Japan Blog

Complete matcha set with ceramic bowl, bamboo whisk, scoop and sifter arranged on tatami with green powder

Best Matcha Set for Beginners, What to Look For Before Buying

Know which four pieces actually matter, why 80-100 tines makes better foam, and how to pick a bowl wide enough to whisk without lumps.

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Traditional Japanese woodblock print of a mischievous tanuki demon with mythical magical aura

Tanuki: a strange Japanese demon

Discover the legend of the Japanese raccoon dog. In Japanese culture and Shinto folklore, he is sometimes considered a yokai. And he has a huge secret power 🇯🇵

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Traditional red tengu mask with elongated nose and bushy eyebrows in ukiyo-e style

Tengu mask meaning and origin

Do you think that Japanese Masks have a special Meaning? Are you wondering what Symbol the Tengu Mask corresponds to? Here is the secret behind this Oni Mask!"

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Collection of fifteen authentic traditional Japanese masks displayed showing Noh theater and Oni designs

Top 15 Traditional Japanese masks

Here is a top 15 traditional Japanese masks and their meanings. Going from Kitsune mask, to Oni mask and samurai mask !

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Traditional Japanese sumi-e painting of an orange and white koi fish swimming in mist

What is the meaning of a Japanese Koi fish?

We explain it this article what is the meaning of Japanese Koi fish, the origin, the Japanese legends, the colors and the Irezumi tattoo related the Japanese carp

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Traditional Japanese ukiyo-e painting of Jorogumo spider demon with intricate web details

Jorogumo: Japanese spider demon

Who is Jorogumo in Japanese mythology? Why are men afraid of this demon? How to escape his hypnotic power

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Traditional sumi-e ink painting of Tsukuyomi, Japanese moon god, in ethereal moonlight

Tsukuyomi : Japanese god of moon

Tsukuyomi is god of the Japanese mythology. Find out in this article who is behind the Japanese moon deity, also known as the brother of susanoo and amaterasu 🇯🇵

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Traditional ukiyo-e style artwork celebrating kawaii culture with cute characters and cherry blossoms

How to be Kawaii: embrace the Japanese Culture of Cuteness

How to be a kawaii girl? Unearth the secrets of Kawaii fashion, makeup, and lifestyle. Eager to reveal a whole new adorable you? Click now to start your Kawaii transformation!"

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Student wearing structured indigo randoseru backpack in a bright Tokyo train station during morning commute

Best Japanese Backpacks for School and Commuting, Top 10 Picks

Find the right Japanese backpack by laptop size, capacity and comfort. Compare structured randoseru and minimalist styles for school or daily commute.

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Two people in tabi socks and geta sandals walking down a historic Japanese town street in morning light

What socks to wear with geta sandals without discomfort

Discover why tabi socks prevent discomfort with geta sandals. Learn the traditional pairing and avoid blisters with the right footwear choice.

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Person displaying traditional Japanese irezumi full-back tattoo with intricate black ink designs

Yakuza tattoo Meanings: Japanese Irezumi art

Like many criminal groups, the Yakuza (Japanese mafia) have developed their own style of tattoos. Find out the meaning of the Irezumi Yakuza tattoo 🇯🇵

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Hands pulling a soft measuring tape across upper back; folded kimono on wooden table in afternoon light.

How to measure yourself for a kimono order that fits

Take four measurements - height, yuki, bust and hips - and match them to flat garment sizes so your kimono fits without guessing letter sizes.

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Man wearing vintage sukajan jacket with dragon and tiger embroidery on Tokyo street

Japanese Bomber: Sukajan Jacket or Souvenir Jacket

The Japanese bomber is a jacket that transcends the ages and the fashion world. Ryan Gosling wears one in the movie Drive for example. The Sukajan jacket is a symbol 🇯🇵

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Kendo student's feet and legs in indigo hakama performing explosive stamping footwork, fumikomi technique, on stone courtyard.

Kendo footwork basics every beginner should master

Learn okuri-ashi, suri-ashi and fumikomi step by step, with posture and drills to move fast, keep balance and land clean cuts from the left foot.

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Hand with chopsticks reaches across a low table, multiple small ceramic dishes and soup bowls containing seasonal courses, soft natural light

Kaiseki dining explained, from seasons to serving ware

Understand how a kaiseki meal unfolds course by course, why each season changes the menu, and how to read the serving ware at the table.

