Realising I’m one month late, but so many things happen in January! And I finally want to write again; making virtual walks videos is nice – not to mention a great exercise! – but my blogs need some love too. So here we go. Metro didn’t run after midnight on New Year’s day…
Tag: japan
How I moved to Tokyo
One year ago I quit my job and moved back to Italy. I didn’t give myself much time to rest, but it was nice to be in a familiar place with familiar faces. I mostly tried to organize my blogs and take care of myself. When news that Japan was opening to foreign…
The 12 original castles of Japan
There are only 12 castles in Japan that have the original structure – meaning the main building wasn’t rebuilt through time. Si-take., CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons Hirosaki Castle, Hirosaki, Aomori Prefecture Hirosaki Castle, built in 1611, is one of the most famous among tourists for the many events hosted here. The…
All You Need To Know About Kokeshi Dolls
I started to get interested in kokeshi dolls through Kimmidol, which are modern versions designed for a more Western market. As it always happens to me, I am passionate about the stories behind the traditions and search until I know more! What are kokeshi dolls? Kokeshi dolls are Japanese handicraft products that were…
Why strawberries are popular in Japan – Ichigo No Hi
Strawberries are the most beloved fruit in Japan, so much that you can find them in parfaits, daifuku mochi, and super kawaii and photogenic Christmas cakes. And they also have a dedicated day! A brief history of Japanese strawberries Strawberries were imported to Japan from Europe in the mid 1800s, but were still…
Shikifukujin Meguri: Visiting the seven Japanese gods of luck
If you want to start the new year with a good supply of luck, take a few hours to visit the temples of the seven gods of luck (Shichifukujin Meguri – 七福神巡り). When to do shichifukujin meguri? The first seven days of the year are considered particularly lucky, however it is not unusual…
What are fukubukuro?
The first days of the year in Tokyo are full of things to do, from the emperor’s speech to fukubukuro, to simply wandering around the city. What are fukubukuro? Fukubukuro are mystery bags full with goodies ranging from clothes, to anime merchandise or household anime and many more. The tradition of fukubukuro was…
Osechi ryori: Japanese new year foods to attract fortune
The Japanese new year celebration is all about attracting luck and prosperity and food makes no exception: so much that there is a word for the food ensemble of January 1, osechi ryori. The traditional meal of the Japanese new year is called osechi (おせち), and it’s served in lacquered boxes (jubako) that…
Mochi tradition and microwave-free recipe for the Japanese new year
It’s almost the new year, so in Japan it’s time to make mochi and attract luck on you and your family – so here I share the tradition and a microwave-free recipe you can easily make at home. The end of the year and the beginning of the new one represent two recurrences…
My expat New Year in Japan
We went to Sensoji because I wanted to celebrate New Year traditionally. I remember a bunch of kids in front of us who were ahead of the police countdown and had a laugh. They almost shouted “Happy New Year!” few seconds earlier than the official countdown. Not the bangs of the firecrackers, but…
