誤解されやすいの日本文化（493項目）

伝統芸能必修 芸者と舞妓geikoprofessional entertainers trained in dance, music and hosting

伝統芸能必修 俳句haikuthe seventeen-syllable poem

伝統芸能必修 浮世絵ukiyo-ewoodblock prints

伝統芸能必修 盆栽bonsaitrees grown in trays

伝統芸能必修 和太鼓wadaikoJapanese drums and the ensembles that play them

仏教必修 合掌gasshoputting the hands together

仏教必修 禅Zena school of Buddhism built on seated meditation

仏教必修 日本の仏教Buddhism in Japanhow Buddhism arrived, changed, and ended up handling funerals

武道必修 プロ野球puro yakyuJapanese professional baseball

武道必修 ラジオ体操rajio taisothe national radio exercise routine

武道必修 気合kiaithe shout that focuses breath and energy into a technique

武道必修 行司gyojithe referee who judges a sumo bout

武道必修 相撲sumoJapan's national sport and Shinto ritual

武道必修 道場dojoa training hall

着物必修 着物kimonothe traditional Japanese garment

着物必修 着物の右前migimaewearing a kimono with the left side over the right

着物必修 鉢巻hachimakia cloth headband tied around the head to show focus and team spirit

ことば必修 おもてなしomotenashiJapanese hospitality

ことば必修 がんばってganbattethe encouragement that is not quite good luck

ことば必修 よろしくお願いしますyoroshiku onegaishimasuthe phrase with no English equivalent

ことば必修 挨拶aisatsugreetings as a social duty

ことば必修 漢字・ひらがな・カタカナthe three Japanese scriptswhy Japanese is written with three writing systems at once

ことば必修 関西弁kansai-benthe dialect spoken around Osaka and Kyoto

ことば必修 出る杭は打たれるderu kui wa utareruthe stake that sticks out gets hammered down

ことば必修 助数詞josushithe counters Japanese puts after a number

ことば必修 先輩・後輩senpai and kohaiseniors and juniors

ことば必修 迷惑をかけないmeiwaku wo kakenainot causing trouble for others

ことば必修 和製英語wasei-eigoEnglish-looking words made in Japan

工芸必修 金継ぎkintsugirepairing broken pottery with lacquer and gold

工芸必修 暖簾norenthe split cloth curtain hung at a shop entrance

年中行事必修 ゴールデンウィークGolden Weekthe spring holiday cluster

年中行事必修 バレンタインデーvalentinethe day women give chocolate, and the day men return it

年中行事必修 ホワイトデーwhite dayMarch 14, the return gift for Valentine's Day

年中行事必修 大晦日omisokaNew Year's Eve in Japan

年中行事必修 日本のクリスマスchristmas japanChristmas as a couples' night with fried chicken

年中行事必修 日本の祝日Japanese public holidaysthe national holiday calendar

年中行事必修 忘年会bonenkaithe year-end party to forget the year

妖怪必修 てるてる坊主teru teru bozua little white doll hung by the window to wish for sunny weather

妖怪必修 縁起engiwhether something is considered lucky or unlucky

妖怪必修 四と九を避けるavoiding four and nineunlucky numbers in Japan

妖怪必修 招き猫maneki nekothe beckoning cat

食べもの必修 あんこankosweet red bean paste

食べもの必修 いただきますitadakimasuwhat we say before eating

食べもの必修 うなぎunagifreshwater eel, grilled and glazed

食べもの必修 お通しotoshithe small dish an izakaya serves automatically as a seat charge

食べもの必修 カレーライスcurry riceJapanese curry

食べもの必修 わさびwasabiJapanese horseradish grated from a fresh root

食べもの必修 鰹節katsuobushidried, smoked and fermented bonito, shaved into flakes for stock

食べもの必修 串カツkushikatsuskewered, breaded and deep-fried food

食べもの必修 刺身sashimiraw fish served without rice

食べもの必修 寿司sushivinegared rice with fish or other toppings

食べもの必修 醤油shoyusoy sauce

食べもの必修 豆腐tofubean curd

食べもの必修 日本酒nihonshuJapanese rice wine

食べもの必修 納豆nattofermented soybeans

食べもの必修 抹茶matchapowdered green tea

食べもの必修 餅mochipounded rice cake

食べもの必修 緑茶ryokuchaJapanese green tea

歴史必修 侍samuraithe warrior class of old Japan

住まい必修 トイレと風呂が別separate toilet and bathwhy the toilet is not in the bathroom

住まい必修 座布団zabutona floor cushion for sitting

住まい必修 洗濯物の外干しhanging laundry outsidedrying clothes on the balcony

住まい必修 布団futonthe bedding you lay out and put away

冠婚葬祭必修 家族葬kazokusoua funeral limited to close family and a few relatives

マナー必修 「結構です」の曖昧さthe ambiguity of kekko desua single phrase that can mean either yes, that's fine or no, thank you depending on tone and context

マナー必修 お辞儀ojigibowing

マナー必修 お酌oshakupouring for each other

マナー必修 ごみを持ち帰るtaking your rubbish homecarrying your litter with you because there are no bins

