Japan KKSakura • 6mo ago • 83%

Japan sees record 3 million foreigners in March, as tourists cash in on low yen

Tourism to Japan has been booming since pandemic-era border restrictions were lifted, and the government has been working hard to boost visitor numbers.

Japan KKSakura • 11mo ago • 100%

Our search for Kyoto Station’s cheapest souvenir reveals a surprisingly sweet find

As you might expect from a major railway hub for one of the country’s most visited cities, Kyoto Station is filled with souvenir stores. From sweets to miscellaneous goods, there’s such a wide selection on offer you’d think they have all the main products from Kyoto in stock, so when our reporter Udonko was planning a trip to the city, she did some online research beforehand to find out which souvenirs she should buy. As she scrolled excitedly through all the recommendations online, a question suddenly popped into her head. Out of all the many souvenirs at Kyoto Station, which would be the cheapest one to buy? Pivoting her search to find the answer to her question, she jotted down some ideas before making her way to Kyoto Station, located beneath the iconic Kyoto Tower. Kyoto Station is directly connected to various complexes such as the Isetan department store building, Kyoto Theatre, and an underground shopping mall, but as this was way too much ground to cover, Udonko limited her search to the area inside Kyoto Station outside the Shinkansen ticket gates. Since she was only looking for souvenirs, she decided to be strict with her search, passing on items that don’t show a connection to Kyoto, even if they might be cheaply priced. Though she planned well before her visit, one thing she didn’t plan for were the crowds, because with this being fall foliage season, Kyoto Station was packed with tourists from all over the world. Fighting her instinct to avoid the crowds and abort the mission, Udonko persevered, making her way to the Omiyage Kaido (“Souvenir Highway”). Hunting for souvenirs was fun at first, but as she stopped by more and more souvenir hot spots to check the prices of their wares, she found herself becoming mentally and physically drained. In the end, Udonko spent about two hours wandering around the area before finding what she believes to be the cheapest souvenir at Kyoto Station… ▼ …Miyako no Toryanse!

Japan KKSakura • 12mo ago • 100%

New isle emerges in Ogasawara chain after volcano erupts | The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis

Eruptions from an undersea volcano have apparently created an islet in the Ogasawara island chain more than 1,000 kilometers south of Tokyo in the Pacific Ocean, officials said.

Japan KKSakura • 12mo ago • 100%

300-year-old Tokyo comb company sells 30,000-yen wooden hair combs—Are they worth it?

And if you’d rather have a 60,000-yen comb, this Asakusa shop has some of those too.

Japan KKSakura • 1y ago • 100%

Ultra-retro cafe in Tokyo is like a hidden hideout, serves up cheap breakfasts with great coffee

Step back in time at this old-school Japanese kissaten.

Japan KKSakura • 1y ago • 100%

Nagoya bans walking on escalators via ordinance to change public mindset - The Mainichi

NAGOYA -- Officials in this central Japan city say they want to change people's habits and mindset through a recently established ordinance banning pe

Japan KKSakura • 1y ago • 100%

Ceremony marks 110 years of women at Japan universities

Princess Kako attended a ceremony on Saturday marking 110 years of women attending universities in Japan. Tohoku Imperial University, the predecessor of Tohoku University in Sendai, opened its doors to three women in 1913, who became the first female university students in Japan. During the event held at Tohoku University's Kawauchi campus, the princess, the second daughter of Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko, said that the admission of the three women 110 years ago was an "important step" in women's education. She voiced her hope for a society in which all people are offered a wide range of life choices. Princess Kako returned to Tokyo on Friday after recovering from COVID-19. She tested positive during a visit to Tottori Prefecture that began on Sept. 23.

Japan KKSakura • 1y ago • 100%

Aiko on the Throne? Event Seeks to Pave the Way for a Female Emperor

Some 8 out of 10 Japanese are in favor of a woman sitting on the Chrysanthemum Throne, according to opinion polls. Princess Aiko, who would be next in line in a system allowing both males and females to reign, enjoys overwhelming popularity, but political opposition remains strong. A recent event shed new light on the possibilities in this area.

Japan KKSakura • 1y ago • 100%

Unstable atmospheric conditions trigger heavy rain in northern Japan | NHK WORLD-JAPAN News

Japanese weather officials are warning that moist air is making atmospheric conditions in northern Japan extremely unstable and triggering heavy rain there.

Japan KKSakura • 1y ago • 100%

Keio Wins Japan’s High School Baseball Championship for First Time in 107 Years; Prevents Sendai Ikuei from Repeating

Keio won its first National High School Baseball Championship in 107 years, defeating defending champion Sendai Ikuei 8-2 on Wednesday at Koshien Stadium in Nishinomiya, Hyogo Prefecture. The final of the 105th tournament, held in front of 42,100 spectators, saw Keio Senior High School of Kanagawa Prefecture handle Sendai Ikuei Gakuen High School, denying the Miyagi Prefecture team of becoming just the seventh school to repeat as champion.

