Hospitality (596) | Japan Culture Navi

ArtsEssential geiko芸者と舞妓professional entertainers trained in dance, music and hosting

ArtsEssential Japanese garden日本庭園the traditional garden

ArtsEssential bonsai盆栽trees grown in trays

ArtsEssential wadaiko和太鼓Japanese drums and the ensembles that play them

BuddhismEssential gojunoto五重塔the five-storied pagoda

BuddhismEssential gassho合掌putting the hands together

BuddhismEssential daibutsu大仏the great Buddha statues

BuddhismEssential telling Buddhist statues apart仏像の見分け方the four ranks of Buddhist image and how to read them

Martial ArtsEssential puro yakyuプロ野球Japanese professional baseball

Martial ArtsEssential mawashiまわしthe thick belt a sumo wrestler wraps around the body and grips during a bout

Martial ArtsEssential rajio taisoラジオ体操the national radio exercise routine

Martial ArtsEssential gyoji行司the referee who judges a sumo bout

Martial ArtsEssential judo柔道the martial art that became an Olympic sport

Martial ArtsEssential sumo相撲Japan's national sport and Shinto ritual

Martial ArtsEssential dojo道場a training hall

Martial ArtsEssential dogi道着the uniform worn for judo, karate, kendo, and other martial arts

ClothingEssential tenugui手ぬぐいa thin cotton cloth

ClothingEssential kimono着物the traditional Japanese garment

ClothingEssential migimae着物の右前wearing a kimono with the left side over the right

ClothingEssential kimono rental着物レンタルrenting a kimono instead of owning one

ClothingEssential furoshiki風呂敷a wrapping cloth

ClothingEssential yukata浴衣a light cotton kimono for summer

ConceptsEssential omotenashiおもてなしJapanese hospitality

ConceptsEssential otagaisamaお互いさまwe all need help sometimes, so no debt is owed

ConceptsEssential ojama shimasuお邪魔しますwhat you say when entering someone's home

ConceptsEssential jankenじゃんけんrock-paper-scissors, used by adults to decide almost anything

ConceptsEssential yoroshiku onegaishimasuよろしくお願いしますthe phrase with no English equivalent

ConceptsEssential aisatsu挨拶greetings as a social duty

ConceptsEssential kansai-ben関西弁the dialect spoken around Osaka and Kyoto

ConceptsEssential go ni itte wa go ni shitagae郷に入っては郷に従えwhen in a place, follow its ways

CraftsEssential origami折り紙paper folding

CraftsEssential noren暖簾the split cloth curtain hung at a shop entrance

Annual EventsEssential osechiおせち料理the New Year food packed in stacked boxes

Annual EventsEssential oshogatsuお正月the Japanese New Year

Annual EventsEssential otoshidamaお年玉New Year money given to children

Annual EventsEssential Golden Weekゴールデンウィークthe spring holiday cluster

Annual EventsEssential kodomo no hiこどもの日Children's Day and the carp streamers

Annual EventsEssential valentineバレンタインデーthe day women give chocolate, and the day men return it

Annual EventsEssential white dayホワイトデーMarch 14, the return gift for Valentine's Day

Annual EventsEssential yatai夏祭りの屋台festival food stalls

Annual EventsEssential hanabi taikai花火大会the summer fireworks festival

Annual EventsEssential hanami花見cherry blossom viewing

Annual EventsEssential matsuri祭りa local festival

Annual EventsEssential matsuri no yatai祭りの屋台the food and game stalls at a festival

Annual EventsEssential hatsumode初詣the first shrine visit of the year

Annual EventsEssential hatsuhinode初日の出the first sunrise of the New Year

Annual EventsEssential hatsuuri and fukubukuro初売りと福袋New Year sales and lucky bags

Annual EventsEssential hinamatsuri雛祭りthe doll festival on March 3rd

Annual EventsEssential omisoka大晦日New Year's Eve in Japan

Annual EventsEssential christmas japan日本のクリスマスChristmas as a couples' night with fried chicken

Annual EventsEssential Japanese public holidays日本の祝日the national holiday calendar

Annual EventsEssential bonenkai忘年会the year-end party to forget the year

Annual EventsEssential bonenkai and shinnenkai忘年会と新年会year-end and new-year parties

Annual EventsEssential bon odori盆踊りthe summer circle dance

FolkloreEssential omikujiおみくじfortune slips at shrines

FolkloreEssential enmusubi縁結びmatchmaking, or bringing people together through fate

FolkloreEssential eto干支the twelve-year cycle of zodiac animals

FolkloreEssential avoiding four and nine四と九を避けるunlucky numbers in Japan

FolkloreEssential maneki neko招き猫the beckoning cat

FolkloreEssential senbazuru千羽鶴a thousand folded cranes, given as a wish for recovery or peace

Food & DrinkEssential ankoあんこsweet red bean paste

Food & DrinkEssential itadakimasuいただきますwhat we say before eating

Food & DrinkEssential inari-zushiいなり寿司sushi rice stuffed in a sweet fried tofu pouch

Food & DrinkEssential unagiうなぎfreshwater eel, grilled and glazed

Food & DrinkEssential onigiriおにぎりa rice ball with a filling

Food & DrinkEssential okonomiyakiお好み焼きa savory pancake you often cook yourself

Food & DrinkEssential otoshiお通しthe small dish an izakaya serves automatically as a seat charge

Food & DrinkEssential kakigoriかき氷shaved ice

Food & DrinkEssential katsudonカツ丼the pork cutlet rice bowl students eat before an exam

Food & DrinkEssential curry riceカレーライスJapanese curry

Food & DrinkEssential shabu-shabuしゃぶしゃぶbeef swished in hot broth

Food & DrinkEssential sukiyakiすき焼きbeef simmered at the table

Food & DrinkEssential soba and udonそばとうどんthe two traditional Japanese noodles

Food & DrinkEssential takoyakiたこ焼きoctopus batter balls

Food & DrinkEssential chanko nabeちゃんこ鍋the hearty hot-pot meal associated with sumo stables

Food & DrinkEssential chirashi-zushiちらし寿司sushi rice topped or mixed with a variety of ingredients

