新年あけましておめでとうございます。 Shinnen akemashite omedetou gozaimasu! (Belated) Happy New Year! 2021 has already begun, but in case you missed any New Year’s prep and want to be better prepared for next…

新年あけましておめでとうございます。 Shinnen akemashite omedetou gozaimasu! (Belated) Happy New Year! 2021 has already begun, but in case you missed any New Year’s prep and want to be better prepared for next…
御歳暮 おせいぼ Oseibo Right around the same time that we in the West start Christmas shopping for friends, family, and co-workers, Japan is also getting into Santa-mode. Only, it’s not for…
This year, the lively and fun autumn festivals in Japan have been canceled, like so many other public events. But nothing can stop the seasons from happening in order, just…
“Dosoku kinshi” (土足禁止) Shoes Prohibited Shoes Prohibited! “Dosoku kinshi” (土足禁止) means “shoes prohibited.” Although in the West we walk straight into the house wearing our shoes or sandals, in Japan,…
梅酒 Ume-shu If you have ever been to an izakaya (居酒屋), Japanese pub, you might remember trying a delightfully sweet, fruity, and surprisingly strong drink called umeshu, Japanese plum wine.…
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