japan
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What’s the meaning of the waving cat in Japan?
You see it often in Japan. By the entrance of a shop or restaurant. On a counter. In a window. A small cat, paw raised, gently ‘waving’ people in. They come in all shapes and sizes. Carved from wood. Molded… Continue reading
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Don’t you just love Japanese toilets?
Yes, it can be intimidating to encounter one for the first time. So many buttons, so many potentially embarrassing disasters waiting to happen. But they can be conquered. And hand on heart, having lived with one, I’m now in love.… Continue reading
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Do Geisha still exist in modern Japan?
When you picture traditional Japan, geisha are probably among the first images that come to mind. Yet you are unlikely to run into one on the street. In fact, among my Japanese colleagues and friends, only one had ever seen… Continue reading
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Got gacha-gacha?
Walk through any Japanese city, you can’t help but notice little charms dangling from people’s bags. Sometimes it’s just one, sometimes several. Some are little plush toys, others are tiny figures. A friend told me that what you chose to… Continue reading
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Ever gotten lost in the world’s busiest train station?
Raise your hand if you’ve been to Tokyo and gotten lost in Shinjuku Station. Mine is up – multiple times. Shinjuku Station isn’t just large. It operates on a scale most cities never reach. Tourists panic, first-timers slow down, locals… Continue reading
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What do dragons reveal about Japan?
What are dragons to you? Are they fire-spitting monsters, to be feared and avoided? In my children’s books, they were violent, dangerous villains burning villages and castles. From medieval legends to modern fantasy, in much of Western culture the dragon… Continue reading
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Biker moms in Tokyo?
It’s nothing short of impressive. One child in a front seat. Another in a rear seat. Shopping bags in the front basket or on a rear rack – often both. Mothers on so-called mom bikes (mamachari) are a common sight… Continue reading
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Why do so many of Japan’s temples and shrines have so many steps?
If you’ve ever visited a temple or shrine in Japan and found yourself out of breath after climbing hundreds of stone steps, you’re not alone. Many sacred sites in Japan are located on hillsides or mountains. Reaching them often involves… Continue reading
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Do Japanese people like lining up?
Walk through Tokyo at lunchtime and you’ll see long lines outside popular food spots. It’s puzzling at first, because there’s no shortage of restaurants, many nearby and half empty. When I first moved to Tokyo, someone even told me to… Continue reading
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Manga madness in Japan – only for kids?
Take a ride on a Tokyo subway and you notice that people are glued to their phones. What are they doing? Some play games. Some watch movies. And many are immersed in manga, Japanese comics. I expected teens to be… Continue reading
