Events
The 5 New Year Traditions in Japan
The New Year is called “お正月 (Oshōgatsu)” in Japanese.Japan is a country located in East Asia, but unlike other East Asian nations, we do not celebrate the Lunar New Year. So when we say “Oshōgatsu”, it refers to the New Year in the Gregorian calendar. In contrast to Christmas in Japan, New Year’s in Japan …
Christmas in Japan, a Non-Christian Country
In Japan, there are many Shintoists and Buddhists. Christians are said to be only about 1% of the population. However, Christmas is a big event in Japan. After Halloween, the streets and stores are decorated with Christmas decorations, and Christmas songs are played in the stores. Let’s take a look at how Japanese people generally …
The Kanji of the Year in Japan
Every year, on December 12th, the kanji of the year is announced at Kiyomizu Temple in Kyoto. It is called “今年の漢字® (kotoshi no kanji)” in Japanese. In December, there are many TV programs predicting this year’s kanji. Here is an explanation of the kanji chosen for this year (2022) and those chosen in the past. …
Aizu Wakamatsu – A City to Feel the History of the Samurai Period
In February 2023, Team JD traveled to Aizuwakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture, guided by the Tourism Division of the Aizuwakamatsu City Hall! We were completely enchanted by the cityscape with a sense of Japanese history, delicious local cuisine, and the warmth of the local people. Let us share the charms of Aizuwakamatsu City, which we enjoyed …
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