If you are in Japan on the second Monday of January, you’ll see many young people out and about for the Coming of Age Day—the day for celebrating the youth entering adulthood, and encouraging them … read more

Factors Contributing to the Lowest Obesity Rate in the World Contrary to common belief, Japanese meal portions are not very small. However, instead of lots of one type of food on one plate, th … read more

Clockwise from top left: Mother with children in Tokyo, Kimono-clad lady in Kyoto, Going surfing in Miyazaki, Mamachari “Grand-Prix” in Osaka. In Japan, mamachari bicycles — liter … read more

Mid-August in Japan is the time for Bon Odori street dances during Obon, Festival of the Dead. Obon lasts for three days, during which the Japanese invite the spirits of their departed ancestors bac … read more

In Japanese mythology, the seventh day of the seventh month (July 7) is the festival of Tanabata. On this day, the deities Orihime and Hikoboshi, two lovers separated by the milky way, unite for their … read more