Like this post? Help us by sharing it! You are struck by ritual and tradition everywhere in Japan – from the moment you step off the plane to the ground crew bowing your arrival. What may seem quite different, or even quaint at the time, is actually just a continuation of values and traditions instilled […]
Only in Japan
A grain of truth: Japanese rice
Like this post? Help us by sharing it! There’s one foodstuff that’s so intrinsic to Japan that word for it cooked (gohan ご飯, also meshi) is also the general meaning of “meal”. It’s part of the fabric of life. You guessed it, we’re talking about the humble grain: rice Rice has been cultivated in Japan […]
The conbini is king: a one stop shop for life
Like this post? Help us by sharing it! It’s late, you’re tempted to watch another episode of your favourite TV series and a snack would be the cherry-on-top to your night in. But how to find a place that can give you exactly what you’re craving? Maybe you want a sandwich. Maybe you want ice […]
The societal pressures that shape Japan
Like this post? Help us by sharing it! People see Japan as a country where there’s a great deal of pressure to conform to social norms. Although it’s something of a tired trope, the phrase ‘the nail that sticks up gets hammered down’ does have a degree of truth to it here. In my eleven […]
Exploring the everyday in Shin-Maruko, Tokyo
Like this post? Help us by sharing it! People come to Japan and expect the unexpected, but it is funny how many unexpected things you associate with the ‘normal’ and ‘everyday’ after living in Japan. Behind all the famous sights and scenes, people’s daily life ticks along with a societal rhythm very different to our […]
The acceptance of impermanence
Like this post? Help us by sharing it! Along with the rest of the world, Japan is still grappling with the coronavirus pandemic. However, its islands and inhabitants are no strangers to dealing with times of crisis – not least from natural disasters. The country’s earthquake-resistant building technology and disaster response plans are held up […]