Food & DrinkEssential tonkatsuとんかつbreaded deep-fried pork cutlet

Food & DrinkEssential beer gardenビアガーデンthe rooftop beer gardens that open only for the summer

Food & DrinkEssential furikakeふりかけa dry seasoning sprinkled over rice

Food & DrinkEssential manjuまんじゅうthe steamed bun filled with sweet bean paste

Food & DrinkEssential ramenラーメンChinese-style noodle soup, remade in Japan

Food & DrinkEssential wasabiわさびJapanese horseradish grated from a fresh root

Food & DrinkEssential ichiju sansai一汁三菜one soup and three dishes, the standard shape of a Japanese meal

Food & DrinkEssential ekiben駅弁station lunch boxes

Food & DrinkEssential kaiten-zushi回転寿司conveyor belt sushi

Food & DrinkEssential nori海苔the sheets of dried seaweed used for rice balls and sushi rolls

Food & DrinkEssential katsuobushi鰹節dried, smoked and fermented bonito, shaved into flakes for stock

Food & DrinkEssential gyudon牛丼beef over rice

Food & DrinkEssential izakaya居酒屋the Japanese pub where food comes first

Food & DrinkEssential kushikatsu串カツskewered, breaded and deep-fried food

Food & DrinkEssential konbu昆布the kelp that gives Japanese stock its savory depth

Food & DrinkEssential zoni雑煮the New Year soup with rice cakes in it

Food & DrinkEssential sashimi刺身raw fish served without rice

Food & DrinkEssential nimono煮物Japanese home-style simmered dishes

Food & DrinkEssential sushi寿司vinegared rice with fish or other toppings

Food & DrinkEssential yakizakana焼き魚grilled fish with salt

Food & DrinkEssential yakitori焼き鳥grilled chicken skewers

Food & DrinkEssential yakiniku焼肉grill-it-yourself barbecue

Food & DrinkEssential shoyu醤油soy sauce

Food & DrinkEssential tabehodai食べ放題an all-you-can-eat meal with a time limit

Food & DrinkEssential oyakodon親子丼chicken and egg on rice, and the name nobody expects

Food & DrinkEssential daifuku大福the pounded rice cake wrapped around sweet bean paste

Food & DrinkEssential teishoku定食a set meal built around rice, soup and a main dish

Food & DrinkEssential tempura天ぷらlightly battered deep-fried seafood and vegetables

Food & DrinkEssential karaage唐揚げJapanese fried chicken

Food & DrinkEssential tofu豆腐bean curd

Food & DrinkEssential nabe鍋the shared hot pot at the center of the table

Food & DrinkEssential nihonshu日本酒Japanese rice wine

Food & DrinkEssential natto納豆fermented soybeans

Food & DrinkEssential bento弁当a packed meal in a box

Food & DrinkEssential matcha抹茶powdered green tea

Food & DrinkEssential miso味噌fermented soybean paste

Food & DrinkEssential miso soup味噌汁the soup served with almost every Japanese meal

Food & DrinkEssential mochi餅pounded rice cake

Food & DrinkEssential tamagoyaki卵焼きthe rolled omelette, sweet or savory depending on where you are

Food & DrinkEssential tachigui soba立ち食いそばstanding soba stalls for a fast, cheap meal

Food & DrinkEssential ryokucha緑茶Japanese green tea

Food & DrinkEssential washoku和食traditional Japanese cuisine

Food & DrinkEssential donburi丼ものa bowl of rice with something cooked served on top

Food & DrinkEssential gyoza餃子pan-fried dumplings

HistoryEssential gengo元号the Japanese era name

HistoryEssential Japanese castle城a castle of the warlord era

Home & LivingEssential kotatsuこたつa low table with a heater and a quilt

Home & LivingEssential separate toilet and bathトイレと風呂が別why the toilet is not in the bathroom

Home & LivingEssential madori間取りの見方how to read a Japanese rental floor plan

Home & LivingEssential genkan玄関the sunken entryway of a Japanese home

Home & LivingEssential zabuton座布団a floor cushion for sitting

Home & LivingEssential tatami畳woven straw floor mats

Home & LivingEssential futon布団the bedding you lay out and put away

Home & LivingEssential monohoshi zao物干し竿the laundry pole used to dry clothes outdoors

Home & LivingEssential washitsu和室a traditional tatami room

Life EventsEssential nengajo年賀状New Year greeting cards

MannersEssential ojigiお辞儀bowing

MannersEssential oshakuお酌pouring for each other

MannersEssential taking your rubbish homeごみを持ち帰るcarrying your litter with you because there are no bins

MannersEssential honorifics sanさん付けwhy names always have something attached

MannersEssential sumimasenすみませんsorry / excuse me / thank you

MannersEssential slippersスリッパindoor slippers and the toilet pair

MannersEssential automatic taxi doorsタクシーの自動ドアthe door that opens by itself

MannersEssential no tippingチップがないwhy Japan has no tipping culture

MannersEssential eshaku会釈the small nod-bow used in passing

MannersEssential taking off your shoes靴を脱ぐremoving shoes indoors

MannersEssential holes in your socks靴下に穴why this matters more here

MannersEssential finishing your food残さず食べるleaving nothing on the plate

MannersEssential asking before you photograph写真を撮る前のひと言when you need permission

MannersEssential shugibukuro祝儀袋と不祝儀袋the envelopes for celebration and condolence money

MannersEssential omiyage for the office職場のお土産bringing back sweets for colleagues

MannersEssential tabearuki食べ歩きeating while walking

MannersEssential train etiquette電車の中のマナーwhy Japanese trains are so quiet

MannersEssential chopstick taboos箸のタブーthings you must never do with chopsticks

MannersEssential handing things with both hands物は両手で渡すwhy two hands matter

MannersEssential slurping noodles麺をすするwhy noodles are eaten noisily

MannersEssential men wo susuru oto麺をすする音slurping noodles out loud

MannersEssential queueing列に並ぶwhy Japanese queues are so orderly

Modern JapanEssential oshibori and free waterおしぼりと水the wet towel and water that arrive before you order

Modern JapanEssential cashless paymentキャッシュレス決済paying by card, IC card or QR code instead of cash