マナー必修 すみませんsumimasensorry / excuse me / thank you

マナー必修 スリッパslippersindoor slippers and the toilet pair

マナー必修 タクシーの自動ドアautomatic taxi doorsthe door that opens by itself

マナー必修 チップがないno tippingwhy Japan has no tipping culture

マナー必修 靴を脱ぐtaking off your shoesremoving shoes indoors

マナー必修 靴下に穴holes in your sockswhy this matters more here

マナー必修 残さず食べるfinishing your foodleaving nothing on the plate

マナー必修 写真を撮る前のひと言asking before you photographwhen you need permission

マナー必修 祝儀袋と不祝儀袋shugibukurothe envelopes for celebration and condolence money

マナー必修 食べ歩きtabearukieating while walking

マナー必修 相槌aizuchithe frequent small sounds and nods listeners make to show they are following along

マナー必修 箸のタブーchopstick taboosthings you must never do with chopsticks

マナー必修 麺をすするslurping noodleswhy noodles are eaten noisily

マナー必修 麺をすする音men wo susuru otoslurping noodles out loud

現代の暮らし必修 キャッシュレス決済cashless paymentpaying by card, IC card or QR code instead of cash

現代の暮らし必修 コンビニkonbinithe Japanese convenience store

現代の暮らし必修 マスクmaskswhy people wear masks in Japan

現代の暮らし必修 花粉症kafunshohay fever, mostly from cedar pollen

現代の暮らし必修 公共のトイレpublic toiletsclean public toilets, free to use

現代の暮らし必修 少子高齢化shoshi koreikaa falling birth rate with an ageing population

現代の暮らし必修 食券機shokkenkithe meal ticket machine at the door

現代の暮らし必修 水道水が飲めることtap waterwhy you can drink from the tap

現代の暮らし必修 電車の定時運行punctual trainswhy Japanese trains run on time

現代の暮らし必修 満員電車manin denshathe packed commuter train

現代の暮らし必修 夜道の安全yomichi no anzenwhy walking at night feels safe in Japan

季節必修 四季shikithe four seasons, as Japan talks about them

季節必修 富士山と信仰Mount Fuji as a sacred mountainMount Fuji and mountain worship

温泉必修 お風呂furothe Japanese home bath

温泉必修 かけ湯kakeyurinsing yourself before entering the bath

温泉必修 温泉onsena natural hot spring bath

温泉必修 温泉と水着swimsuits and onsenwhy bathing nude, not in a swimsuit, is the norm at most onsen

温泉必修 男湯と女湯otokoyu and onnayuthe separate men's and women's baths

温泉必修 湯船につかるyubune ni tsukarusoaking in the tub rather than just showering

温泉必修 熱い風呂を好む文化atsuburothe Japanese taste for baths hotter than most visitors expect

名所必修 鎌倉の大仏the Great Buddha of Kamakurathe bronze Buddha that sits outdoors because its hall was destroyed

名所必修 祇園と花街Gionthe old Kyoto quarter where geiko and maiko still work

名所必修 京都kyotothe capital for a thousand years, and how to explain it

名所必修 金閣寺Kinkakujithe Golden Pavilion in Kyoto

名所必修 銀閣寺Ginkakujithe Silver Pavilion in Kyoto, which has no silver on it

名所必修 原宿と表参道Harajuku and Omotesandothe youth fashion street and the tree-lined avenue beside it

名所必修 厳島神社Itsukushima Shrinethe shrine built over the sea, with a torii gate standing in the water

名所必修 広島と平和記念公園Hiroshima Peace Memorial Parkthe park in the middle of Hiroshima built where the city was destroyed

名所必修 皇居と二重橋Kokyowhere the Emperor lives, on the site of Edo Castle

名所必修 秋葉原Akihabarathe Tokyo district that went from radio parts to anime

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

名所必修 新宿と歌舞伎町Shinjuku and Kabukichothe world's busiest station and the entertainment district beside it

名所必修 清水寺Kiyomizuderathe Kyoto temple with a wooden stage built out over a hillside

名所必修 浅草Asakusathe old temple district in eastern Tokyo

名所必修 築地と豊洲Tsukiji and Toyosuthe old fish market street and the new wholesale market

名所必修 東京タワーTokyo Towerthe red and white broadcasting tower built in 1958

名所必修 東大寺と奈良の大仏Todaijithe Nara temple housing a 15-meter bronze Buddha in a vast wooden hall

名所必修 道頓堀Dotonborithe canal-side street in Osaka with the running-man sign

名所必修 奈良公園の鹿the deer of Nara Parkthe wild deer that roam a city park in Nara

名所必修 白川郷Shirakawagothe mountain village of steep thatched farmhouses

名所必修 姫路城Himeji Castlethe white castle in Hyogo, the best-preserved original keep in Japan

名所必修 富士山Mount FujiJapan's highest mountain, an active volcano and a World Cultural Heritage site

名所必修 伏見稲荷大社Fushimi Inari Taishathe Kyoto shrine with thousands of vermilion torii gates up a mountain

