Discovering Nikkō
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Nikkō (日光市 ) is one of the most picturesque cities in Japan. Nikkō, which means “sunshine” or “sunlight,” is situated in the mountains of Tochigi Prefecture.…
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Reliving the Past in Nara
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Heijō-kyō (平城京), also known as Nara no miyako, was the capital city of Japan during the Nara period (710–794 CE). During this time, Heijō-kyō was the country’s political…
Read ArticleCoffee, Tea, Spirits, and Cats
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Cats have been a strong part of Japan’s culture. Japan even has shrines devoted to cats—Nambujinja in Nagaoka (Niigata Prefecture), Konoshimajinja in Kyotango City (Kyoto), and Neko jinja…
Read ArticleBonsai: An Elevated Art Form
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The art form of bonsai (盆栽) has been a Japanese tradition for centuries. It originated from the Chinese tradition known as penjing (miniature landscapes of trees…
Read ArticleDissecting Godzilla
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The 1954 Japanese monster classic Godzilla, created by the renowned Ishirō Honda, never fails to be a worldwide box office hit with each remake. The latest…
Read ArticleMajestic Japanese Castles
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Japanese castles served as military defenses and were strategically placed in trading routes, rivers, and roads. They were also the center of governance in Japanese states. When the…
Read ArticleThe Legend of Ryūjin
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In Japanese folklore, Ryūgū-jō (竜宮城, 龍宮城, Dragon palace castle) is the underwater palace of the dragon god of the sea, Ryūjin. According to variations of the…
Read ArticleCreatures of Japanese Folklore
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Folklore is a rich resource to understand a particular culture. It tells us the legends, popular beliefs, and traditions of a people. It also gives us an idea why…
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