Modern JapanEssential gomi bunbetsuゴミの分別sorting your rubbish

Modern JapanEssential konbiniコンビニthe Japanese convenience store

Modern JapanEssential depachikaデパ地下the department store food hall

Modern JapanEssential drugstoreドラッグストアJapan's hybrid of a pharmacy and a discount supermarket

Modern JapanEssential seirikenバスの整理券the numbered ticket that tracks your bus fare

Modern JapanEssential family restaurantファミリーレストランthe all-purpose chain restaurant, and the drink bar

Modern JapanEssential plastic bag chargeレジ袋の有料化paying for shopping bags

Modern JapanEssential kafunsho花粉症hay fever, mostly from cedar pollen

Modern JapanEssential eew緊急地震速報Japan's earthquake early warning alert

Modern JapanEssential IC card交通系ICカードthe tap card that works almost everywhere

Modern JapanEssential public toilets公共のトイレclean public toilets, free to use

Modern JapanEssential service-area高速道路のサービスエリアとパーキングエリアthe rest stops built into Japan's expressways

Modern JapanEssential Yamanote line山手線the loop line that connects most of central Tokyo

Modern JapanEssential shokkenki食券機the meal ticket machine at the door

Modern JapanEssential shinkansen新幹線the bullet train

Modern JapanEssential tap water水道水が飲めることwhy you can drink from the tap

Modern JapanEssential taifu台風the typhoons that reach Japan each year

Modern JapanEssential takkyubin宅配便home delivery service

Modern JapanEssential jishin e no sonae地震への備えhow Japan prepares for earthquakes

Modern JapanEssential punctual trains電車の定時運行why Japanese trains run on time

Modern JapanEssential manin densha満員電車the packed commuter train

Modern JapanEssential yomichi no anzen夜道の安全why walking at night feels safe in Japan

Seasons & NatureEssential tsubame no suツバメの巣the swallow nests built above shop entrances every spring

Seasons & NatureEssential kosa黄砂the yellow dust blown in from deserts on the Asian continent

Seasons & NatureEssential volcanoes and earthquakes火山と地震living on an unstable archipelago

Seasons & NatureEssential koyo紅葉autumn leaves, and going to look at them

Seasons & NatureEssential tsuyu梅雨the rainy season

Seasons & NatureEssential Mount Fuji as a sacred mountain富士山と信仰Mount Fuji and mountain worship

Seasons & NatureEssential mosho猛暑日extreme summer heat in Japan

Onsen & BathEssential furoお風呂the Japanese home bath

Onsen & BathEssential kakeyuかけ湯rinsing yourself before entering the bath

Onsen & BathEssential onsen温泉a natural hot spring bath

Onsen & BathEssential swimsuits and onsen温泉と水着why bathing nude, not in a swimsuit, is the norm at most onsen

Onsen & BathEssential ashiyu足湯foot baths

Onsen & BathEssential kashikiri-buro貸切風呂a small bath a ryokan rents out to one group at a time

Onsen & BathEssential otokoyu and onnayu男湯と女湯the separate men's and women's baths

Onsen & BathEssential yuatari湯あたりfeeling dizzy or unwell from soaking in hot spring water too long

Onsen & BathEssential yuagari湯上がりの一杯the drink after the bath

Onsen & BathEssential higaeri onsen日帰り温泉a day-use hot spring with no overnight stay

Onsen & BathEssential atsuburo熱い風呂を好む文化the Japanese taste for baths hotter than most visitors expect

Onsen & BathEssential sulfur smell硫黄のにおいthe rotten-egg smell of sulfur hot springs

Onsen & BathEssential rotenburo露天風呂open-air bath

PlacesEssential the Great Buddha of Kamakura鎌倉の大仏the bronze Buddha that sits outdoors because its hall was destroyed

PlacesEssential Gion祇園と花街the old Kyoto quarter where geiko and maiko still work

PlacesEssential kyoto京都the capital for a thousand years, and how to explain it

PlacesEssential Kinkakuji金閣寺the Golden Pavilion in Kyoto

PlacesEssential Ginkakuji銀閣寺the Silver Pavilion in Kyoto, which has no silver on it

PlacesEssential Harajuku and Omotesando原宿と表参道the youth fashion street and the tree-lined avenue beside it

PlacesEssential Itsukushima Shrine厳島神社the shrine built over the sea, with a torii gate standing in the water

PlacesEssential Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park広島と平和記念公園the park in the middle of Hiroshima built where the city was destroyed

PlacesEssential Kokyo皇居と二重橋where the Emperor lives, on the site of Edo Castle

PlacesEssential Akihabara秋葉原the Tokyo district that went from radio parts to anime

PlacesEssential the Shibuya scramble crossing渋谷スクランブル交差点the all-way pedestrian crossing outside Shibuya Station

PlacesEssential Shinjuku and Kabukicho新宿と歌舞伎町the world's busiest station and the entertainment district beside it

PlacesEssential Kiyomizudera清水寺the Kyoto temple with a wooden stage built out over a hillside

PlacesEssential Asakusa浅草the old temple district in eastern Tokyo

PlacesEssential osaka大阪the merchant city, and how it differs from Tokyo

PlacesEssential Tsukiji and Toyosu築地と豊洲the old fish market street and the new wholesale market

PlacesEssential Tokyo Tower東京タワーthe red and white broadcasting tower built in 1958

PlacesEssential Todaiji東大寺と奈良の大仏the Nara temple housing a 15-meter bronze Buddha in a vast wooden hall

PlacesEssential Dotonbori道頓堀the canal-side street in Osaka with the running-man sign

PlacesEssential the deer of Nara Park奈良公園の鹿the wild deer that roam a city park in Nara

PlacesEssential Shirakawago白川郷the mountain village of steep thatched farmhouses

PlacesEssential Hakone箱根the hot spring area in the mountains west of Tokyo

PlacesEssential Himeji Castle姫路城the white castle in Hyogo, the best-preserved original keep in Japan

PlacesEssential Mount Fuji富士山Japan's highest mountain, an active volcano and a World Cultural Heritage site

PlacesEssential Fushimi Inari Taisha伏見稲荷大社the Kyoto shrine with thousands of vermilion torii gates up a mountain

PlacesEssential Meiji Jingu明治神宮the Tokyo shrine set in a forest that was planted from nothing