名所必修 明治神宮Meiji Jinguthe Tokyo shrine set in a forest that was planted from nothing

名所必修 嵐山Arashiyamathe district of western Kyoto with the bridge, the temple garden and the bamboo path

ポップカルチャー必修 VチューバーVTubera performer who streams and posts videos as an animated character instead of showing their real face

ポップカルチャー必修 アニメanimeJapanese animation

ポップカルチャー必修 カラオケkaraokesinging to a backing track

ポップカルチャー必修 かわいいkawaiithe aesthetic of cuteness

ポップカルチャー必修 テレビゲームterebi gemuhome video games

ポップカルチャー必修 絵文字emojipicture characters

学校生活必修 ランドセルrandoseruthe hard leather backpack every primary school child carries

学校生活必修 校則kosokuschool rules and how strict they are

学校生活必修 制服seifukuthe school uniform

学校生活必修 登校班tosuhanchildren walking to school in groups

学校生活必修 部活bukatsuschool club activities

神道必修 神社と寺の違いshrines and templeshow to tell a Shinto shrine from a Buddhist temple

神道必修 神道ShintoJapan's indigenous way of relating to spirits in nature and ancestors

神道必修 無宗教mushukyosaying you have no religion while keeping its customs

神道必修 賽銭saisenthe offering you throw in

仕事必修 お疲れさまotsukaresamathe all-purpose word for acknowledging someone's work

仕事必修 残業zangyoworking overtime

伝統芸能標準 歌舞伎kabukiclassical Japanese theater

伝統芸能標準 狂言kyogenthe comic theater performed alongside noh

伝統芸能標準 枯山水karesansuithe dry landscape garden

伝統芸能標準 獅子舞shishimaithe lion dance that bites your head for luck

伝統芸能標準 将棋shogiJapanese chess

伝統芸能標準 鳥獣戯画choju gigathe twelfth-century animal scrolls often called Japan's first manga

仏教標準 お布施ofusethe money offered to a priest, with no stated price

仏教標準 因果応報inga ohowhat you do comes back

仏教標準 極楽と地獄gokuraku and jigokuthe Pure Land and the hells in Japanese Buddhism

仏教標準 座禅zazenseated Zen meditation

仏教標準 数珠juzuBuddhist prayer beads

仏教標準 線香senkoincense sticks for the dead

仏教標準 僧侶soryoBuddhist priests in Japan, who may marry and inherit a temple

仏教標準 檀家離れdeclining temple membershipthe modern trend of families cutting formal ties to their household's Buddhist temple

仏教標準 南無阿弥陀仏と南無妙法蓮華経nembutsu and daimokuthe two most common chanted phrases in Japanese Buddhism, and why they differ by school

仏教標準 輪廻rinnethe cycle of rebirth

武道標準 駅伝ekidenlong-distance relay running

武道標準 横綱yokozunathe highest rank in sumo

武道標準 空手karatethe striking martial art from Okinawa

武道標準 稽古keikotraining in a traditional art or martial art

武道標準 県大会と全国大会prefectural and national tournamentsthe ladder of local, prefectural, and national school tournaments

武道標準 高校野球と甲子園high school baseball and Koshienthe national high school baseball tournament

武道標準 合気道aikidoa martial art without contests

武道標準 黒帯と段位black belts and dan ranksthe ranking system in Japanese arts

武道標準 残心zanshinstaying alert and ready in the instant after a technique lands

武道標準 少林寺拳法Shorinji Kempoa Japanese martial art founded in 1947, different from Chinese Shaolin kung fu

武道標準 素振りsuburiswinging a weapon or bat with no opponent or ball

武道標準 相撲部屋sumo beyathe stable where wrestlers live

武道標準 大銀杏oicho-magethe ginkgo-leaf-shaped topknot only sumo wrestlers ranked juryo and above are allowed to wear

武道標準 中学校の武道必修化mandatory budo in junior highthe compulsory martial arts unit in Japanese junior high gym class

武道標準 土俵dohyothe raised clay ring a sumo bout is fought in

着物標準 たすきtasukia cord that ties back kimono sleeves, now also a sash worn across the chest

着物標準 家紋kamonfamily crests

着物標準 学生服gakuseifukuthe classic Japanese school uniform: the stand-collar jacket and the sailor blouse

着物標準 股引・手甲・脚絆momohiki, tekko, and kyahanthe fitted leggings and arm and shin wraps worn for festival and traditional work

着物標準 作業着の文化traditional and modern work clothesthe culture around Japanese work clothing, from craftsmen to fashion brands

着物標準 喪服mofukuthe black clothing worn to a funeral

着物標準 着付けkitsukeputting a kimono on

着物標準 着物の値段the cost of a kimonowhy a formal kimono can cost as much as a car

着物標準 長襦袢nagajubanthe underlayer worn beneath a kimono

着物標準 白足袋と色足袋white tabi and colored tabiwhy the color of tabi socks signals how formal the occasion is

着物標準 半襟hanerithe decorative collar sewn onto a kimono's underlayer, replaced more often than the kimono itself

