謹賀新年 – Happy New Year
“謹賀新年” is read as kinga shinnen. It means “happy new year” in Japanese, but it is only used as a written greeting for nengajo, …
大晦日 – New Year’s Eve 2017
New Year’s Eve is called Ōmisoka in Japanese. Through the ages Japanese people have believed that the Shinto God, Toshigami will visit …
正月飾り – Shōgatsu Kazari
Shōgatsu kazari is the generic term of all types of Japanese New Year’s decorations. Shōgatsu kazari is usually suggested to be put …
妖怪 – Yōkai
In Japanese folklore Yōkai are supernatural beings of many kinds including monsters, spirits, ghosts, and demons. Some of them are friendly and …
Tipping in Japan
The custom of tipping is not common in Japan as it is in the U.S. While you can tip a personal driver, …
招き猫 – Maneki Neko
Maneki-neko is a Japanese lucky charm of a cat and is also called “beckoning cat” in English. Today it is well known …
節分 – Setsubun
Setsubun is the day before a new season starts. According to the Japanese calendar setsubun for Spring 2017 is the February 3rd. …
しめ飾り – Shimekazari
Shimekazari is a decorated shimenawa. Today many households just put up shimekazari like any other new year’s decoration; but traditionally its purpose was to attract …
しめ縄 – Shimenawa
A shimenawa is a rope that people display in shrines and households. The purpose of a shimenawa is to attract the notice of Shinto gods, …
左上右下 – Sajō Uge
Please look closely at these fish. Do you notice anything about how they are served??? The head is always on the left and the tail is to …