PlacesEssential Arashiyama嵐山the district of western Kyoto with the bridge, the temple garden and the bamboo path

Pop CultureEssential VTuberVチューバーa performer who streams and posts videos as an animated character instead of showing their real face

Pop CultureEssential animeアニメJapanese animation

Pop CultureEssential karaokeカラオケsinging to a backing track

Pop CultureEssential kawaiiかわいいthe aesthetic of cuteness

Pop CultureEssential terebi gemuテレビゲームhome video games

Pop CultureEssential manga漫画Japanese comics

School LifeEssential randoseruランドセルthe hard leather backpack every primary school child carries

School LifeEssential tosuhan登校班children walking to school in groups

ShintoEssential omamoriお守りa protective charm from a shrine or temple

ShintoEssential sando参道the approach to a shrine

ShintoEssential how to pray at a shrine参拝の作法the two bows, two claps, one bow routine

ShintoEssential chozuya手水舎the water pavilion where you rinse your hands before praying

ShintoEssential shrines and temples神社と寺の違いhow to tell a Shinto shrine from a Buddhist temple

ShintoEssential mikoshi神輿the portable shrine carried through the streets at a festival

ShintoEssential torii鳥居the gate at the entrance to a shrine

ShintoEssential saisen賽銭the offering you throw in

Work CultureEssential otsukaresamaお疲れさまthe all-purpose word for acknowledging someone's work

Work CultureEssential calling people by title役職で呼ぶaddressing colleagues by their job title

ArtsStandard igo囲碁the board game of go

ArtsStandard kabuki歌舞伎classical Japanese theater

ArtsStandard emaki絵巻the painted handscroll you unroll section by section

ArtsStandard kakejiku掛け軸a hanging scroll displayed in an alcove

ArtsStandard kyogen狂言the comic theater performed alongside noh

ArtsStandard koto琴the thirteen-stringed Japanese zither

ArtsStandard karesansui枯山水the dry landscape garden

ArtsStandard shamisen三味線the three-stringed instrument played with a large plectrum

ArtsStandard shishimai獅子舞the lion dance that bites your head for luck

ArtsStandard shodo書道Japanese calligraphy

ArtsStandard ikebana生け花Japanese flower arrangement

ArtsStandard stone lanterns and water basins石灯籠と蹲踞the stone furniture of a Japanese garden

ArtsStandard chashitsu茶室the room built for a tea gathering

ArtsStandard sado茶道the way of tea

ArtsStandard nomen能面the masks worn in noh theater

ArtsStandard mokuhanga木版画the woodblock printing behind ukiyo-e

ArtsStandard rakugo落語solo comic storytelling

ArtsStandard byobu屏風a folding screen

BuddhismStandard Ojizo-sanお地蔵さんthe roadside guardian of children

BuddhismStandard Kannon観音the bodhisattva of compassion

BuddhismStandard zazen座禅seated Zen meditation

BuddhismStandard shakyo写経copying a sutra by hand

BuddhismStandard joya no kane除夜の鐘the 108 bells on New Year's Eve

BuddhismStandard bonsho梵鐘the temple bell struck from the outside

Martial ArtsStandard ekiden駅伝long-distance relay running

Martial ArtsStandard karate空手the striking martial art from Okinawa

Martial ArtsStandard kendo剣道Japanese fencing with bamboo swords

Martial ArtsStandard high school baseball and Koshien高校野球と甲子園the national high school baseball tournament

Martial ArtsStandard shiko四股the sumo leg-raising movement, done as training and as a rite

Martial ArtsStandard ukemi受け身the breakfall technique that lets you get thrown without getting hurt

Martial ArtsStandard seiza and mokuso正座と黙想kneeling and the short silent sitting at the start and end of practice

Martial ArtsStandard sumo beya相撲部屋the stable where wrestlers live

Martial ArtsStandard honbasho大相撲の本場所the six official grand sumo tournaments held each year

Martial ArtsStandard dohyo土俵the raised clay ring a sumo bout is fought in

Martial ArtsStandard dohyo-iri土俵入りthe ring-entering ceremony performed by top sumo wrestlers before their bouts

Martial ArtsStandard tachiai and shikiri立合いと仕切りthe charge that starts a sumo bout, and the ritual staring before it

Martial ArtsStandard yabusame流鏑馬archery from a galloping horse

ClothingStandard geta下駄wooden sandals

ClothingStandard gakuseifuku学生服the classic Japanese school uniform: the stand-collar jacket and the sailor blouse

ClothingStandard kinchaku巾着a small drawstring pouch used with a kimono, or as a kids' bag

ClothingStandard momohiki, tekko, and kyahan股引・手甲・脚絆the fitted leggings and arm and shin wraps worn for festival and traditional work

ClothingStandard jinbei and samue甚平と作務衣easy Japanese clothes you can actually wear

ClothingStandard setta雪駄flat sandals with a bamboo-sheath top and a leather sole, worn with kimono

ClothingStandard mofuku喪服the black clothing worn to a funeral

ClothingStandard zori草履flat thonged sandals

ClothingStandard tabi足袋split-toe socks

ClothingStandard graduation hakama卒業式の袴the skirt-trousers worn at graduation

ClothingStandard obi帯the wide sash worn with a kimono

ClothingStandard obijime and obiage帯締めと帯揚げthe cord and scarf that finish a kimono's sash

ClothingStandard kitsuke着付けputting a kimono on

ClothingStandard hanten半纏the padded winter jacket worn at home

ConceptsStandard ki ga kiku気が利くnoticing what's needed and acting on it without being asked

ConceptsStandard kikubari気配りproactive thoughtfulness toward others' needs

CraftsStandard yosegi-zaiku寄木細工Hakone wooden marquetry made from woods of different natural colors

CraftsStandard magewappa曲げわっぱa bentwood box made from a thin sheet of cedar

CraftsStandard nishikigoi錦鯉ornamental koi carp bred for color, once called swimming jewels

CraftsStandard maki-e蒔絵lacquer decoration made by sprinkling gold or silver powder onto wet lacquer

CraftsStandard urushi漆器lacquerware

CraftsStandard yakimono no sanchi焼き物の産地the pottery towns that each make a distinct kind of ware

CraftsStandard sensu扇子folding fan

CraftsStandard kumiko組子geometric wooden lattice patterns assembled without a single nail

