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Japan’s Abandoned “Gunkanjima” Adventure

Japan’s Abandoned “Gunkanjima” Adventure

Gunkanjima, located in Nagasaki Prefecture. Gunkanjima, officially known as Hashima, is a small island that resembles a battleship, hence its nickname. This island thrived during its coal mining days and, at its peak, was home to over 5,000 residents. Gunkanjima became a ghost island in 1974 following the closure of the coal mines and was […]

Visiting purpose to shrines and temples

Visiting purpose to shrines and temples

It is said there are over 80,000 shrines and 75,000 temples in Japan, with 80,000,000 believers respectively. Both total excess the population of Japan. One reason for this is Shinto, represented by shrine and Buddhist, by temple, gathering policy, which lasted more than 1,000 years, they were regarded the same origin and similar. Most Japanese […]

Noise behind Kyoto, No.1 tourist city

Noise behind Kyoto, No.1 tourist city

Kyoto is the most popular sightseeing spot, but the word “Kyoto” is English. In Japanese it is “kyouto,” where had been the center of Japan for more than 1,000 years. People believe Tokyo is the capital of Japan at present, but some people say Kyoto is still the capital of Japan as no official announcement […]

Pilgrimage to Holy Places of Anime Characters

Pilgrimage to Holy Places of Anime Characters

“Seichi junrei” refers to visiting real-life locations that are featured in anime or manga. These places are called “holy sites,” and fans visit them to deepen their love for the works. Love Live! For example, fans of the anime “Love Live!” visit Kanda Myojin Shrine in Chiyoda, Tokyo. This shrine appears in important scenes in […]

Japanese perspectives reflected in culture and language

Japanese perspectives reflected in culture and language

Behind the scenes of Japan travel, many interesting and funny tales are hidden. Your Japan travel will be enriched by knowing them, which are not available in common travel guide. In this series we include Japanese culture and language information, in connection with Japanese perspectives. Discover another exotic Japan We also explain the travel related […]

Types of Omikuji and how to draw them

Types of Omikuji and how to draw them

Have you ever heard of “omikuji”? Omikuji are fortune-telling papers you can draw at Japanese shrines and temples. But did you know that there are actually many different types of omikuji? First, let’s talk about the basic mechanism of omikuji. You draw a stick or paper from a box to predict your fortune. The results […]

The Showa Retro Boom and Its Influence

The Showa Retro Boom and Its Influence

At the heart of the Showa Retro Boom are old-fashioned shopping streets, nostalgic cafes, and Showa-era anime and music. These places and items evoke a sense of warmth and nostalgia from the Showa era, attracting many visitors and collectors. For example, Showa-style cafes preserve the ambiance of the past, with vintage furniture, decorations, and classic […]

Local Idols in Japan’s Regional Cities

Local Idols in Japan’s Regional Cities

In Japan, we have many nationally famous idol groups like AKB48 and Nogizaka46. However, did you know that there are also numerous local idols in various regions? These idols form to revitalize their local communities and perform at local events and live houses. For example, “Fruity” from Hokkaido and “LinQ” from Fukuoka are well-known local […]

Japanese Honorific Culture

Japanese Honorific Culture

Hello everyone. Today, I’m going to talk about a unique aspect of Japanese culture: the use of honorific language, or “keigo.” While it’s used daily in Japan, it can be quite confusing for foreigners. Keigo is a special way of speaking that shows respect to others. It is divided into three main types: respectful language […]

Japanese Festivals and Their Meanings

Japanese Festivals and Their Meanings

Japan has numerous festivals throughout the year, each with its own unique culture and history. Let’s introduce some of the most representative festivals. Gion Festival (Kyoto) First, we have the “Gion Festival” in Kyoto. The Gion Festival is held in July and is considered one of the three great festivals of Japan. It has a […]