What Is Obon? Bon (盆), or Obon (お盆) is a midsummer festival not unlike Mexico’s Day of the Dead. According to Buddhist belief, ancestors’ spirits are believed to come back…
納豆 na ・ tto Lots of Japanese health foods are trending around the world, from kombucha (in Japan, called “koucha kinoko” (紅茶キノコ) or mushroom tea) to green tea to tofu.…
甘酒 “Ama-sake.”Sweet alcohol.Refreshing and smooth, the secret to beating the summer heat. In this article, I want to tell you about Japan’s traditional rice beverage and natural energy drink, amazake! Please note…
Ichii-go, ichi-e. This time we spend together may be the first and last, so let us treasure it. What do you think of when you think of “wa?”Maybe “washoku” Japanese food,…
What Is Tanabata? (Published July 2020, updated July 2021) Tanabata (七夕), literally meaning “seven evenings,” is the Festival of Stars in Japan. This is a celebration of the once-a-year reunion…