着物標準 腹巻きharamakia stretchy band of cloth worn around the belly to keep it warm

着物標準 褌fundoshithe traditional loincloth worn as underwear or festival dress

ことば標準 ウチとソトuchi and sotoinside group and outside group

ことば標準 しつけshitsukebringing up a child to behave considerately

ことば標準 縁enthe connection between people that brings them together

ことば標準 遠慮enryoholding back out of consideration

ことば標準 恩ona debt of gratitude that you carry and repay

ことば標準 我慢gamanenduring without complaint

ことば標準 顔を立てるkao wo tateruletting someone keep their standing in front of others

ことば標準 根性konjogrit, and the training culture built around it

ことば標準 察するsassuruworking out what someone means without being told

ことば標準 仕方ないshikata ga naiit cannot be helped

ことば標準 初心者と玄人shoshinsha and kurotothe words for a beginner and a true expert

ことば標準 身内とよそ様uchi to yosozamainsiders and the outside world

ことば標準 水に流すmizu ni nagasuletting the past wash away

ことば標準 世間sekenthe watching public around you

ことば標準 世間体sekenteihow you look to the people around you

ことば標準 生きがいikigaiwhat makes life worth living

ことば標準 恥hajishame as a social brake

ことば標準 分をわきまえるbun wo wakimaeruknowing and staying within your place

ことば標準 本音と建前honne and tatemaetrue feelings and public face

ことば標準 流行語大賞buzzword of the yearthe annual award for new words, and what it really measures

ことば標準 和waharmony as the thing a group protects

ことば標準 侘び寂びwabi-sabibeauty in imperfection and age

ことば標準 忖度sontakuacting on what you guess a superior wants, without being told

工芸標準 根付netsukea small carved toggle once used to hang a pouch or case from a kimono sash

工芸標準 畳職人tatami craftsmanthe maker of tatami mats, a shrinking trade that still measures every room by hand

工芸標準 職人shokuninthe craftsman, as an identity

工芸標準 人間国宝ningen kokuhoa Living National Treasure, a state-certified master of a traditional art or craft

工芸標準 水引mizuhikidecorative cord on gift envelopes

工芸標準 組子kumikogeometric wooden lattice patterns assembled without a single nail

工芸標準 日本刀nihontothe Japanese sword

工芸標準 有田焼と伊万里焼Arita ware and Imari wareJapan's first porcelain, and the export port that gave it a second name in the West

年中行事標準 スポーツの日supotsu no hiSports Day, the second Monday of October

年中行事標準 衣替えkoromogaethe day everyone changes to summer or winter clothing

年中行事標準 海の日umi no hiMarine Day, the third Monday of July

年中行事標準 勤労感謝の日kinro kansha no hiLabor Thanksgiving Day, November 23rd

年中行事標準 建国記念の日kenkoku kinen no hiNational Foundation Day, February 11th

年中行事標準 憲法記念日kenpo kinenbiConstitution Memorial Day, May 3rd

年中行事標準 山の日yama no hiMountain Day, August 11th, Japan's newest public holiday

年中行事標準 昭和の日とみどりの日Showa Day and Greenery Daythe two late-April holidays that swapped names and dates

年中行事標準 松の内matsu no uchithe period New Year decorations stay up

年中行事標準 天皇誕生日tenno tanjobithe Emperor's Birthday, a holiday whose date changes with the reign

年中行事標準 日本のハロウィンhalloween japanHalloween as a street costume event

年中行事標準 文化の日bunka no hiCulture Day, November 3rd

年中行事標準 六曜rokuyothe six-day luck cycle on calendars

妖怪標準 こっくりさんkokkuri-sana coin-and-paper fortune-telling game often compared to a Japanese Ouija board

妖怪標準 河童kappariver spirits with a dish on the head

妖怪標準 血液型性格診断blood type personality theoryjudging character by blood type

妖怪標準 狐と稲荷foxes and Inariwhy shrines are guarded by foxes

妖怪標準 口裂け女kuchisake-onnathe slit-mouthed woman, Japan's most famous modern urban legend

妖怪標準 盛り塩morishiothe small cone of salt placed at an entrance

妖怪標準 天狗tengulong-nosed mountain spirits

妖怪標準 猫又nekomataa cat believed to grow supernatural powers, including a split tail, after living unusually long

妖怪標準 北枕kitamakurasleeping with your head to the north, a direction linked with death

妖怪標準 夜に爪を切ってはいけないcutting nails at nightthe superstition that you should not cut your nails at night

妖怪標準 妖怪yokaiJapanese supernatural creatures

妖怪標準 雷様とおへそhiding your belly button from thunderthe saying that the thunder god will steal your belly button if you leave it uncovered

妖怪標準 龍ryuthe East Asian dragon

食べもの標準 こんにゃくkonnyakua jelly-like food made from a starchy tuber

食べもの標準 懐石料理kaisekithe formal multi-course meal, and the two different things called kaiseki

