In this page, Japanese interesting customs will be introduced
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風呂敷:Furoshiki (Japanese wrapping cloth)
Furoshiki are colorful squares of cloth traditionally used to wrap things up. They come in many sizes and are made of …
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ランドセル:Randsel (Special backpack for elementary children)
Most Japanese elementary children travel to their schools each day with a special kind of backpack known as a “randsel.”,…
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ノンアルコール飲料 :Non-alcohol inryo (Non-alcohol inryo)
Perched on its hind legs, this unique cat stares straight ahead and raises one of its forelegs up high,…
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まねき猫:Maneki neko (Inviting cat)
Perched on its hind legs, this unique cat stares straight ahead and raises one of its forelegs up high,…
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年賀状:Nenga-jo (New Year’s card)
Nenga-jo, or New Year’s cards, are greeting cards sent to business customers, coworker, relatives, friends, and others.…
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だるま:Daruma (Traditional Japanese tumbler doll representing Bodhidharma)
Except for its face, the Daruma doll is painted entirely in red. This rounded figurine symbolizes the Bodhi Dharma, the founder of Zen Buddhism,…
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秋刀魚:Sanma (Pacific Saury)
Sanma, or the Pacific Saury, is present in large numbers in the northern Pacific Ocean and is a popular food in Japan during the fall.,…
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文化祭:Bunka-sai (Cultural festival)
A bunka-sai (meaning “cultural festival”) is an event generally held by students at high schools or junior high schools in Japan,,…
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お盆:Obon(Japanese holiday to honor one’s ancestors)
Obon is a Japanese holiday held for the purpose of honoring one’s ancestors. Occurring from August 13-16,…
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日本の夏休み:Summer Holidays in Japan
Around the world, students in elementary and secondary schools eagerly await the coming of summer holidays, and Japan’s children are no exception…
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弁当:Bento (Box Lunch)
Around the world, people have different ways of taking meals with them, such as the Western-style lunch box with sandwiches and fruit.…
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漫画:Manga (Story comics)
Japan takes pride in its manga, or story comics, which are an original contribution to global culture.…
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新緑:Shinryoku (New green)
Shinryoku, literally “new green” or “the fresh verdure of spring,” refers to the beginnings of spring.…
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卒業式:Sotsugyo-Shiki (Graduation Ceremony)
In most of Japan’s elementary and secondary schools as well as universities and colleges, the school year begins in April and concludes the following March.…
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立春:Risshun (First Day of Spring)
Risshun was the name given to the first day of spring in the traditional calendar once used in Japan…
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ふぐ:Fugu (Puffer Fish)
Puffer fish (known as “fugu” in Japanese) may taste bland at first,.
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おせち:Osechi (Japanese traditional New Year’s dish)
Osechi is a traditional Japanese New Year’s dish which is an assortment.…
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タクシーの乗り方:Using Tokyo Taxi Wisely
October in Japan is a month blessed with many pleasant, sunny days, following the end of the oppressive summer heat…
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運動会:Undo-kai (Athletic Festival)
October in Japan is a month blessed with many pleasant, sunny days, following the end of the oppressive summer heat…
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てぬぐい:Tenugui (Refreshment towel)
Tenugui are traditional Japanese cloth products usually made of rough, plain-woven cotton.…
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ラジオ体操:Radio Taiso(Radio Gymnastic Exercises)
Radio taiso is a series of light exercises (taiso) involving stretches, jumps, arm movements, and more, conducted along with piano music from the radio…
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クールビズ:Cool Biz(Summer clothing to save energy)
Coined from the words “cool” and “business,” the Japanese term “cool biz” stands for a movement to encourage the wearing light clothing in offices during the summer…
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浴衣:Yukata(Casual Kimono)
Long before the advent of air-conditioners, the Japanese would stay cool during the hot and humid summer nights with the yukata…
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八十八夜:Hachiju Hachi Ya(88th Night)
In the traditional lunar calendar of Japan, February 4th is known as risshun (literally “the standing of spring”), or the day upon which winter gives way to spring…
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同窓会:Dousou-kai(Alumni reunion)
Alumni reunions allow former students of the same school to gather together and they serve as excellent occasions for rekindling old friendships…
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ホワイトデー: White Day
In Japan, “White Day” is observed every March 14 as a special follow-up to Valentine’s Day…
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バレンタインデー: Valentine's Day
Valentine's Day (February 14th) has long been familiar in Europe and the United States…
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お年玉:Otoshidama(New Year's Allowance)
The New Year is among the most important and deeply rooted of all the annual celebrations held in Japan…
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縁起熊手:Engi-kumade(The traditional good luck charm)
Engi-kumadeis traditional Japanese Good Luck charm, long believed to draw in fortune and make your business thrive…
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冬至:Touji(The winter solstice)
