Taro Wakayama is the owner of Wakayama Farm, an exceptional place in Utsunomiya. This city can be reached in one hour by Shinkansen from Tokyo. Despite the name having the word “farm,” this is the last carefully tended bamboo forest in Japan. A few years ago, it started welcoming visitors on its ground. Mr. Wakayama tells us about the rich history of this forest, what makes bamboo so unique, why it is linked to societal problems, and why he wants people to know and love bamboo. A Long Familial History What kind of place is Wakayama Farm? Wakayama Farm is located in Kunimoto, a place in the northern…

Recommended Articles |
Casting Evil Away: The Japanese Celebration of Setsubun
The characters for setsubun in Japanese are 節分, literally meaning “season division.” This celebration traditionally takes place on February 3rd, one day before spring according to the lunar calendar. In older times, spring used to be the…
What “Hatsuyume,” the First Dream of the Year, Means for the Japanese
In Japan, hatsuyume is literally the first dream you have after December 31st and is said to predict your fortune for the coming year. Traditionally, lucky dreams involve Mt. Fuji, a hawk, and an eggplant, in…
Moving into 2021 in Japan
First of all, I sincerely wish you the best for 2021, wherever you are. Originally, I wanted this article to be bright and hopeful. I wanted to talk about what good things could be expected in…
How to Make Friends and Build a Network in Japan
Moving to a new country is equal parts exciting and intimidating. Living abroad offers endless potential, but unlocking this potential means leaving a lot behind, including frequent interactions with the friends, family and colleagues that define…
The Nengajo Postcard: How Japanese People Send Their Best Wishes for New Year
Japanese people exchange nengajo postcards as New Year greetings, much like Western people sending Christmas cards to each other. New Year Greetings in Japan In Japan, it was a long-established custom to personally present your greetings…
Looking Back on 2020 as a Foreign Resident in Japan
This time last year, I was in the middle of a whirlwind U.S. tour, working nomadically, while celebrating the holidays with my family and friends in Washington D.C., Nevada, and California. Upon returning to Tokyo in…
The 5 Most Effective Flash Card Programs for Learning Japanese
Everyone who studies Japanese uses different methods, techniques, and tools to achieve mastery. However, ask around, and you’ll find that most learners consistently recommend one tool in particular: digital flash cards—specifically software with an effective Spaced…
Getting along with Japanese Neighbors with Gifts
No later than last night, I took part in the economic exchange known as bartering. In the Japanese countryside, exchanging goods between neighbors or members of the same community is very common. People produce all sorts…
The Japanese Shugendo Religion: Going Back to One’s True Nature
Taichi Tani is a monk in a village in Kochi Prefecture on Shikoku Island. Although Shikoku is famous for its pilgrimage and numerous Shingon Buddhism temples, Mr. Tani’s temple is outside the pilgrimage route and from another tradition:…