Japan KKSakura • 1y ago • 100%

The Story of Momofuku Ando and Nissin Cup Noodles

Instant Cup Noodles are a convenient global snack beloved by billions. Meet the Father of Instant Noodles, Momofuku Ando.

Japan KKSakura • 1y ago • 100%

Nissin releases new Gaming Cup Noodle in Japan, with caffeine to keep you gaming all night long

Instant ramen company blends special ingredients to create the "strongest Buff Meshi" for gamers.

Japan KKSakura • 1y ago • 100%

Japanese language | Origin, Family, Alphabets, History, Grammar, & Writing

Japanese language, a language isolate (i.e., a language unrelated to any other language) and one of the world’s major languages, with more than 127 million speakers in the early 21st century. It is primarily spoken throughout the Japanese archipelago; there are also some 1.5 million Japanese immigrants and their descendants living abroad, mainly in North and South America, who have varying degrees of proficiency in Japanese. Since the mid-20th century, no nation other than Japan has used Japanese as a first or a second language.

Japan KKSakura • 1y ago • 100%

Shrine and Temple Traditions

Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples are dotted around Japan—but how are they different? Shrines are built to serve the Shinto religious tradition and are characterized by a torii gate at the entrance. Temples are built to serve the Buddhist religious tradition and are characterized by a sanmon gate at the entrance. Large sanmon gates at temples like the Todaiji Temple in Nara or the Sensoji Temple in Tokyo have impressive roofs and fierce temple guardian statues known as niozo in their columns. Shrines Pass through to holy ground All shrines have a torii gate, even if they do not have a main sanctuary housing the spirit of a deity. A torii gate is the boundary line between holy ground and the secular world. Bowing once in front of the torii gate is the correct—if not always practiced—way to enter. It is customary not to walk through the gate directly in the exact center. Walk through a little to the left or right of the center path. Purify your hands and mouth At the temizuya water pavilion located inside the shrine's grounds, purify your body and mind with water before proceeding to stand in front of the deity. Scoop up water with the provided ladle and rinse your hands and mouth following the steps below (one scoop covers all three steps): First, scoop up water in a ladle with your right hand and pour water over your left hand. Next, hold the ladle with your left hand and pour water over your right hand. Finally, pour some water from the ladle into your left hand, rinse out your mouth, and spit the water out beside the fountain. Never touch the ladle directly to your mouth. Bowing, clapping and praying Once you reach the altar, quietly throw a coin into the offering box. Ring the bell to greet the deity. Bow twice. Clap your hands twice, expressing your joy and respect towards the deity. Say a prayer with your hands still together. Bow one more time. Temples A place of peace, incense, and purification Temples are not as strict as shrines in terms of prayer ritual. However, please behave in a calm and respectful manner. If a temple has a temizuya, purify your hands and mouth in the same way you would at a shrine and head to the altar. Many temples have incense (osenko)—you can purchase a bundle by putting a coin in the offering box. After lighting the incense and extinguishing the flame by waving your hand (rather than blowing it out with your mouth), put it in the incense burner and join your hands in silent prayer. You may see many visitors fanning smoke towards their bodies, which is believed to have healing powers. There is no need to clap your hands. Be respectful You may be required to take off your shoes when entering temple buildings. Leave your shoes on the shelves at the entrance or take them with you in plastic bags provided at some temples. Don't forget to wear a good pair of socks. Watch out for signs where photography is forbidden inside temples.

Japan KKSakura • 1y ago • 100%

16 Traditional Japanese Fashions

Japanese style clothing worn at festivals, ceremonies, rituals and cultural activities.

Japan KKSakura • 1y ago • 100%

8 Traditional Japanese Towns That Will Transport You Back In Time

From well-preserved merchant districts to quaint fishing villages, take a trip back in time with these charming traditional Japanese towns.

Japan KKSakura • 1y ago • 100%

Hanetsuki

Hanetsuki (Japanese: 羽根突き or 羽子突き) is a Japanese traditional game, similar to racket games like badminton but without a net, played with a rectangular wooden paddle called a hagoita and a brightly coloured shuttlecock, called a hane. Often played by girls at the New Year, the game can be played by any gender in two fashions: by one person attempting to keep the shuttlecock aloft as long as possible, or by two people batting it back and forth. Players who fail to hit the shuttlecock get marked on the face with India Ink. Traditionally, the longer the shuttlecock remains in the air, the greater protection from mosquitoes the players will receive during the coming year. Although hanetsuki is not as popular as it used to be, decorative hagoita are commonly sold throughout Japan. The game is also known as ...

Japan KKSakura • 1y ago • 100%

Japan's airlines eye catering to semiconductor, e-commerce shipments

Carriers ANA and JAL set to introduce cargo jets, expect market growth

Japan KKSakura • 1y ago • 100%

Japan onshore aquaculture takes root as mackerel, shrimp reach tables

Fish-farming method seen as healthy and environmentally friendly poised to expand

Music arranged, produced & mixed by Belle Sisoski.Video shot and edited by Belle Sisoski.STREAM ON ALL PLATFORMS HERE:https://open.spotify.com/track/29vc4e1V...