Culture & Traditions– category –
Seasonal customs, architecture, light, food craft and the arts of everyday life, explored through their histories and the people who sustain and reinterpret them.
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Kotatsu: Japan’s Heated Table and the Comfort of Winter
What is a kotatsu and how does it work? Explore Japan’s heated table, its quilt, winter rituals and modern designs for floor, sofa and chair seating. -
Why Are Clear Umbrellas So Common in Japan?
Japan’s clear umbrellas offer a view of the street as well as shelter from the rain. Explore their practical appeal, unexpected history and possibilities for reuse. -
Why Do Japanese Train Stations Play Melodies?
A few notes on a platform can signal a train’s movement, echo a neighborhood and become part of an ordinary journey. Inside Japan’s station melodies. -
What Do Itadakimasu and Gochisousama Really Mean?
Why do people in Japan say itadakimasu and gochisousama? Explore the meanings of these two mealtime greetings, gratitude, school traditions, and everyday life. -
Momijigari: Why Japan Goes Looking for Autumn Leaves
What is momijigari? Discover why Japan goes looking for autumn leaves, from Kyoto's red maples to Tokyo's golden ginkgo trees and the meaning of noticing a changing season. -
Shichi-Go-San: Why Japanese Families Celebrate Ages Three, Five and Seven
Why does Japan celebrate children at ages three, five and seven? Discover the meaning of Shichi-Go-San, shrine visits, kimono, chitose-ame and family traditions. -
Why Do Japanese Shops Hang Curtains at Their Entrances? The Meaning of Noren
The small fabric sign that tells you a shop may be open can also carry its identity, its craft, and the reputation built behind the door. -
Why Are There Yellow Bumpy Tiles on Japan’s Streets?
What are the yellow bumpy tiles in Japan? Discover how tactile paving guides people, its 1967 origin in Okayama, and why clear paths and contrast matter. -
Why Do Japanese People Bring Gifts Back From Trips? The Culture of Omiyage
Why do travelers in Japan bring sweets home for colleagues and friends? Discover the history of omiyage, regional treats, workplace etiquette and the pressure behind the gesture. -
Why Are There Tiny Shrines Between Tokyo’s Skyscrapers?
In Tokyo, a shrine might stand at the end of a narrow Ginza passage, beside an office tower, or even on a rooftop. These little places reveal how a city remembers its past while constantly rebuilding.