The winter solstice, which occurs around December 22nd each year, is calledtouji(literally, “the extremity of winter”) in Japanese…
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…の秋:―no Aki(Fall, the Season of ―)
Fall is the season of the harvest, when the abundance of Mother Nature is most apparent…
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松茸:Matsutake(The king of the nation’s mushrooms)
In Japan, diners often place great value on achieving a sense of seasonality in their food…
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海開き:Umi-biraki(Beach-Opening)
Umi-birakiis an event that marks the beginning of the swimming season at beaches in Japan…
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お中元:O-chugen(Summer gift giving)
Japan has two major gift giving seasons each year:O-chugenin the summertime ando-seiboat the year end…
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雨具:Amagu(Rain apparel)
June is a very rainy month in much of Japan. During this wet season…
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端午の節供:Tango No Sekku (Boy's Festival)
Traditionally, tango no sekku (literally, “seasonal event of early May”) was celebrated as a festival for boys on May 5th…
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入学式/入社式:Nyugaku-shiki and Nyusha-shiki (School and Corporate Entrance Ceremonies)
In Japan, as elsewhere, spring is a season of new beginnings…
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江戸切子:Edo-kiriko
The clear colors and delicate patterns of Edo-kiriko cut glass date back to 1834…
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いちご:Strawberry
People of all ages love strawberries for their sweetness as well as their refreshing sour tang…
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初夢:Hatsu-yume(The first dream of the year)
Fortunetelling through dreams has been widely practiced around the world for more than 5,000years…
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鍋:Nabe(Hot Pot Cooking)
Nabe(also known aso-nabe) is one of Japan’s most cherished cooking styles, especially in times of cold weather…
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いい夫婦の日:A Good Couple Day
Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Children’s Day—Japan has a number of special observances devoted to the family, and one of them is on November 22nd, “Good Couple Day.”
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紅葉:Kouyou
In autumn, one of the most splendid aspects of the Japanese countryside is…
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温泉の入り方:How to Enjoy anOnsen(Hot Spring Bath)
Many Japanese travelers love to soak inonsen(hot springs)…
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電車の乗り方:The Right Way to Ride a Train
The Japanese phrase tsukin jigoku (“commuting hell”) refers to…
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風鈴:Furin(Wind Bell)
The Japanese summer can be humid and oppressive…
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銭湯:Sento(Public bath)
"Sento"is public bath or common bathhouse in Japanese towns and cities…
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ゴールデンウィーク "Golden Week"-An important Japanese holidays season
"Golden Week," which runs from late April through early May…
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桜:Sakura(Cherry Blossom)
The Japanese people have cherished sakura cherry blossoms in many ways ever since antiquity….
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ひなまつりHinamatsuri(Girls’ Doll Festival)
In Japan, family members offer wishes for the health and happiness of girls…
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節分:Setsubun(Bean-Tossing Festival)
Setsubunbean-tossing festival, or “the parting of the seasons,” is a festival traditionally held on February 3rd to signify the passing of winter and the coming of spring...
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成人式:Seijin-shiki(Coming-of-Age Ceremony)
Seijin-no Hi, (Coming-of-Age Day) is a national holiday in Japan observed on the second Monday of January…
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忘年会:Bonen-kai(Year-end party)
At the end of each year, numerous Japanese adults hold parties known asbonen-kai…
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七五三:Shichigosan ("Seven-Five-Three")
Festival for children of three, five, and seven years of age
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スポーツの秋:Fall, a season for sports
Fall is a time of year that is especially treasured in Japan…
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箸:Chopsticks
Finely crafted chopsticks - an elegant touch to round out a flawless Japanese meal
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酒:JapaneseSake
Sakeis an alcoholic beverage that is filtered “Moromi” liquid, made from fermented rice, “Koji” and water through a filtering machine.
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七夕:Tanabata(Star Festival)
Tanabatais the traditional Japanese Star Festival in summer, held on July 7th.
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梅雨:Tsuyu(Rainy season)
Japan'stsuyu, or rainy season, generally lasts from early June through the middle of July.
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山菜:Sansai(Mountain Vegetables)
Sansai("mountain vegetables") are edible plants that grow naturally in the fields and on the mountains.
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ゆるキャラ:Yuru-chara(literally, "humorous mascot character")
The termyuru-chararefers to mascots, created mainly by municipal governments, to promote their localities, local tourism, and products.
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電化製品:The Allure of Large Electronics Stores
Mass electronics retailers offer a great variety of items at affordable prices, with examples including refrigerators, rice cookers, washing machines,
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和食:Washoku(Japanese cuisine)
The wordwashokugenerally refers to traditional Japanese food. In 2013, "Washoku, traditional dietary cultures of the Japanese"
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