CraftsStandard chochin提灯paper lanterns

CraftsStandard nihonto日本刀the Japanese sword

CraftsStandard furin風鈴wind chimes

CraftsStandard aizome藍染indigo dyeing

CraftsStandard washi和紙traditional Japanese paper

Annual EventsStandard otsukimiお月見moon viewing in autumn

Annual EventsStandard Sapporo Snow Festivalさっぽろ雪まつりthe February festival of giant snow sculptures in Sapporo

Annual EventsStandard umi no hi海の日Marine Day, the third Monday of July

Annual EventsStandard kanto matsuri竿燈まつりthe Akita festival of lantern poles balanced on one hand

Annual EventsStandard kisei rush帰省ラッシュthe mass return to the hometown

Annual EventsStandard kagamimochi鏡餅と鏡開きthe stacked New Year rice cakes

Annual EventsStandard goyo osame御用納めと仕事始めthe last and first working days of the year

Annual EventsStandard yama no hi山の日Mountain Day, August 11th, Japan's newest public holiday

Annual EventsStandard nanakusa七草がゆthe seven-herb porridge eaten on January 7th

Annual EventsStandard tanabata七夕the star festival

Annual EventsStandard new year games正月の遊びthe traditional games played at New Year

Annual EventsStandard shoryo uma精霊馬the cucumber horse and eggplant cow made for Obon

Annual EventsStandard setsubun節分the bean-throwing festival at the start of spring

Annual EventsStandard doyo no ushi土用の丑の日the day everyone eats eel

Annual EventsStandard toji and yuzu bath冬至とゆず湯the winter solstice and citrus baths

Annual EventsStandard toro nagashi灯籠流しfloating lanterns for the dead

Annual EventsStandard tori no ichi酉の市the November rake market for good business

Annual EventsStandard halloween japan日本のハロウィンHalloween as a street costume event

Annual EventsStandard kadomatsu門松the pine and bamboo arrangement placed at the door for the New Year

FolkloreStandard Kaguya-himeかぐや姫the girl found in a bamboo stalk who returns to the moon

FolkloreStandard darumaだるまthe round wish doll with no eyes

FolkloreStandard kaidan怪談Japanese ghost stories

FolkloreStandard oni鬼the horned ogre of Japanese folklore

FolkloreStandard foxes and Inari狐と稲荷why shrines are guarded by foxes

FolkloreStandard tesou手相Japanese palm reading

FolkloreStandard morishio盛り塩the small cone of salt placed at an entrance

FolkloreStandard crane and turtle鶴と亀symbols of long life

FolkloreStandard hamaya破魔矢the arrow you buy at New Year

FolkloreStandard yokai妖怪Japanese supernatural creatures

FolkloreStandard ryu龍the East Asian dragon

Food & DrinkStandard anpanあんぱんthe sweet bean bun that made bread Japanese

Food & DrinkStandard odenおでんa winter stew of fish cakes, daikon and eggs

Food & DrinkStandard konnyakuこんにゃくa jelly-like food made from a starchy tuber

Food & DrinkStandard gotochi gourmetご当地グルメlocal specialty foods, and the towns that market them

Food & DrinkStandard somenそうめんvery thin cold noodles

Food & DrinkStandard taiyakiたい焼きfish-shaped cake with bean paste

Food & DrinkStandard champonちゃんぽんthe Nagasaki noodle dish invented for Chinese students

Food & DrinkStandard dorayakiどら焼きtwo small pancakes with sweet red bean paste between them

Food & DrinkStandard monjayakiもんじゃ焼きthe runny Tokyo griddle dish you eat straight off the hotplate

Food & DrinkStandard onsen tamago温泉卵the egg cooked the other way round

Food & DrinkStandard kaiseki懐石料理the formal multi-course meal, and the two different things called kaiseki

Food & DrinkStandard amazake甘酒the sweet rice drink, with and without alcohol

Food & DrinkStandard kissaten喫茶店the old-style Japanese coffee shop

Food & DrinkStandard ehomaki恵方巻the uncut sushi roll eaten facing a set direction at Setsubun

Food & DrinkStandard sansai and mushrooms山菜ときのこwild vegetables and mushrooms from the mountains

Food & DrinkStandard shochu焼酎a distilled Japanese spirit

Food & DrinkStandard ishiyakiimo石焼き芋sweet potatoes roasted in hot stones, sold from a truck

Food & DrinkStandard dagashi駄菓子the cheap sweets children buy with their own money

Food & DrinkStandard dango団子rice flour dumplings on a skewer

Food & DrinkStandard chawanmushi茶碗蒸しsavory steamed egg custard

Food & DrinkStandard tsukemono漬物Japanese pickles served alongside rice

Food & DrinkStandard nanban-gashi南蛮菓子the sweets the Portuguese brought in the 1500s

Food & DrinkStandard umeboshi梅干しsalted pickled plums

Food & DrinkStandard umeshu梅酒plum liqueur, and the one alcohol Japanese households legally make

Food & DrinkStandard mugicha麦茶cold barley tea

Food & DrinkStandard miso dengaku味噌田楽tofu or vegetables on skewers, grilled with sweet miso

Food & DrinkStandard meibutsu-gashi銘菓と土産菓子the local sweets people buy as souvenirs

Food & DrinkStandard hiyashi chuka冷やし中華the cold noodle dish that appears for one season only

Food & DrinkStandard wagashi和菓子traditional Japanese sweets

HistoryStandard the 1964 Tokyo Olympics1964年の東京オリンピックthe games that announced Japan's recovery

HistoryStandard kaido and shukuba街道と宿場the Edo highways and their post towns

HistoryStandard national treasures and important cultural properties国宝と重要文化財how Japan designates what it protects

HistoryStandard jokamachi城下町a town laid out around a castle

HistoryStandard ninja忍者the covert agents of feudal Japan

Home & LivingStandard 1LDK1LDKhow Japanese floor plans are labeled

Home & LivingStandard unit bathユニットバスthe Japanese bathroom layout

Home & LivingStandard irori囲炉裏the open hearth sunk into the floor

Home & LivingStandard amado雨戸sliding storm shutters

Home & LivingStandard oshiire押し入れthe deep sliding-door closet

Home & LivingStandard fusuma and shoji襖と障子the sliding paper doors of a Japanese house