食べもの標準 甘酒amazakethe sweet rice drink, with and without alcohol

食べもの標準 魚を食べる文化eating fishhow much fish Japan eats, and how that is changing

食べもの標準 恵方巻ehomakithe uncut sushi roll eaten facing a set direction at Setsubun

食べもの標準 出汁dashithe stock at the base of Japanese cooking

食べもの標準 日本のウイスキーjapanese whiskyhow Japan started making whisky, and why the old bottles vanished

食べもの標準 麦茶mugichacold barley tea

食べもの標準 洋食yoshokuWestern-style dishes invented in Japan

食べもの標準 卵かけご飯tamago kake gohanraw egg over hot rice

歴史標準 バブル経済the bubble economythe asset price bubble of the late 1980s

歴史標準 関東大震災the Great Kanto Earthquakethe 1923 earthquake and fires that destroyed Tokyo and Yokohama

歴史標準 黒船kurofunethe American warships that forced Japan to open its ports in 1853

歴史標準 集団就職shudan shushokuthe mass migration of young workers to the cities after the war

歴史標準 天皇tennothe Emperor of Japan

歴史標準 日本国憲法the Constitution of Japanthe postwar constitution

歴史標準 忍者ninjathe covert agents of feudal Japan

住まい標準 ユニットバスunit baththe Japanese bathroom layout

住まい標準 建て替えと中古住宅tatekae to chuko jutakuwhy Japanese houses are so often rebuilt rather than resold

住まい標準 鍵と防犯locks and home securityhow Japanese homes are secured

住まい標準 床の間tokonomathe alcove in a tatami room

住まい標準 神棚kamidanathe household Shinto altar

住まい標準 日本の家の寒さcold Japanese houseswhy homes are cold in winter

住まい標準 表札hyosatsuthe family nameplate by the door

住まい標準 木造住宅wooden houseswhy Japanese homes are rebuilt, not resold

住まい標準 礼金と敷金reikin and shikikinkey money and deposit when renting

冠婚葬祭標準 お見合いomiaian introduction with marriage in mind

冠婚葬祭標準 お葬式osoushikia Japanese funeral

冠婚葬祭標準 ご祝儀goshugithe money you give at a wedding

冠婚葬祭標準 引っ越しの挨拶greeting the neighborsthe visit you make after moving in

冠婚葬祭標準 香典kodencondolence money brought to a funeral

冠婚葬祭標準 骨上げkotsuagepicking up the cremated bones with chopsticks

冠婚葬祭標準 初七日shonanokathe memorial service held on the seventh day after death

冠婚葬祭標準 喪中はがきmochu hagakithe mourning notice sent before New Year

冠婚葬祭標準 仲人nakodothe go-between who arranged and formally witnessed a marriage

冠婚葬祭標準 内祝いuchiiwaithe thank-you gift after a celebration

冠婚葬祭標準 夫婦の姓married surnameswhy couples must share one name

冠婚葬祭標準 名前のつけ方naming a childwhat you may and may not call a baby

冠婚葬祭標準 離婚divorcehow divorce works in Japan

マナー標準 エスカレーターの片側空けescalatorstanding on one side, and why that is changing

マナー標準 メールの書き出しと結びJapanese business emailthe fixed opening and closing lines

マナー標準 敬語keigothe honorific levels of Japanese

マナー標準 指さしと手招きgesturesgestures that mean something different in Japan

マナー標準 謝るapologizingwhy Japanese people apologize first

マナー標準 贈り物を一度断るdeclining a gift oncethe polite custom of refusing a gift once before accepting it

マナー標準 土下座dogezakneeling with your forehead on the floor

マナー標準 鼻をかむblowing your nosewhy blowing your nose in public is avoided

現代の暮らし標準 クールビズcool bizthe summer campaign to work without a jacket and tie

現代の暮らし標準 ビニール傘vinyl umbrellathe clear plastic umbrella

現代の暮らし標準 ふるさと納税furusato nozeidonating to another town and having it deducted from your own tax

現代の暮らし標準 マイナンバーカードMy Number cardthe national ID card that now also works as a health insurance card

現代の暮らし標準 ママチャリmamacharithe everyday shopping bicycle

現代の暮らし標準 ヤクザyakuzaorganized crime in Japan, and why the offices have nameplates

現代の暮らし標準 引きこもりhikikomorilong-term withdrawal from society

現代の暮らし標準 外国人労働者foreign workershow Japan brings in workers from abroad

現代の暮らし標準 漢方kampotraditional herbal medicine as practiced in Japan

現代の暮らし標準 空き家akiyaempty houses left standing across Japan

現代の暮らし標準 現金社会cash societywhy Japan still runs on cash

現代の暮らし標準 国民皆保険kokumin kaihokenthe public health insurance everyone in Japan is required to join

現代の暮らし標準 自動販売機jidohanbaikivending machines

現代の暮らし標準 手話shuwaJapanese Sign Language

現代の暮らし標準 女性の就業women at workwhere women's employment in Japan stands

現代の暮らし標準 青春18きっぷseishun juhachi kippua budget ticket for unlimited local and rapid JR trains over several consecutive days

