I’ve been a stalwart fan of Japanese sports cars since I was a teenager. So naturally, one of the first things I did upon arriving in Tokyo in 2009 was to seek out the local car scene. It was easy enough to attend car shows or visit Fuji Speedway for a track day, but living…
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…
How to Use your Japanese Folding Fan the Right Way
The Different Uses of the Folding Fan in Japanese Culture Many people may think of the folding fan as something to put on the wall for decoration or as an accessory used by noble ladies at social gatherings. They are among our recommended best summer souvenirs. However, in Japan, the folding fan is an object…
5 Quick and Easy Tips to Make a Good Impression on the Japanese Business Scene
Learning all of the intricate rules that shape business conduct in Japan could take a lifetime. This is evidenced by the intimidating amounts of content available on this topic. It’s enough to make you throw in the towel and give up your dreams of working or starting a business in Japan. I’m here to tell…
The Dos and Don’ts of Bowing in Japan
In shops, in the streets, on the phone… You may have noticed that Japanese people bow all the time! Japan has a lot of hidden rules and manners, but the habit of bowing is evident. Why and When Do Japanese People Bow? Ojigi, the “bow,” is an essential manner for the Japanese people, especially when…
Kotodama: The Spiritual Power of Words in Japanese Culture
During my recent interview with Sathi, she mentioned kotodama as one of the Japanese concepts she tried to integrate into her everyday life. She summed it up as follows: “When you say good things, good things will happen.” This made me want to know more and do further research on this concept. Here is what I found….
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…
What It’s like to Bathe in Japanese Public Baths and Onsen
“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…
Three Tokyo Ramen Restaurants Featured in Michelin Guides
If you are interested in Michelin restaurants and the Japanese dish of ramen, you’ve no doubt heard of Tsuta and Konjiki Hototogisu: both places have been awarded one Michelin star each. Consequently, both have extremely long lines. However, the Michelin’s guide’s love story with Japan’s number one fast-food dish doesn’t stop there. In this article,…
Soba House Konjiki Hototogisu – a Michelin Ramen Restaurant near Shinjuku Gyoen Park
What is the number one ranked ramen restaurant in the Shinjuku area? There are several ranking sites for ramen but recently the “ramen database” (in Japanese only) has started appearing frequently in my search results. Their number 1 ramen restaurant in the Shinjuku area is Soba House Konjiki Hototogisu (Konjiki for short), a one-star restaurant…