Ever wondered what real-life people inspired our favorite and most memorable anime characters? Every great character takes inspiration from somewhere, and often that inspiration comes from real-life icons we may have heard of. Writers frequently design their characters based on the image, life story, or even personality of real-life people, since sometimes facts can be […]
Vernal Equinox Day, also known as Shunbun no Hi (春分の日), is one of two Japanese public holidays that mark the times of the year when day and night are approximately equal in length. Shunbun no Hi is the first of two and typically falls between March 19 and March 22, hence it is often referred […]
Have you heard of yoji jukugo? Piece of cake, break the ice, and cut corners – these are all short idioms we use all the time, and in Japan, they have something similar called 四字熟語 (yojijukugo). A yojijukugo is a Japanese phrase consisting of four kanji. Just like in English, yojijukugo are very popular since […]
What are some unwritten rules and things you should not do in Japan? Japanese people are known for being well-mannered and following their strict, subtle etiquette. But while Japanese people are non-confrontational, there is a set of “unwritten rules” that people expect you to follow. These rules are considered common sense and are one of […]
With Japan being the motherland of anime, it’s unsurprising that many real-life locations have inspired our favorite anime scenes. Recently, the phenomenon of people visiting anime-inspired places, or locations dedicated to anime, has been gaining popularity. This trend is known as an anime pilgrimage. So what are the top places to visit in Japan for […]
Although the Japanese monarchy still exists, its role today is largely symbolic—much like the royal family in the United Kingdom. Even so, the Imperial Household continues to observe important traditions, including the celebration of the reigning emperor’s birthday. This occasion is marked by a national holiday known as the Emperor’s Birthday (天皇誕生日, Tennō Tanjōbi). Under […]
Did you know that Japan has a second Valentine’s Day called White Day? In Japan, Valentine’s Day has a bit of a twist; the original Valentine’s Day (on February 14) is for women to give chocolates or small gifts to men. These can range from giri-choco (obligatory chocolates for colleagues or friends) to honmei-choco (romantic […]
Did you know how the Chinese zodiac signs are adopted in Japan? While the Lunar New Year is not widely celebrated here, the country adopted the Chinese zodiac around the 6th century, and it now has its own unique Japanese spin. There are 12 animals in the zodiac, with each animal having their own unique […]