現代の暮らし標準 駐輪場churinjobicycle parking and removal

現代の暮らし標準 電柱と電線utility poleswhy so many overhead wires

現代の暮らし標準 電動キックボードe-scooterthe electric scooter now allowed without a driver's license

現代の暮らし標準 分煙smoking ruleswhere you can and cannot smoke in Japan

現代の暮らし標準 捕鯨whalingwhy Japan resumed commercial whaling, and how little whale is actually eaten

現代の暮らし標準 麻雀mahjongthe four-player tile game, and where it sits legally

現代の暮らし標準 落とし物lost and foundwhy lost things come back in Japan

季節標準 沖縄と北海道の気候Okinawa and Hokkaidothe two ends of Japan's climate

季節標準 海と漁業the sea and fishinghow Japan eats from the ocean

季節標準 菊kikuchrysanthemum

季節標準 松竹梅shochikubaipine, bamboo and plum

季節標準 森林の国shinrin no kunihow much of Japan is forest

季節標準 虫の声を聴くlistening to insect songsenjoying the sound of autumn insects

季節標準 日本列島の地形the shape of Japana long mountainous chain of islands

温泉標準 サウナと水風呂sauna and cold plungesauna culture in Japan

温泉標準 一番風呂ichiban-burobeing the very first person into freshly drawn bathwater

温泉標準 温泉とタトゥーtattoos and onsenwhy tattoos can get you refused at a bath

温泉標準 温泉マークthe onsen markthe three-steam symbol used on maps and signs for hot springs

温泉標準 温泉街の射的と卓球shooting galleries and ping-pongshooting galleries and table tennis at hot-spring resorts

温泉標準 家族風呂kazoku buroa private bath you can book

温泉標準 岩盤浴ganbanyokulying on heated stone to sweat, a dry alternative to soaking in a bath

温泉標準 源泉かけ流しgensen kakenagashihot spring water used once and let overflow, with nothing recirculated

温泉標準 仲居nakaithe ryokan staff member who attends to your room and meals

温泉標準 湯冷めyuzamecatching a chill after a hot bath, as your body cools down too fast

名所標準 兼六園Kenrokuenthe Kanazawa garden named for the six qualities a perfect garden should have

名所標準 三十三間堂Sanjusangendothe 120-meter hall in Kyoto holding 1,001 statues of Kannon

名所標準 首里城と沖縄Shurijothe palace of the Ryukyu Kingdom in Okinawa

名所標準 足立美術館Adachi Museum of Artthe Shimane museum whose garden is viewed like a painting, not walked in

名所標準 長崎と出島Nagasaki and Dejimathe port that was Japan's only window to Europe, and the second atomic bombing

名所標準 東京スカイツリーTokyo Skytreethe 634-meter broadcasting tower in eastern Tokyo

名所標準 二条城Nijojothe Kyoto castle where the shogun gave power back to the Emperor

名所標準 日光東照宮Nikko Toshoguthe shrine where Tokugawa Ieyasu is enshrined, covered in carvings

名所標準 北海道の広さthe scale of Hokkaidohow much bigger Hokkaido is than most visitors expect

ポップカルチャー標準 eスポーツesportscompetitive gaming in Japan

ポップカルチャー標準 オタクotakusomeone obsessively into a hobby

ポップカルチャー標準 キャラクター文化character bunkacharacters attached to everything

ポップカルチャー標準 ゲームセンターgame centervideo game arcade

ポップカルチャー標準 バラエティ番組variety showsJapanese TV variety programs

ポップカルチャー標準 ゆるキャラyuru-kyaralocal mascot characters

ポップカルチャー標準 ロリータファッションLolita fashiona modest, Victorian-inspired street fashion born in Harajuku, built around long skirts and frills

ポップカルチャー標準 甲子園の応援koshien cheeringthe organized brass-band and stand cheering that fills the stadium during the national high school baseball tournament

ポップカルチャー標準 推し活oshikatsusupporting your favorite

ポップカルチャー標準 声優seiyuvoice actors

ポップカルチャー標準 痛車itashaa car wrapped in large anime or game character graphics

ポップカルチャー標準 鉄道ファンtrain otakuJapan's railway enthusiasts, a hobby broad enough to include photographers, sound recorders and model builders

ポップカルチャー標準 同人音楽doujin musicself-released music made and sold by independent circles, often at fan conventions

ポップカルチャー標準 漫画喫茶manga kissamanga and internet cafes

ポップカルチャー標準 漫才manzaitwo-person stand-up comedy

学校生活標準 PTAPTAthe parents and teachers association at a Japanese school

学校生活標準 学年とクラス替えclass reshufflingthe annual reshuffling of students into new classes

学校生活標準 高校の偏差値hensachithe deviation score used to rank Japanese schools by difficulty

学校生活標準 塾jukuthe private school you go to after school

学校生活標準 水泳の授業school swimming lessonsswimming as a compulsory school subject

学校生活標準 中学受験chugaku jukentaking an entrance exam to enter a private or elite junior high school

学校生活標準 朝礼choreithe morning assembly at a school or workplace

学校生活標準 内申点naishintenthe school's internal assessment that counts toward high school entry

