasaki-city, Gunma prefecture, which is about 1.7 million Darumas.

When we have a wish, purchase Daruma and draw the left eye and display it where you can see it often. When the wish fulfilled,…

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Kusatsu Onsen 草津温泉 One of the 3 best Hot springs in Japan

Kusatsu Onsen 草津温泉 One of the 3 best Hot springs in Japan

Do you know Kusatsu Onsen?

They said Kusatsu Onesen is one of the three best Japan’s hot spring, situated at 1200 meters above sea level in Gunma Prefecture. You can also enjoy this resort area for skiing during winter and hiking in the rest of season.

Why Kusatsu Onsen is so famous?

This hot spring is blessed with large volumes of quality water said to cure all illness but lovesickness. The…

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Japanese Road Signs 日本の道路標識

Japanese Road Signs 日本の道路標識

Hi everyone, I uploaded Japanese road sign video in YouTube.

There are two parts, 1. Explaining Japanese road signs, and 2. Showing real signs on actual road.

The video didn’t show all of the Japanese road signs, but covered fundamental ones.

Here are more information…

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Hirosaki Sakura Festival 弘前桜まつり

Hirosaki Sakura Festival 弘前桜まつり

Hirosaki Sakura Festival (弘前桜まつり）2017.

Sakura season has just over in Aomori prefecture. This video highlights the best shots of Hirosaki castle park’s sakura! Next year 2018, Hirosaki park’s 100th Sakura festival. So cannot miss it! Plan your trip to Hirosaki, Japan next year spring! For viewing Sakura, this park is highly recommended There are about 2,600 Sakura trees, and they are extremely…

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神の子池 Kaminoko-ike ~"God-child Pond" and Lake Mashū

神の子池 Kaminoko-ike ~”God-child Pond” and Lake Mashū

神の子池 (Kaminoko-ike) ~ God’s child pond~

This beautiful pond locates near 摩周湖 -Lake Mashū in Hokkaido.

Kaminokoike explanation

This pond gets its name, literally meaning “Child of the gods,” from stories that it is fed by underground waters from Lake Mashuko, which is known by the Ainu as Kamuito or “Lake of the Gods.” It is just 220 m around 5m deep, and replenished with about 12,000 t of spring…

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タウシュベツ川橋梁 Taushubetsu ~Phantom Bridge in Hokkaido~

Taushubetsu Bridge, also called as めがね橋 (glasses bridge)

Every time you visit this place, you’ll see different scenery as water level differs each season. If you visit June-July, you might be able to see this beautiful “glass-like” bridge. (The dried-out cover photo was taken during Golden Week, beginning of May in 2017)

This old bridge was designated as a Hokkaido heritage site in 2001.

Why it’s…

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Golden week is coming soon!

pic source: http://www.nta.co.jp/gw/

Have you heard, “Golden Week”?

So what is Golden Week? Is it a shiny week? Yes, everyone looking for a long holiday, right? There are consecutive national holidays from end of April to beginning of May. Here is the list:

29 April: 昭和の日 Shōwa no hi. – Shōwa Day (Shōwa Emperor (the formar Emperor)’s birthday) 3 May: 建国記念日 Kenkoku kinen bi. -National Foundation Day

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Sakura season has arrived! How Japanese enjoy it?

Sakura (cherry-blossom) season has arrived finally :) You can view full of Sakura in many places in Japan now. This year’s Sakura bloom was a bit slower than usual by few days. So it’s been long waited!!

Ah Sakura, sakura..

Here, let me introduce you how Japanese enjoy Sakura watching.

Get the best spot

When we hold a Hanami (flower viewing feast), one or two people from a group will have a duty…

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What is Hanko? -Japanese "must have" item

WHAT IS HANKO?

BUY HANKO

Hanko 判子 is a name stamp/seal which is used in Japan widely for tasks such as making contracts (e.g. joining a new company, school, apartment, gym etc.), opening bank accounts, getting certificates (marriage, driver’s license, etc. ), writing resumes and even used as an acknowledgment of notifications. We even use Hanko to confirm corrections when we make…

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登別温泉 Noboribetsu Onsen, Hokkaido

There are many Hot-springs and sightseeing spots in Hokkaido. Noboribetsu (登別) is one of the best Hot-springs area in Hokkaido. There are several walking trails and you can feel the volcanic nature.

9 different types of spring qualities

This Onsen area produce 10,000t of hot water per day with 9 different types of spring qualities, and the spring source temperatures is 45 to 90…

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Equinox Days are Japanese national holidays. Why?

Equinox Days are Japanese national holidays. Why?

今日、3月20日は春分の日です。Today, Mar 20 is Vernal Equinox Day, and National Holiday in Japan. (Every ear, either 20th or 21st of March, which is depending on the year, due to Gregorian calendar)

Vernal Equinox Day and Autumn Equinox Day are Japanese National Holidays. Even some Japanese wonders why these days are the national holidays, and what for? So I searched internet ;)

Why Vernal Equinox Day is a…

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Graduation Season ~ 卒業式シーズン

Graduation Season ~ 卒業式シーズン

Have you ever seen this kind of scenery?

Around mid March in Japan, you might see this gorgeous looking girls on the street in Japan. They wear Hakama, one of the types of Kimono. As you see from the photo, the top is Kimono and wearing long skirts or culotte, this is Hakama.

So who are they? Why are they waring Hakama?

They are to attend graduation ceremony at college or University. Mid March is…