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Woman in burgundy kimono and grey haori surrounded by scarlet and golden autumn shrine foliage.

Silver Week in Japan: Shrine Walks, Autumn Festivals and What to Wear

Dress for Silver Week shrine walks and evening matsuri: layers for 26°C days and cool dawns, slip-off shoes and quiet colours that suit sacred grounds.

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Two schoolboys in black gakuran uniforms with stand-up collars and gold buttons walking a corridor

Gakuran : the traditional Japanese uniform for boys

Discover the secrets of the traditional Japanese uniform called Gakuran. This Japanese men's uniform has been worn by middle and high school students in the land of the rising sun since the early 20th century 🇯🇵

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Step-by-step guide on how to wear a kimono, including traditional techniques for draping and securing the obi belt to achieve an authentic Japanese look

How to Wear a Kimono?

Discover the art of wearing a kimono, from its rich history to modern styles. Learn about traditional accessories and follow our step-by-step guide to don this elegant Japanese garment with grace and authenticity.

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Two friends holding painted ceramic kitsune fox masks near vermilion torii gates at dusk

What is a Kitsune?

Kitsune god is an emblematic creature of Japanese folklore. It’s a magical animal particularly popular in Japan. This polymorphous Japanese fox has several tails. It's a yokai spirit from Japanese mythology whose origin dates back to the 9th century.

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Ukiyo-e style illustration of Princess Kaguya in a moonlit bamboo grove beside a glowing bamboo stalk

The Tale of Princess Kaguya

Discover the Japanese tale of Kaguya-Hime, a Japanese baby found in a bamboo stem. This Japanese myth inspires many mangaka and animated movies including Naruto 🇯🇵

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Two gardeners raking gravel ripples and placing mossy stones in a Zen garden

Japanese Zen garden

From their creation to their miniaturization, discover the history of Japanese Zen gardens. This Japanese art, very codified, is the heritage of an ancestral culture full of symbolism where the smallest stone has a meaning 🇯🇵

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Yukata vs kimono: How to choose the best Japanese outfit

Yukata vs Kimono: what's the difference?

What is the difference between the Japanese kimono vs Yukata. Even though those Japanese clothings look similar, there is a dress code to respect 🇯🇵

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Kawaii Japan

TOP 31 Kawaii from Japan

Learn more about he TOP 31 of Japanese Kawaii. Maneki Neko, Origami, Maid Café, Amigurumi, kawaii style, Hello Kitty, Kokeshi doll. Here is the TOP ranking 🇯🇵

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Masked Kagura dancers in brocade robes performing with suzu bells on a lantern-lit shrine stage

Kagura dance: meaning, origins and history of a traditional Japanese theater

Like Noh and Kabuki theater, Kagura dance is a Japanese theatrical art that dates back to the Edo era. Discover all its history!

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Japanese pop culture is focus on manga, kawaii, Jpop and cosplay

Japanese pop culture: origin, Japanese fashion and influence

You want to discover Japanese Pop Culture? You want to know more about the influence of Japanese Pop Culture on the rest of the world?

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otaku is a Japanese geek

What is an Otaku?

Find out the deeper meaning of an Otaku? A lot of prejudices revolve around these Japanese geeks. Yet, this Japanese trend is widespread across the world 🇯🇵

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kimono is a traditional clothing from Japan.

Kimono : all about the traditional Japanese clothing

How and why to wear a Kimono, What is the origin of the word kimono? Who can wear this traditional Japanese garment, FULL GUIDE written by craftsmen in Kyoto

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A maid cafe is a restaurant or a bar where the employees are dressed with a maid outfit. They wear a Victorian dress inspired by the Harajuku look. The maids cafe are frequented by Otaku in the Akihabara district in Tokyo, Japan

Maid Café: Japanese maids in Victorian dress

Have a look to the fantastic Japanese Maid Cafe world. The waitresses are disguised as maids and wear Victorian style dresses. Here is the list of rules to follow if you wish enter in?