学校生活標準 二分の一成人式half coming-of-age ceremonyan elementary school event around age ten where children reflect on their first decade and thank their families

学校生活標準 日本の英語教育english educationwhy Japanese people study English for years and still cannot speak it

学校生活標準 保健室hokenshitsuthe school nurse's room, which is also a refuge

神道標準 お祓いoharairitual purification

神道標準 出雲大社Izumo Taishathe shrine where the gods gather

神道標準 神職と巫女shinshoku and mikoshrine priests and shrine maidens

神道標準 神道と自然shinto and naturethe animism at the heart of Shinto belief

神道標準 総本社と分社sohonsha and bunshahead shrines and their thousands of branch shrines

神道標準 地鎮祭jichinsaithe ceremony held before building on a piece of land

仕事標準 ハラスメントharassmentworkplace harassment and the law against it

仕事標準 ハラスメント対策harassment rulesworkplace harassment law in Japan

仕事標準 ブラック企業burakku kigyoexploitative employers

仕事標準 ボーナスbonusthe twice-yearly lump-sum pay

仕事標準 リモートワークremote workworking from home in Japan

仕事標準 育児休業ikuji kyugyoparental leave

仕事標準 飲み会nomikaithe work drinking party

仕事標準 作業着と社章work uniformscompany uniforms and lapel pins

仕事標準 社員旅行shain ryokothe company trip

仕事標準 就活と新卒一括採用shukatsuhiring an entire year group at once

仕事標準 女性管理職women in managementhow few women hold senior posts

仕事標準 新人研修shinjin kenshutraining for new graduates

仕事標準 人事異動jinji idointernal transfers decided by the company

仕事標準 接待settaientertaining clients

仕事標準 総合職と一般職sogoshoku and ippanshokucareer-track and clerical-track hiring

仕事標準 退職届taishokutodokethe one-line resignation notice

仕事標準 転勤tenkincompany-ordered relocation

仕事標準 年功序列nenko joretsupay and rank by length of service

仕事標準 非正規雇用hiseiki koyonon-regular employment

仕事標準 履歴書rirekishothe Japanese-format resume

伝統芸能応用 家元iemotothe head of a school of a traditional art

伝統芸能応用 日本画nihongapainting in traditional Japanese materials

仏教応用 戒名kaimyothe Buddhist name given after death

仏教応用 宗派の違いBuddhist schools in Japanthe main branches of Japanese Buddhism and how they differ

仏教応用 檀家制度danka systemwhy every family has a temple

武道応用 押忍osuthe all-purpose word shouted in martial arts dojos

武道応用 居合道iaidodrawing the sword as a discipline

武道応用 道場破りdojo-yaburithe movie trope of a stranger challenging a rival dojo to a duel

武道応用 薙刀naginatathe long-handled blade and its modern sport

武道応用 番付banzukethe sumo ranking sheet

着物応用 割烹着kappogithe full-cover Japanese apron

着物応用 十二単junihitoethe layered court robes of the Heian period

着物応用 着物の格kimono formalitythe ranking that decides which kimono may be worn where

着物応用 着物の季節の決まりseasonal kimono ruleslined, unlined and sheer kimono, and when each is worn

ことば応用 けじめkejimedrawing a clear line between one thing and another

ことば応用 もののあはれmono no awarethe sadness of passing things

ことば応用 以心伝心ishin denshinunderstanding without words

ことば応用 甘えamaedepending on another person's goodwill

ことば応用 間mathe meaningful gap

ことば応用 義理girisocial obligation you cannot refuse

ことば応用 潔さisagiyosaaccepting defeat cleanly

ことば応用 言霊kotodamathe belief that spoken words carry power

ことば応用 儒教jukyoConfucian ideas as they took root in Japan

ことば応用 八百万の神yaoyorozu no kamithe eight million gods

工芸応用 宮大工miyadaikutemple and shrine carpenters

工芸応用 刀鍛冶katana kajithe swordsmiths who still forge Japanese blades by hand

工芸応用 木組みkigumijoining timber without nails

工芸応用 和ろうそくwarosokuJapanese plant-wax candles

妖怪応用 陰陽道onmyodothe court's system of divination and calendar making

妖怪応用 化け狸bakedanukithe shape-shifting raccoon dog

妖怪応用 鬼門kimonthe unlucky northeast direction

妖怪応用 熊手kumadethe lucky rake for raking in business

妖怪応用 座敷童子zashiki warashithe child spirit of the house

妖怪応用 雪女yuki-onnathe snow woman

妖怪応用 付喪神tsukumogamiobjects that come alive with age

妖怪応用 方位と家相kasolucky and unlucky directions in a house

食べもの応用 栗きんとんkuri kintontwo different sweets with the same name

歴史応用 憲法9条Article 9the war-renouncing article of the constitution

歴史応用 鎖国sakokuthe closed country policy

歴史応用 戦後の女性の地位の変化women's status since 1945what changed and what did not

歴史応用 潜伏キリシタンhidden christiansthe Christians who kept the faith through 250 years of prohibition

