Japanese Culture
- Japan's Swimming Season
May 4, 2008
People often ask me when the swimming season is in Japan. This is difficult question because nearly every beach and pool opens at a different time.
Beaches
The swimming season officially starts when the Shinto priest holds Umi Biraki (opening of the sea) ceremony. In this ceremony, the priest purifies the sea and water, making it safe to swim. Where I live, on an island in Western Japan, Umi Biraki is always held on the first Sunday in July, which seems a little late for a public swimming beach, but the crowds start coming only after this.
« read more » - Planning for Golden Week
April 15, 2008
Golden week, from the end of April to the beginning of May, is one of the biggest travel times of the year for Japanese people. It’s called Golden Week because several national holidays line up during this period and, together with a weekend on both side, means many people can take the entire week off, if not longer.
« read more » - Arm Chair O-hanami
April 10, 2008
Pink is the only color you’re going to see for the next few weeks while it is cherry blossom season in Japan. The good news is that even if you’re not in Japan, you can still do quite a bit of arm-chair cherry blossom viewing. So put your rose-colored glasses on and let’s start some virtual cherry blossom hunting!
« read more » - Bean throwing
January 31, 2008
Go into any convenience store or supermaket in Japan now and you will see displays of devil masks and dried soybeans. Pick up a set (they’re sold together) and get ready for the annual bean throwing ceremony! Held every year on Setsubun (Feb. 3), the last day of winter according to the lunar calendar, bean-throwing ceremonies take place all over Japan in private homes, and also temples and shrines. The ceremony dates back to to the Muromachi Period (1333-1568), and the purpose is to drive evil away for the next year.
« read more » - Japan and the Chinese calendar
January 2, 2008
Akemashite omedetou gozaimasu! Happy New Year! And welcome to the year of the rat. If you were born in 1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, you were born in the year of the rat on the Chinese calendar. The Japanese also use the Chinese animal zodiac, so right now in Japan, people are preparing for the year of the rat. What kind of a year will it be?
« read more » - Christmas Illuminations
December 15, 2007
Christmas is celebrated in Japan with pretty decorations and sparkling lights. And lots of them. Large displays of lights, called "Illuminations" are found throughout Japan in small cities as well as the larger ones. The larger cities bring in well-known designers from around the world to create original displays. Don't pass up these displays if you are traveling Japan during the Christmas holidays.
« read more » - Japanese Christmas
December 4, 2007
The most common question I get about Japan during
December is: Do the Japanese celebrate Christmas? The
answer is "Yes and no." The Japanese, who love
anything sparkly with lights, could not resist
importing Christmas. But since Japan is a Buddhist
country and Christmas has no religious meaning to
them, they imported only the fun parts. Almost
everyone has a small, desktop plastic Christmas tree
in their house which they often put in an
out-of-the-way place such as on top of the
refrigerator. The stores all have Christmas trees and
Christmas decorations. Some cities, such as Hakodate
in Hokkaido will have a larger Christmas tree on
display in the city center (pictured).
« read more » - Hands-on Japan
November 17, 2007
When you think of Japan , many different images may arise: sushi, anime, manga, Zen, etc. When you visit Japan, however, don't just see these things, experience them! Over the past decade, Japan has become much more hands-on, offering visitors a much truer Japanese experience. You can now learn Zazen meditation at a Zen temple in Kyoto, as well as learn the secrets to Japanese flower arrangement, tea ceremony and calligraphy writing. And, you can do them in their natural environment. Learn the Japanese arts not in a school, but in a temple in Kyoto that is part of the Myoshinji Zen Temple complex among one of Kyoto's World Heritage Sites.
« read more » - Finding Local Festivals in Japan
October 17, 2007
If you’d like to see a festival but want to stay away from the crowds, check out Japan’s hundreds of smaller local town “matsuri� or festivals. Almost every town has its own spring, summer or fall festival to celebrate harvests or the local Shinto gods. The best thing about these festivals is that you can actually participate in them rather than just taking pictures from the sidelines. The fun-loving local people are friendly and will probably welcome you into their community festival to help carry the “mikoshi,� (portable shrine-see photo) or to try your hand at one of the festival dances. It’s a great chance to get involved with the local culture!
« read more » - Autumn Festivals in Japan
October 2, 2007
It may not be cherry blossom season, nor summer when all the Bon festivals are on, but Autumn brings with it it’s own special event: the Aki Matsuri, or Autumn festival. Autumn festivals are held throughout Japan, most celebrated to either pray for a good harvest or to celebrate the local Shinto gods.
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