Japanese Language & Culture for Everyone!

Hideyoshi’s Flower Viewing

Chika — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 22:46:36 +0000

In 1594, during the Sengoku period, Toyotomi Hideyoshi led a total of about 5,000 people, including court nobles, military commanders, tea masters, and renga artists, to Mt. Yoshino for a five-day cherry blossom viewing event. One requirement to attend was to wear a costume. Yes, it was a cosplay party. lol Hideyoshi probably wanted people ... Read more

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花見 – Flower Viewing

Chika — Mon, 16 Mar 2026 00:09:31 +0000

From Plum to Cherry: A Royal Shift Believe it or not, the very first “Hanami” didn’t involve cherry blossoms at all. During the Nara period (710–794), people admired fragrant plum blossoms (ume) brought over from China. It wasn’t until the Heian period (794–1185) that the elite shifted their obsession to the native sakura. For the ... Read more

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ソメイヨシノ – Somei Yoshino

Chika — Sun, 01 Mar 2026 22:29:39 +0000

It’s said that there are over 800 different breeds of cherry trees. Somei Yoshino, developed in the late Edo period, has since become the iconic cherry tree. When people mention cherry blossoms, they’re often referring to the Somei Yoshino variety. The cherry trees gifted to Washington, D.C. from Japan in 1912 are also Somei Yoshino. ... Read more

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紅まどんな – Beni Madonna

Chika — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 02:07:43 +0000

Beni Madonna is a premium citrus fruit from Ehime Prefecture, known for its incredibly soft pulp that feels just like eating jelly. It took 15 years of careful breeding to combine the best traits of its parent varieties: the juicy Nanko and the tender Amakusa. Every year, farmers cross-breed about 1,000 different varieties in search ... Read more

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納豆 – Nattō

Chika — Thu, 01 May 2025 03:08:24 +0000

Nattō is made by fermenting soybeans with nattō bacteria. It has a distinct smell and a sticky texture, which even many Japanese people find unappealing despite growing up with it. However, nattō is a nutritional powerhouse—rich in protein, essential for the body; iron, which supports blood production; and potassium, which helps regulate blood pressure. It ... Read more

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Neo Hina Dolls

Chika — Fri, 28 Feb 2025 16:56:08 +0000

March 3rd is Hinamatsuri, a festival for families with girls. However, in recent years, many younger people have lost interest. During Japan’s economic boom, a seven-tiered Hina doll display cost around 1 million yen, nearly the price of two new cars, symbolizing wealth. Nowadays, space and cost concerns lead families to buy only the main ... Read more

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白神山地 – Shirakami Sanchi

Chika — Fri, 14 Feb 2025 15:05:12 +0000

Japan currently hosts 26 World Heritage Sites, including Shirakami-Sanchi, a mountainous region spanning Aomori and Akita Prefectures. Recognized in 1993, Shirakami-Sanchi boasts vast primeval beech forests, among the largest untouched natural reserves globally. These ancient forests, free from modern development, provide sanctuary to a rich diversity of flora and fauna, including the elusive black woodpecker ... Read more

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National Foundation Day

Chika — Tue, 11 Feb 2025 19:20:01 +0000

February 11th is National Foundation Day (建国記念の日) in Japan. Established by the amendment of the National Holidays Act in 1966, this national holiday is dedicated to “remembering the founding of the country and cultivating a love for the nation.” February 11th was chosen for this celebration because it is traditionally believed to be the day ... Read more

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Japan’s World Heritage Sites

Chika — Thu, 06 Feb 2025 06:28:25 +0000

As of February 2025, Japan proudly hosts 26 World Heritage Sites, each contributing uniquely to global heritage. 1 Buddhist monuments in the Horyu-ji area Nara 1993 cultural 2 Himeji Castle Hyogo 1993 cultural 3 Yakushima Kagoshima 1993 natural 4 Shirakami-Sanchi Aomori and Akita 1993 natural 5 Cultural Assets of the Ancient Capital of Kyoto (Kyoto ... Read more

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Neo Bamboo Craft

Chika — Wed, 05 Feb 2025 18:17:20 +0000

In Beppu, located in Oita Prefecture, traditional bamboo craftsmen and modern artisans collaborate to create innovative, non-traditional works. This collaboration is possible because Beppu hosts Japan’s only vocational training school for bamboo crafts, where tuition is free! Inexperienced craftsmen attend this school to learn how to handle and weave bamboo, develop product creation ideas, and ... Read more

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