Home & LivingStandard katori senko蚊取り線香mosquito coil

Home & LivingStandard sotoboshi外干しdrying laundry and futons outdoors

Home & LivingStandard kawara yane瓦屋根the tiled roof

Home & LivingStandard tataki玄関のたたきthe sunken entryway floor where shoes come off

Home & LivingStandard gassho-zukuri and thatched roofs合掌造りと茅葺きthe steep thatched farmhouses of the snow country

Home & LivingStandard shichirin七輪the small portable charcoal grill

Home & LivingStandard storage and decluttering収納と片づけliving well in a small space

Home & LivingStandard tokonoma床の間the alcove in a tatami room

Home & LivingStandard uchimizu打ち水sprinkling water on the ground to cool the air

Home & LivingStandard heating appliances暖房器具how Japanese homes are heated

Home & LivingStandard machiya町家the narrow deep townhouse of an old merchant quarter

Home & LivingStandard cold Japanese houses日本の家の寒さwhy homes are cold in winter

Home & LivingStandard Japanese kitchen日本の台所what a Japanese kitchen has and lacks

Home & LivingStandard wooden architecture木造建築why Japan builds in wood

Life EventsStandard oiwai no sekiお祝いの席a formal Japanese celebration meal

Life EventsStandard kanreki還暦と長寿の祝いbirthdays that mark a long life

Life EventsStandard nijikai結婚式の二次会the casual after-party that follows a wedding reception

Life EventsStandard koden香典condolence money brought to a funeral

Life EventsStandard shichi-go-san七五三the festival for children aged seven, five and three

Life EventsStandard shinzenshiki神前式a Shinto wedding

Life EventsStandard seijinshiki成人式the coming-of-age ceremony

Life EventsStandard tsuya通夜the wake held the night before a funeral

Life EventsStandard uchiiwai内祝いthe thank-you gift after a celebration

MannersStandard escalatorエスカレーターの片側空けstanding on one side, and why that is changing

MannersStandard warikan割り勘splitting the bill

MannersStandard kasa no manner傘のマナーhow umbrellas are handled in Japan

MannersStandard gestures指さしと手招きgestures that mean something different in Japan

MannersStandard temiyage手土産the gift you bring when you visit

MannersStandard seiza正座sitting on your heels

MannersStandard answering the phone電話の受け方phone manners at a Japanese company

MannersStandard blowing your nose鼻をかむwhy blowing your nose in public is avoided

MannersStandard meishi exchange名刺交換exchanging business cards

MannersStandard priority seats優先席seats set aside for those who need them

Modern JapanStandard hyaku-en shop100円ショップthe hundred-yen store

Modern JapanStandard washletウォシュレットthe Japanese high-tech toilet

Modern JapanStandard air conditioningエアコンと節電cooling a Japanese summer, and saving power

Modern JapanStandard capsule hotelカプセルホテルsleeping in a pod the size of a bed

Modern JapanStandard coin-laundryコインランドリーthe pay-per-use laundromat

Modern JapanStandard coin lockerコインロッカーstation luggage lockers

Modern JapanStandard net cafeネットカフェinternet cafe with private booths

Modern JapanStandard hazard-mapハザードマップthe map showing how bad flooding or a disaster could get at your address

Modern JapanStandard barrier freeバリアフリーaccessibility in Japan, and the yellow tactile paving it invented

Modern JapanStandard vinyl umbrellaビニール傘the clear plastic umbrella

Modern JapanStandard point cardsポイントカードloyalty points at every register

Modern JapanStandard point economyポイント経済why everyone in Japan is asked for a point card

Modern JapanStandard My Number cardマイナンバーカードthe national ID card that now also works as a health insurance card

Modern JapanStandard weather warnings気象警報Japan's tiered warning system and what each level means

Modern JapanStandard keikaku unkyu計画運休shutting down the trains before the storm arrives

Modern JapanStandard kenko-shindan健康診断the annual health checkup nearly every worker gets

Modern JapanStandard cash society現金社会why Japan still runs on cash

Modern JapanStandard koban交番the neighborhood police box

Modern JapanStandard kokumin kaihoken国民皆保険the public health insurance everyone in Japan is required to join

Modern JapanStandard jidohanbaiki自動販売機vending machines

Modern JapanStandard shuden終電the last train, and the way it shapes the night

Modern JapanStandard consumption tax消費税Japan's sales tax, its rises, and the reduced rate

Modern JapanStandard food samples食品サンプルthe plastic food in restaurant windows

Modern JapanStandard shinkansen window views新幹線の車窓the passing scenery, especially Mount Fuji, that makes the shinkansen ride itself an attraction

Modern JapanStandard seishun juhachi kippu青春18きっぷa budget ticket for unlimited local and rapid JR trains over several consecutive days

Modern JapanStandard takuhaibin宅配便と再配達home delivery and the problem of repeated attempts

Modern JapanStandard tenji block点字ブロックthe yellow tactile paving on the ground

Modern JapanStandard utility poles電柱と電線why so many overhead wires

Modern JapanStandard hassha melody発車メロディーstation departure jingles

Modern JapanStandard hanko判子the personal seal used instead of a signature

Modern JapanStandard hinan kunren避難訓練the evacuation drills everyone has done

Modern JapanStandard smoking rules分煙where you can and cannot smoke in Japan

Modern JapanStandard lost and found落とし物why lost things come back in Japan

Modern JapanStandard tachinomi立ち飲みthe standing bar, where you drink fast and cheap

Seasons & NatureStandard Okinawa and Hokkaido沖縄と北海道の気候the two ends of Japan's climate

Seasons & NatureStandard kiku菊chrysanthemum

Seasons & NatureStandard kingyo金魚goldfish, and the summer festival game of scooping them

