Blogs

May 1 in Japan is the dawn of the new era of Reiwa (令和, Beautiful Harmony). The entire country is abuzz with excitement, hope, and anticipation. Empress Masako will accompany Emperor Naruhito, alon … read more

In Japan, one of the sure signs of the arrival of spring is Hina-Matsuri, the Festival of Dolls. Japanese have celebrated Hina-Matsuri since at least the 8th-century Heian period. During this time Ja … read more

  Japanese is a culture of etiquette, with elaborate rules for table manners.The following is a brief tutorial on Japanese table manners and polite phrases, which you can practice … read more

I often get asked about the best season to visit Japan. Such a seemingly simple question. However, there are more choices and more “seasons” than most people realize. Japan is a land of … read more

Japanese affinity for the awe-inspiring beauty of their mountains is deep-rooted in a curious mix of sacred myths, love of outdoors, and respect for nature. Nearly 70 percent of the Japanese archipel … read more