Tag: Japanese culture

  • Nature, History, and Delicious Seafood in Date City, Fukushima

    Nature, History, and Delicious Seafood in Date City, Fukushima

    There’s more to Fukushima than the headlines – this populous city is full of delicious food and luscious nature to explore: https://matcha-jp.com/en/13380

  • Recipe: Velvety kabocha soup

    Recipe: Velvety kabocha soup

    Squashes were never really a part of my diet back in the UK, and even though kabocha is basically available all year round in Japan, I still end up associating it with autumn and winter… So I love making my sweet and thick kabocha soup when I get the chance (my first recipe for The…

  • The Language of Japan’s Moon Festival

    The Language of Japan’s Moon Festival

    You’ve likely already heard of Japan’s 花見 (hanami, cherry blossom viewing) season, but perhaps you haven’t heard of its more reserved, autumnal cousin, 月見 (tsukimi, moon viewing). Explore the language behind the early autumn festival with me in my Japan Times piece here (behind paywall): https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2023/09/29/language/language-moon-viewing-autumn-harvest/

  • How People Celebrate Christmas in Japan

    How People Celebrate Christmas in Japan

    Christmas is getting closer! And if you’re spending this festive season in Japan, here are some of the ways everyone else does it: https://japanspecialist.com/w/how-people-celebrate-christmas-in-japan

  • How to Really Celebrate Japan’s Cherry Blossom Season

    How to Really Celebrate Japan’s Cherry Blossom Season

    I thought about waiting until spring to post this one, but it’s always nice to think about the cherry blossoms even when it’s not the season! Here are a few ways to enjoy the pink petals, Japan style: https://japanspecialist.com/w/how-to-celebrate-cherry-blossom-season

  • 10 Most Magical Places to See Japan in the Snow

    10 Most Magical Places to See Japan in the Snow

    Cherry blossoms always take the spotlight in Japan – but what about the beautiful winter scenes? There are some breath-taking places to see the snow if you know where to look. https://japanspecialist.com/w/10-magical-places-in-the-snow

  • 10 Fun Things to Do in Japan in the Summer

    10 Fun Things to Do in Japan in the Summer

    Summer is a popular time to visit Japan, and although it can get pretty hot and humid, if you spend your time like a local you’ll be having fun and forgetting the heat in no time! https://japanspecialist.com/w/10-fun-things-to-do-in-summer

  • Best Japan Theme Parks for Anime Fans

    Best Japan Theme Parks for Anime Fans

    Japan is well-known for its creative anime and manga, and many of the country’s theme parks allow you to step into the very world you have seen on your screen! Here are some of Japan’s great anime-themed parks in my first article for Tokyo Cheapo: https://tokyocheapo.com/entertainment/best-japan-theme-parks-for-anime-fans/

  • Yuki Miyazawa: ‘Even if it’s something small, I should do what I can’

    Yuki Miyazawa: ‘Even if it’s something small, I should do what I can’

    Yuki Miyazawa runs an earth-friendly farmer’s market in Tsukuba, which she was inspired to create by her time in the US and elsewhere overseas. The story of how she met her two market co-founders and their mission is fascinating, and Yuki was so fun to talk to. See my interview with her on the Japan…

  • Talk about your favorite shows in Japanese — but no spoilers, please!

    Talk about your favorite shows in Japanese — but no spoilers, please!

    Even though I’ve been studying and speaking Japanese for several years now, I feel like there is always something to learn! In this article for the Japan Times bilingual section, I share some fun phrases for discussing your favourite Netflix shows and how to avoid those dreaded spoilers. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2023/04/06/language/talk-favorite-shows-japanese-no-spoilers-please/