Seasons & NatureStandard icho銀杏the ginkgo tree

Seasons & NatureStandard hotaru蛍fireflies

Seasons & NatureStandard sakura zensen桜前線the cherry blossom front

Seasons & NatureStandard ajisai紫陽花hydrangea

Seasons & NatureStandard shochikubai松竹梅pine, bamboo and plum

Seasons & NatureStandard yukiguni雪国Japan's heavy snow regions

Seasons & NatureStandard cicada song蝉の声the sound of a Japanese summer

Seasons & NatureStandard rivers and bridges川と橋Japan's short steep rivers

Seasons & NatureStandard tanada棚田terraced rice paddies cut into mountain slopes

Seasons & NatureStandard take竹bamboo

Onsen & BathStandard sauna and cold plungeサウナと水風呂sauna culture in Japan

Onsen & BathStandard super sentoスーパー銭湯large modern bathhouses

Onsen & BathStandard ichiban-buro一番風呂being the very first person into freshly drawn bathwater

Onsen & BathStandard tattoos and onsen温泉とタトゥーwhy tattoos can get you refused at a bath

Onsen & BathStandard the onsen mark温泉マークthe three-steam symbol used on maps and signs for hot springs

Onsen & BathStandard onsengai温泉街a hot spring town

Onsen & BathStandard kazoku buro家族風呂a private bath you can book

Onsen & BathStandard ganbanyoku岩盤浴lying on heated stone to sweat, a dry alternative to soaking in a bath

Onsen & BathStandard gensen kakenagashi源泉かけ流しhot spring water used once and let overflow, with nothing recirculated

Onsen & BathStandard Ibusuki sand bath指宿の砂むし温泉a hot sand bath on a beach warmed by hot spring water

Onsen & BathStandard sento銭湯the neighborhood public bath

Onsen & BathStandard nakai仲居the ryokan staff member who attends to your room and meals

Onsen & BathStandard soto-yu-meguri内湯と外湯めぐりhopping between a hot spring town's public bathhouses in a yukata

Onsen & BathStandard ryokan旅館a traditional Japanese inn

PlacesStandard Odaibaお台場the waterfront district built on reclaimed land in Tokyo Bay

PlacesStandard ferries and remote islandsフェリーと離島the ferry networks that connect Japan's thousands of smaller islands to the mainland

PlacesStandard yokohama横浜the fishing village that became Japan's door to the West

PlacesStandard Yakushima屋久島the southern island of ancient cedars and constant rain

PlacesStandard kanazawa金沢the castle town that escaped the bombing, and its gold leaf

PlacesStandard Ginza銀座the expensive shopping district named after a silver mint

PlacesStandard karuizawa軽井沢the highland resort that began as a missionary's summer escape

PlacesStandard Kenrokuen兼六園the Kanazawa garden named for the six qualities a perfect garden should have

PlacesStandard Takayama高山the mountain town in Gifu with preserved merchant streets and festival floats

PlacesStandard koyasan高野山the mountain monastery where you can stay the night

PlacesStandard sakurajima桜島the active volcano that drops ash on a city of 600,000

PlacesStandard Sanjusangendo三十三間堂the 120-meter hall in Kyoto holding 1,001 statues of Kannon

PlacesStandard shikoku pilgrimage四国八十八ヶ所the 1,200-kilometer circuit of eighty-eight temples

PlacesStandard Shurijo首里城と沖縄the palace of the Ryukyu Kingdom in Okinawa

PlacesStandard Ueno Park上野公園the Tokyo park holding the national museums, the zoo and the cherry trees

PlacesStandard Kinosaki Onsen城崎温泉a hot spring town in northern Hyogo known for its seven public bathhouses

PlacesStandard kobe神戸the port city between mountain and sea, rebuilt after an earthquake

PlacesStandard kusatsu onsen草津温泉the strongly acidic hot spring with the wooden cooling ritual

PlacesStandard Adachi Museum of Art足立美術館the Shimane museum whose garden is viewed like a painting, not walked in

PlacesStandard Nagasaki and Dejima長崎と出島the port that was Japan's only window to Europe, and the second atomic bombing

PlacesStandard Tokyo Skytree東京スカイツリーthe 634-meter broadcasting tower in eastern Tokyo

PlacesStandard Tokyo Station東京駅の駅舎the red brick station building of 1914, restored in 2012

PlacesStandard michi no eki道の駅roadside stations that sell local produce and let drivers rest

PlacesStandard dogo onsen道後温泉one of Japan's oldest hot springs, and its wooden bathhouse

PlacesStandard Nijojo二条城the Kyoto castle where the shogun gave power back to the Emperor

PlacesStandard Nikko Toshogu日光東照宮the shrine where Tokugawa Ieyasu is enshrined, covered in carvings

PlacesStandard Nihon Sankei日本三景the three famous views of Japan, chosen in the seventeenth century

PlacesStandard atami熱海the hot spring town that collapsed and came back

PlacesStandard fukuoka福岡the city closest to the continent, and its street food stalls

PlacesStandard Byodoin平等院鳳凰堂the eleventh-century temple hall on the ten-yen coin

PlacesStandard Beppu and Yufuin別府と湯布院the biggest hot spring town in Japan and the quiet one next to it

PlacesStandard beppu onsen別府温泉the town with the most hot spring water in Japan

PlacesStandard the scale of Hokkaido北海道の広さhow much bigger Hokkaido is than most visitors expect

PlacesStandard nagoya名古屋the industrial city between Tokyo and Osaka, with its own food

PlacesStandard Arima Onsen有馬温泉the old hot spring town in the hills behind Kobe

Pop CultureStandard gachagachaガチャガチャcapsule toy vending machine

Pop CultureStandard character bunkaキャラクター文化characters attached to everything

Pop CultureStandard game centerゲームセンターvideo game arcade

Pop CultureStandard cosplayコスプレdressing as a character

Pop CultureStandard purikuraプリクラphoto sticker booths

Pop CultureStandard yuru-kyaraゆるキャラlocal mascot characters

Pop CultureStandard Lolita fashionロリータファッションa modest, Victorian-inspired street fashion born in Harajuku, built around long skirts and frills

Pop CultureStandard onge音ゲーrhythm games

Pop CultureStandard hanafuda花札the flower card game

Pop CultureStandard kissaten morning service喫茶店とモーニングthe free breakfast set old-style coffee shops add to the price of a single coffee

Pop CultureStandard koshien cheering甲子園の応援the organized brass-band and stand cheering that fills the stadium during the national high school baseball tournament

Pop CultureStandard Kohaku Uta Gassen紅白歌合戦the New Year's Eve song contest on public television

