japan, noto peninsula, salt, salt production

The Traditional Technique for Harvesting Sea Salt by Hand in Japan

Japan is a country known for its technological prowess and rich heritage of handicrafts and arts. However, little is known about one ancient tradition of Japan, that of harvesting sea salt by hand. In some regions of Japan, harvesting sea salt by hand is still practiced and the quality of salt made by the method ...

Max Lu

Okunoto Suzu Salt Farm Village on Noto Peninsula, Japan – a field for extraction of salt from sea water and traditional Agehama-method tools.

Why Do People Around the World Take Their Shoes Off at Home?

Wearing shoes in someone’s home can be a sign of respect or an insult depending on the culture. This is because it is customary for people to take their shoes off when entering a private residence, but it may not always be appropriate to do so. Where did the custom to take off shoes originate? ...

Hermann Rohr

Woman dressed in business look entering home and taking off her higheel, right foot.

The Art of Japanese Swordsmithing

The popularity and cult status of Katana or swords used by mighty Samurai warriors is hard to overlook. The secret of these swords being so lethal lies in the hands of veteran Japanese swordsmithing. Katanas were crafted so strong that warriors used them to cut other swords! The long-bladed katanas are still created using traditional ...

Max Lu

Samurai sword.

Japanese Children Win at the Starting Line

Japan has always led the way with its unique approach to education. Their traditions are embedded in their education system so that Japanese children inherit a solid foundation of virtue and morality, along with academic knowledge. China, on the other hand, has been focussing more on a child winning than being virtuous. China’s education system ...

Kathy McWilliams

Japanese school children.

15 Tips to Remember When Visiting Japan

Japan is a sophisticated nation acclaimed for its friendliness and hospitality. If you don’t want to make a fool of yourself while visiting Japan, pay attention to the following. 15 tips when visiting Japan 1. Don’t eat while you walk. 2. Don’t chat on your cell phone on public transport. If you have to use ...

Max Lu

Japanese building overlooking Mount Fuji.

Bicycle Noodle Delivery: Tokyo’s Remarkable Memories

Imagine your favorite noodles being delivered at lunchtime by a restaurant courier. Although the way to order your lunch has changed, in Japan, noodles used to arrive by bicycle noodle delivery with a difference. Today’s constant rush and lifestyles that revolve around earning to sustain a better lifestyle means we are very comfortable with the ...

Max Lu

Japanese color woodblock print of a soba delivery man riding a bicycle with a tall stack of boxes on one shoulder.

A Brief History of Japan’s Female Samurai

In a number of Hollywood offerings, you have seen the fearsome Japanese Samurai warriors and their astonishing warfare skills. While a lot of people, especially in the Western nations, think of samurai warriors as only male, the truth is female samurai warriors did exist. In fact, the women warriors in the Samurai clan were as ...

Emma Lu

An actress or a geisha posing as Nakano Takeko, the famous female samurai warrior (Onna-musha) of the Aizu Domain.

Japan’s Remarkable Mount Fuji Culture

The Japanese people are struck by Mount Fuji’s beauty throughout the seasons and the nation has been in awe of it since ancient times. Locals learned to respect the mountain’s fiery nature, as it is an active stratovolcano. Mount Fuji is situated on the island of Honshu and is 100 kilometers (62 miles) away from ...

Trisha Haddock

Japanese building overlooking Mount Fuji.

A Guide to the Amazing Kokeshi Dolls of Japan

Japan is known for its amazing cuisine and progress in technological fields; however, the Asian country also has some age-old arts and crafts that have been nurtured and preserved over the years. One such example is the craft of kokeshi dolls. Kokeshi wood dolls have their origins in Japan’s tōhoku region. Its origin can be ...

Raven Montmorency

Kokeshi dolls.

Ohaguro: The Traditional Japanese Sign of Beauty

Ohaguro — or “blackened teeth” — is a practice in which people, mainly women, dye their teeth black. While the custom of Ohaguro was practiced in different parts of the world, It is most commonly associated with Japan. Society has always dictated what is attractive and beautiful, and this is no exception. Up until the end ...

Troy Oakes

Japanese Geisha in Kyoto with face painted white and wearing a purple kimono, holding a paper parasol.