歴史応用 太平洋戦争the Pacific WarJapan in the Second World War

歴史応用 鉄砲伝来teppo denraithe arrival of the matchlock gun in 1543 and how fast Japan copied it

歴史応用 武士道bushidothe way of the warrior

歴史応用 文化財の制度cultural property systemhow Japan designates national treasures and protects its heritage

歴史応用 蘭学rangakuDutch learning during the closed country period

住まい応用 町内会と回覧板chonaikai and kairanbanthe neighborhood association and its circulating folder

冠婚葬祭応用 結納yuinothe formal engagement ceremony

冠婚葬祭応用 戸籍kosekithe family register

冠婚葬祭応用 散骨sankotsuscattering ashes at sea, and the rules around it

冠婚葬祭応用 出産と里帰りsatogaeri shussangoing home to your mother to give birth

冠婚葬祭応用 墓じまいhakajimaiclosing a family grave

マナー応用 エレベーターの作法elevator etiquettewho stands where and who presses the buttons

マナー応用 公共の場での化粧makeup in publicwhy it is frowned on

現代の暮らし応用 アイヌthe Ainuthe indigenous people of northern Japan, recognized in law only in 2019

現代の暮らし応用 ゲートボールgateballthe team game invented in Japan for children, now played by the old

現代の暮らし応用 パチンコpachinkothe gambling that legally is not gambling

現代の暮らし応用 沖縄の米軍基地US bases in Okinawawhy most US military facilities in Japan are on one small island

現代の暮らし応用 外国人お断りJapanese only signswhy some businesses refuse foreign customers, and what the law does and does not say

現代の暮らし応用 技能実習と育成就労technical intern trainingthe foreign worker program Japan is replacing after years of criticism

現代の暮らし応用 教科書検定と歴史認識textbook screeninghow Japanese textbooks are approved, and why neighboring countries react

現代の暮らし応用 原発と再稼働nuclear power in Japanwhat happened to Japan's reactors after 2011, and where policy stands now

現代の暮らし応用 皇位継承imperial successionwho can become emperor, and the shortage of people who qualify

現代の暮らし応用 死刑capital punishmentwhy Japan still has capital punishment, and how it is carried out

現代の暮らし応用 奨学金shogakukinthe word that means scholarship but usually means student loan

現代の暮らし応用 同性婚same-sex marriagewhy Japan has partnership systems in most cities but no legal marriage

現代の暮らし応用 難民認定refugee recognitionwhy Japan recognizes so few refugees, and what changed in 2023

現代の暮らし応用 部落差別buraku discriminationdiscrimination against people linked to certain communities, based on ancestry alone

現代の暮らし応用 靖国神社Yasukuni Shrinethe Tokyo shrine for Japan's war dead, and why prime ministers' visits are disputed

季節応用 国立公園national parksJapan's national parks, where people live and work inside

季節応用 山岳信仰sangaku shinkoworship of mountains

季節応用 獣害jugaicrop damage by deer, boar and bears

季節応用 苔kokemoss

温泉応用 混浴konyokua mixed-sex bath, now rare

温泉応用 泉質senshitsutypes of hot spring water

温泉応用 湯治tojistaying at a hot spring to recover

名所応用 阿蘇山Mount Asothe active volcano in Kyushu with fifty thousand people living inside its caldera

名所応用 軍艦島gunkanjimathe abandoned coal island off Nagasaki

名所応用 鳥取砂丘Tottori Sand Dunesthe large coastal dunes on the Japan Sea, often mistaken for a desert

名所応用 百舌鳥・古市古墳群mozu furuichi kofunthe giant keyhole tombs you cannot go inside

ポップカルチャー応用 アイドルidolthe Japanese idol system

ポップカルチャー応用 ボーカロイドVocaloidsinging voice synthesizer

ポップカルチャー応用 メイド喫茶maid cafemaid cafe

ポップカルチャー応用 演歌enkasentimental Japanese ballads

ポップカルチャー応用 深夜アニメshinya animelate-night anime

ポップカルチャー応用 同人誌とコミケdoujinshiself-published fan comics and Comiket

神道応用 国家神道kokka shintothe state administration of shrines from 1868 to 1945

神道応用 氏神と氏子ujigami and ujikothe local guardian deity and its parishioners

神道応用 式年遷宮shikinen sengurebuilding the shrine every twenty years

神道応用 社号shagowhy shrines are called jingu, taisha or jinja

神道応用 神仏習合shinbutsu shugothe long blending of Shinto and Buddhism

神道応用 禊misogipurifying yourself with water

仕事応用 根回しと稟議nemawashi and ringihow decisions actually get made

仕事応用 社内失業shanai shitsugyobeing kept on payroll with no real work to do

仕事応用 終身雇用shushin koyolifetime employment

仕事応用 出向shukkobeing loaned to another company

仕事応用 退職代行taishoku daikoservices that quit your job for you

仕事応用 単身赴任tanshin funintransferring without the family

仕事応用 定年と再雇用teinenmandatory retirement age and rehiring

仕事応用 島型デスクisland desksthe open office facing each other