Pop CultureStandard jidaigeki時代劇the period drama set before the Meiji era

Pop CultureStandard manga kissa漫画喫茶manga and internet cafes

School LifeStandard uwabaki上履きthe indoor shoes worn at school

School LifeStandard entrance and graduation ceremonies入学式と卒業式the formal ceremonies that open and close a school year

School LifeStandard bunkasai文化祭the school culture festival

ShintoStandard Ise Jingu伊勢神宮the central shrine of Shinto

ShintoStandard ema絵馬a wooden plaque you write a wish on

ShintoStandard Gion Matsuri祇園祭the month-long Kyoto festival that began as a rite against plague

ShintoStandard tamagushi玉串the evergreen sprig offered at a rite

ShintoStandard goshinboku御神木the sacred tree in a shrine precinct

ShintoStandard komainu狛犬the guardian pair at a shrine

ShintoStandard Izumo Taisha出雲大社the shrine where the gods gather

ShintoStandard sohonsha and bunsha総本社と分社head shrines and their thousands of branch shrines

ShintoStandard shimenawa注連縄the sacred rope

ShintoStandard chinju no mori鎮守の森the grove that surrounds a shrine

ShintoStandard Tenmangu天満宮と学問の神shrines of the deity of learning

Work CultureStandard nomikai飲み会the work drinking party

Work CultureStandard shutcho出張business trips and expense claims

Work CultureStandard settai接待entertaining clients

ArtsAdvanced gagaku雅楽the court music of Japan

ArtsAdvanced kodan講談storytelling of battles and heroes, told from behind a small desk

ArtsAdvanced kodo香道the way of incense

ArtsAdvanced bunraku文楽puppet theater with three operators to a puppet

BuddhismAdvanced temple buildings寺の伽藍what the buildings at a temple are

BuddhismAdvanced shojin ryori精進料理Buddhist temple cuisine

BuddhismAdvanced sotoba卒塔婆the wooden memorial tablet at a grave

Martial ArtsAdvanced osu押忍the all-purpose word shouted in martial arts dojos

Martial ArtsAdvanced kemari蹴鞠the Heian court game of keeping a ball in the air

ClothingAdvanced happi法被the straight-sleeved festival coat

CraftsAdvanced kokeshiこけしwooden dolls from the north

CraftsAdvanced denden daikoでんでん太鼓the pellet drum you shake to quiet a baby

CraftsAdvanced Edo kiriko江戸切子cut glass from Tokyo

CraftsAdvanced Nishijin-ori西陣織figured silk weaving from Kyoto

CraftsAdvanced kumihimo組紐braided cord

CraftsAdvanced takezaiku竹細工bamboo craft

CraftsAdvanced Nambu tekki南部鉄器Nambu cast ironware

CraftsAdvanced kigumi木組みjoining timber without nails

CraftsAdvanced yuzen友禅resist-dyed pictorial kimono

CraftsAdvanced Wajima-nuri輪島塗the lacquerware of Wajima, built up in over a hundred separate steps

Annual EventsAdvanced nagoshi no harae夏越の祓the midsummer purification

Annual EventsAdvanced jusanya十三夜the second moon-viewing night, about a month after the harvest moon

Annual EventsAdvanced hatsuyume初夢the first dream of the year, and what it is said to foretell

Annual EventsAdvanced hari kuyo針供養a memorial service for broken needles

FolkloreAdvanced bakedanuki化け狸the shape-shifting raccoon dog

FolkloreAdvanced kumade熊手the lucky rake for raking in business

FolkloreAdvanced shichifukujin七福神the seven lucky gods

Food & DrinkAdvanced tokorotenところてんseaweed jelly pushed into noodles, sweet in the west and sour in the east

Food & DrinkAdvanced yakatabune屋形船the roofed boat you eat and drink on

HistoryAdvanced kofun古墳ancient burial mounds

HistoryAdvanced Hiroshima and Nagasaki広島と長崎the atomic bombings and how they are remembered

HistoryAdvanced jinrikisha人力車the two-wheeled passenger cart Japan invented and exported

Home & LivingAdvanced oidaki追い焚きreheating the same bathwater

Home & LivingAdvanced amido網戸the sliding screen door

Home & LivingAdvanced ranma欄間the carved panel above the sliding doors

MannersAdvanced kamiza上座the seat of honor

Modern JapanAdvanced coin parkingコインパーキングunattended pay parking lots

Modern JapanAdvanced inkan-shomei印鑑証明the certificate proving your registered seal is genuine

Modern JapanAdvanced Japanese only signs外国人お断りwhy some businesses refuse foreign customers, and what the law does and does not say

Modern JapanAdvanced juminhyo住民票the address registration that everything else depends on

Seasons & NatureAdvanced koke苔moss

Seasons & NatureAdvanced shiohigari潮干狩りdigging for clams at low tide

Onsen & BathAdvanced hito秘湯a remote, hard-to-reach hot spring

PlacesAdvanced Mount Aso阿蘇山the active volcano in Kyushu with fifty thousand people living inside its caldera

PlacesAdvanced Kumano Kodo熊野古道the old pilgrimage routes through the mountains south of Osaka

PlacesAdvanced Shiretoko知床the northeastern peninsula where drift ice reaches its southern limit

PlacesAdvanced Tottori Sand Dunes鳥取砂丘the large coastal dunes on the Japan Sea, often mistaken for a desert

PlacesAdvanced Naoshima直島the small island in the Inland Sea turned into a contemporary art site

Pop CultureAdvanced maid cafeメイド喫茶maid cafe

Pop CultureAdvanced seichi junrei聖地巡礼visiting places from anime

Pop CultureAdvanced Takarazuka Revue宝塚歌劇団the all-female musical theater company

ShintoAdvanced goshuin御朱印a calligraphic seal stamped at a shrine or temple

ShintoAdvanced sakaki and tamagushi榊と玉串the evergreen branch offered in Shinto rites

ShintoAdvanced kagura神楽dance offered to the gods

ShintoAdvanced shrine architecture神社の建築how to read the buildings of a Shinto shrine

ShintoAdvanced reitaisai例大祭a shrine's own most important annual festival

Work CultureAdvanced horenso報連相report, contact, consult