Before starting to work at SEKAI HOTEL in September 2019, Yuki had many experiences in the accommodation and social venture industries. She used to work for Hoshino Resorts, Japan’s most famous ryokan [traditional inns] and luxury hotels group. There, Yuki worked on how to give life back to ryokan that were in deficit. Later, she left Japan…
Learn What It Takes to Become an Animator in Japan – An Interview with Studio Director Mar Expósito
Mar Expósito was born in Barcelona, Spain, and grew up watching plenty of animation and spending a lot of time drawing. She came to Japan in 2014 with the project to work in the animation industry. The first animated short film she directed received several awards, and earlier this year, she built her own animation company in…
How a Frenchman Fell in Love with Japanese Antiques
Richard is a French national who has been living in Japan since 2015. At 58 years old, he is the kind of person who has lived several lives in a single life. He is the owner and cook of his own French restaurant in the Kagurazaka area of Tokyo, “le Moccot.” The restaurant’s name is…
What Is Wasanbon, the Traditional Japanese Sugar?
Japanese food culture’s popularity has increased worldwide during the last few years and its sweets are also gaining more attention. Among them, there is wasanbon, a kind of sugar often presented in traditional shapes and colorful designs. But aside from its aesthetics, what makes it different from other sugars? Wasanbon, an “Upper-class” Sugar Wasanbon is a…
How to Bathe in Japanese Onsen and Public Baths
“Do you prefer taking a shower or a bath?”If you have the opportunity to communicate with Japanese people, this question might pop up during conversation. Japanese people’s curiosity towards foreigners’ habits in the matter can be surprising at first. The fact is bathing is an important part of the Japanese way of life. Taking a…
The Pig Incense Burner and Other Cute Japanese Summer Souvenirs
Here are three typical Japanese items easy to find in the summer that are small, cute, and make perfect souvenirs. 1: The Pig Incense Burner and Mosquito Repellent During the summertime in Japan, you can smell the delightful aroma of incense burning in houses and hotels. This incense, green and spiral-shaped, is called katori senko (senko…
Obon: the Japanese Tradition of Visiting the Graves of Ancestors
Every year, for a few days before and after August 15, trains and tourist resorts overflow with people. Not only are hotels and flights expensive, but they also become fully booked well ahead of time. For the Japanese, this period is the peak of summer vacation. But this period, called obon, is also much more….
Why Do Japanese Shop Doors Have Curtains?
Store curtains are often hung at the entrances of shops and restaurants in Japan. Here is the role of these curtains and their origin. What are these curtains? You may have noticed flag-like curtains hanging in front of Japanese shops or restaurants. These are called noren in Japanese. In Japanese, this word is written with…
Yes, You Can Eat Anglerfish: Here Is How the Japanese Do It.
Despite its terrible looks granted by nature and its slimy texture, anglerfish is actually edible. The monster is turned into a delicacy by Japanese cooks. The Difference between Anglerfish, Monkfish, and Footballfish Before talking about cuisine, a distinction should be made between the terms anglerfish, monkfish, and footballfish. Although the fish look similar, the words…
How to Say ‘Sorry I’m Late’ in Japanese Depending on Your Situation
It is a well-known fact that being late is frowned upon in Japanese culture. Being late when you meet friends will not hurt your friendships badly as long as you apologize and don’t try to make up excuses. Your Japanese friends might very well be the ones who are late. But in business culture, it’s…