Lifestyle blog featuring thoughts, musings and a personal point of view about Japanese style, interiors, culture and travel.
All languages have their quirks that seem strange to non-native speakers and Japanese is no different. When learning and listening to spoken Japanese, you quickly become aware of little phrases used in everyday speech that don’t have any direct translation. Instead they mimic a sound – what we call ‘onomatopoeia’.
Even today, Japanese people maintain a cherished tradition that combines culinary skills with aesthetic beauty: the 'o-bento' lunch box.
These meticulously crafted meals-on-the-go are not just about sustenance; they are a reflection of Japanese culture, history and the art of presentation.
Japan is a country rich in tradition and craftsmanship and one aspect of Japanese culture where these two come together is in the ‘hanko’ stamp or seal.
‘Kissaten’, or ‘kissa’ for short, basically means a Western style café or coffee shop in Japan and it has come to refer specifically to retro-style coffee shops with a nostalgic atmosphere and décor straight from the mid to late 20th century.
In Japan, there is a lovely tradition most prevalent at New Year – the writing and exchange of handwritten cards and postcards known as "nengajo".
Japan, with its rich cultural tapestry, is known for many things and one of the gems in its cultural crown is the national drink: Sake.
As well as being a relaxing drink with a complex flavour profile, this traditional Japanese rice wine has ceremonial and cultural importance as well as playing a strong role in Japanese cuisine.
Wood carving and wood turning in Japan has a rich history stretching back to ancient times. Combining fine aesthetics and practical function, the art continues to thrive today.
Autumn in Japan is a magical time when the summer heat mellows into cooler, crisper days and nature transforms into a vivid display of red, orange and yellow. This season is cherished by both locals and visitors for its breathtaking foliage, cultural festivals and delectable foods.
As we approach autumn and get a feel for the cooler months ahead, one timeless and heart-warming trend is coming to the fore once again: vintage-inspired tableware. This trend, characterized by its homely and cosy look, has become an increasingly popular way to decorate homes and is a style that is often seen in Japanese homeware and tableware.
Making Japanese food at home can seem difficult and a lot of bother, which it is if you want to do it well! Many recipes require a lot of typically Japanese ingredients and sometimes specialist kitchen equipment that are hard to find, especially if you live in a rural area.
If you are new to Japanese food then some of the ingredients or even the terms that are used to describe it can seem very strange and may even put you off trying them.
In Japan, drinking tea is a cherished activity which is surrounded by tradition and ceremony. It’s a moment to conjure feelings of harmony and tranquility and to savour the delicate taste and aroma of Japanese tea.
Chopsticks have been around since at least 1200 BCE and the oldest ones we know of originated in China. Nowadays you will find chopsticks used in China, North and South Korea, Vietnam, Malaysia and, of course, Japan.
Japanese cuisine includes many delicious side dishes, condiments and dips that are served as part of the main meal.
They’re often not easy to find in UK supermarkets, especially if you don’t live in a big city, but some are quite easy to make yourself with just a few ingredients. They really add that extra authenticity to your meal and bring out the delicious umami flavour of your Japanese cooking!
Originally a celebration date in the Christian calendar, St Valentine’s Day has become rather commercial in the West but nonetheless a time when we celebrate love, romance, friendship and affection.
When I worked for a large Japanese company, anyone who had traveled from Japan, usually managers and directors, nearly always brought back gifts for their co-workers and subordinates.
What’s the deal with a suribachi? Isn’t it just the same as a pestle and mortar? Well not quite…
The suribachi is a traditional cooking implement used in Japan. The word literally means ‘grinding bowl’ and it’s similar in function and shape to a pestle and mortar. There are, however, some notable differences and many cooks and chefs prefer the Japanese version.
Colour is important in many aspects of our lives and the colours we surround ourselves with can have an impact on our mood, how we feel and our well being.
Fugu, known as pufferfish or blowfish in English, is the notorious deadly fish eaten in Japan as a specially prepared delicacy.
The takifugu fish itself is quite a cute looking creature with the distinctive round pufferfish shape. But, if you happened to hook one on a fishing trip, I would think twice before sticking it on the grill or slicing it for sashimi!
Furoshiki, traditional Japanese fabric wrapping cloths, have an interesting origin dating back many hundreds of years.
And yet they're still common in Japan today and finding popularity in the West too because of its use as a replacement for single use wrapping paper.
Matcha is a type of green tea made from the leaves of the tea bush just the same as other types of tea. But matcha is quite different in a number of ways.