Cold mugicha (barley tea) is a drink that is popular in Japan, especially in summer, or after taking a bath or exercising. How is it different from green tea and what are its effects? What Are the Differences Between Mugicha and Other Teas? Mugicha is golden brown, whereas green tea is… well, green.There are other…
Experiencing Japanese Punctuality
Some time ago, I talked with my colleague Ayano about the different forms Japanese thoughtfulness can take. She then remembered her manager at a previous company, who would do everything to show up precisely on time when having meetings at a client’s place. “If you’re late, it’s rude. If you’re too early, it can be…
Petting Beetles: The Strange Love of Japanese People for Insects
You may be one of the numerous people who have spent long lockdown hours playing the Nintendo video game hit Animal Crossing: New Horizons. If so, the hobby of insect collecting, and the sound of cicadas have become familiar to you. But did you know this is directly inspired by the Japanese’s peculiar relationship with…
Tips for Autumn in Japan
In the very first “Kokoro Media Unfiltered” video discussion, we talk about the many ways to enjoy Japan during autumn!
What makes autumn special? What are the recommended seasonal food? What are the best places to go to? We answer these questions and more!
10 Japanese Language Tips That Will Make You Sound Fluent
Here you are: you have been studying the Japanese language for some time and are ready to have conversations with Japanese people. However, the Japanese language learned from a textbook or in the classroom can be quite different from the Japanese language people actually speak! Here are some tips to make your Japanese sound more…
A Short Introduction to Jizo, a Japanese Bodhisattva
When traveling in Japan, you may see statues dressed in red cloth. They are representations of Jizo, the Buddhist divinity loved by most Japanese people! I, too, love them and would like to give you a brief introduction to their role and symbolism. The Roles of Jizo The Jizo Bodhisattva, “O-Jizo-san” in the Japanese honorific…
Surviving the Japanese Heat
The Japanese summer heat, with its high humidity, is famous for being difficult to bear. Japanese people themselves have a hard time coping with it, and “Atsui ne,” [“It’s so hot, isn’t it?”] is the seasonal start of most conversations. Summer 2020 is an exception in the sense that it is even worse than usual….
How Universal Movement Uses Instagram to Promote Inclusiveness in Japan
Kizu Takami is the creator of Universal Movement. This Instagram account promotes a better understanding and acceptance of people with disabilities in Japanese society. To do so, she uses colorful illustrations and easy-to-read explanations. I have interviewed her to know more about her mission, her creative process, and her point of view about the place of…
The Life-Changing Power of Butoh and Japanese Performing Arts
Midori Okuyama is a Japanese theater producer who has always been involved with the Japanese performing arts. One of her main works is producing Sankai Juku, the most famous butoh dance company. In this interview, she talks about Japanese arts and how it is received by foreign audiences, explains to us what butoh is about,…
Greetings Used Before and After Meals: “Itadakimasu” and “Gochisosama”
Before eating meals, Japanese people join their hands in front of their chests and say, “itadakimasu.” After finishing, they perform the same gesture and say, “gochisosama.” These greetings are part of a day-to-day manner. Japanese people hold their hands this way to show respect and to put their thoughts and feelings into form. They use the…