Customs and Culture January 12, 2015 4:28 pm

What Is A Ryokan Hotel?


Customs and Culture January 12, 2015 4:28 pm

What Is A Ryokan Hotel?


Japan Dreaming

What is a ryokan hotel? They are Japanese style inns and they differ a lot from inns in Western culture. They originated in the Edo period (1603–1868), when such inns served travelers along Japan’s highways. They typically feature tatami-matted rooms, communal baths, and other public areas where visitors may wear yukata and talk with the...

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What is a ryokan hotel? They are Japanese style inns and they differ a lot from inns in Western culture. They originated in the Edo period (1603–1868), when such inns served travelers along Japan’s highways. They typically feature tatami-matted rooms, communal baths, and other public areas where visitors may wear yukata and talk with the...

Read more



Customs and Culture January 12, 2015 12:35 pm

Ninja Rundown: A Brief Overview


Customs and Culture January 12, 2015 12:35 pm

Ninja Rundown: A Brief Overview


Japan Dreaming

Ninja Rundown A ninja or shinobi was a covert agent or mercenary in feudal Japan. The functions of the ninja included espionage, sabotage, infiltration, and assassination, and open combat in certain situations. They worked for the lord who hired them or who they had the duty to serve. Despite many popular folktales, historical accounts of...

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Ninja Rundown A ninja or shinobi was a covert agent or mercenary in feudal Japan. The functions of the ninja included espionage, sabotage, infiltration, and assassination, and open combat in certain situations. They worked for the lord who hired them or who they had the duty to serve. Despite many popular folktales, historical accounts of...

Read more



Customs and Culture January 12, 2015 11:44 am

Bonsai Rundown: A Quick Look


Customs and Culture January 12, 2015 11:44 am

Bonsai Rundown: A Quick Look


Tokyo Beer Guide: Summer Session

Bonsai Rundown Bonsai, the Japanese art form using miniature trees grown in containers dates back over a thousand years, and has its own aesthetics and terminology. A bonsai is created beginning with a specimen of source material. This may be a cutting, seedling, or small tree of a species suitable for bonsai development. Bonsai can...

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Bonsai Rundown Bonsai, the Japanese art form using miniature trees grown in containers dates back over a thousand years, and has its own aesthetics and terminology. A bonsai is created beginning with a specimen of source material. This may be a cutting, seedling, or small tree of a species suitable for bonsai development. Bonsai can...

Read more



Customs and Culture January 12, 2015 10:48 am

What Is A Geisha? Fun Facts


Customs and Culture January 12, 2015 10:48 am

What Is A Geisha? Fun Facts


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Geisha (also “geiko” or “geigi” in traditional dialect) are traditional Japanese female entertainers who act as hostesses, often at tea houses, and whose skills include performing various Japanese arts such as classical music, dance and games. Traditionally, Geisha began their training at a very young age. Some girls were bonded to geisha houses (okiya) as...

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Geisha (also “geiko” or “geigi” in traditional dialect) are traditional Japanese female entertainers who act as hostesses, often at tea houses, and whose skills include performing various Japanese arts such as classical music, dance and games. Traditionally, Geisha began their training at a very young age. Some girls were bonded to geisha houses (okiya) as...

Read more



Customs and Culture January 12, 2015 10:33 am

Origami Rundown: A Quick Look


Customs and Culture January 12, 2015 10:33 am

Origami Rundown: A Quick Look


Japan Dreaming

Origami Rundown Origami (折り紙, from ori meaning “folding”, and kami meaning “paper”) is the traditional Japanese art of paper folding, which started in the 17th century AD at the latest and was popularized outside of Japan in the mid-1900s. It has since then evolved into a modern art form. The goal of this art is...

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Origami Rundown Origami (折り紙, from ori meaning “folding”, and kami meaning “paper”) is the traditional Japanese art of paper folding, which started in the 17th century AD at the latest and was popularized outside of Japan in the mid-1900s. It has since then evolved into a modern art form. The goal of this art is...

Read more



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