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miyazaki movies

TOP 10 : Japanese movies by Hayao Miyazaki (Studio Ghibli)

Hayao Miyazaki is a legend in his art form, the Japanese animated film. His contribution is monumental and has weighed tremendously in the rise of this Japanese art form around the world! Check out our 10 favorite films from this exceptional director. 🇯🇵

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tengu: japanse demon

Tengu: Japanese demon oni

Who is the Tengu demon? Want to know the Origins of this long-nosed Japanese divinity! Here is his legend and mystical story! 🇯🇵

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Yukata

Yukata : the light and comfortable Japanese kimono

Between culture and modernity the yukata is at the heart of the Japanese culture. Discover with this article, the origins of the yukata, and find out how it invested the Japanese wardrobes century after century 🇯🇵

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Fundoshi: all about the traditional Japanese underwear

Fundoshi: all about the traditional Japanese underwear

Don't know what a Fundoshi is? Wondering how to wear it? Learn about the ancestor of the Japanese underwear 🇯🇵

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Japanese Religion

Japanese religion : Buddhism, Shintoism and others


We will see the different religions present in Japan, the share of it as well as the main characteristics of shintoism and especially of Buddhism 🇯🇵

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Susanoo : Japanese storm god

Susanoo : Japanese storm god

Susanoo is the Ocean Japanese god. He is also a storm god. Discover his true legend and his link with Japanese manga culture (Naruto, Akame Ga Kill and Kamigami No Asobi) 🇯🇵

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jinbei

Jinbei clothing : Summer Kimono or Japanese pajamas ?

Jinbei can also be called jinbē or hippari. It is a kind of pajamas that is worn indoors or in hot weather. Find out all about this Japanese outfit 🇯🇵

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japan-flag-meaning

Japan Flag Meaning

More than just a red circle on a white background, the Japanese flag (also called Hinomaru) has a rich history. Have a look to its secrets 🇯🇵

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Japanese gift ideas laid out on a wooden table

Top 10 Japanese Gifts

Looking for a Japanese gift idea for a fan of the land of the rising sun? Here are the top 10 gifts and souvenirs to give for a birthday or holiday 🇯🇵

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hanami

Hanami: the Japanese Spring Festival

Hanami has a special place in the Japanese culture. This masturi festival gathers every year many Japanese people all over the Japanese archipelago. Discover where this sakura custom comes from and how it has crossed the centuries? 🇯🇵

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japanese-animals

Japanese animals: mythology and symbolism

Discover the legends of the Japanese dragon, the Koi carp, the Tsuru crane, the Kirin unicorn or the deer god also sometimes called Daidarabotchi: the night walker 🇯🇵

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seppuku

Seppuku: Japanese suicide ritual

This act is called Harakiri or Seppuku. Find out the origin of this Japanese ritual suicide and its hidden meaning 🇯🇵

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setsubun

Setsubun: the Japanese demon festival

Discover the mystery behind the Japanese festival Setsubun. Why do Japanese people wear demon masks and throw rice at each other? 🇯🇵

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geisha

Everything you need to know about Japanese Geisha

The geisha job was born in the land of the rising sun, several centuries ago. It is a symbol of femininity, propriety and an icon of Japanese culture 🇯🇵

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weeb-meaning

Weeb or Weeaboo meaning and history of this Japanese term

Discover the weeb or weeaboo meaning. You will learn in this blog post the meaning of controversial Japanese term that is often confused with the word Otaku 🇯🇵

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shinigami

Shinigami : the Japanese god of death

Discover the origin of the Japanese Shinigami gods... It is a subject of choice for Japanese mangas like Bleach, Death Note or Soul Eater 🇯🇵

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amaterasu

Amaterasu : japanese goddess of the sun

Amaterasu is the Japanese deity of the sun in Shinto folklore. Have a look to her legend and the link she has on Japanese pop culture : Itachi, Sasuke, Okami game etc... 🇯🇵

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yasuke

Yasuke : the true legend of the first black samurai

Yasuke is the first black samurai in the land of the rising sun. But do you know his true legend? Discover his origin and the mysteries surrounding this Japanese samurai warrior 🇯🇵

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wabi-sabi

Wabi-sabi: Japanese philosophy, style and design

What is Wabi-sabi? Spirituality, design and philosophy of life, you will discover in this article all the notions of this Japanese aesthetic concept 🇯🇵

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Japanese-streetwear

Japanese streetwear : style, clothing and fashion

Discover Japanese streetwear: unique style, timeless and fashionable clothes straight from the Harajuku district in Tokyo 🇯🇵

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