travel
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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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Is sake the national drink of Japan?
At least, that’s what I thought when I moved to Japan. But walk into any izakaya (Japanese pub) and you see beer everywhere. Wine, whiskey and mixed drinks are common too. Sake? Not so much. Still, sake has a… 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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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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Can you love a mountain?
Come to Japan, talk to a Japanese person, and you’ll quickly realize: yes, you absolutely can love a mountain. Mount Fuji, or Fuji-san as it’s called in Japan, is not just a mountain. It’s the mountain. It’s less outdoor attraction… Continue reading
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Is sumo actually a sport?
What do you picture when you think of sumo? Big guys pushing each other out of a ring? You’re not wrong – but you’re also missing about 90% of the story. For most Japanese people, sumo isn’t just a sport.… Continue reading
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Is sushi the national food of Japan?
I say Japan, you say sushi, right? For many people in the United States and Europe, sushi is the food they confidently associate with Japan. Things get a little trickier with ramen, bento—or kimchi. Could you tell which is actually… Continue reading
