It may sound strange to some, but Japan does celebrate Christmas. Of course, the Japanese version of Christmas is different from the Western one — but it's also similar in many ways. Since Japan is not a predominantly Christian society, they don't associate Christmas with any religious beliefs in their present-day celebration of the holiday. … Continue reading How Does Japan Celebrate Christmas?
What Are Japanese Temples and Shrines? A Guide
If you’re planning a trip to Japan, you will definitely want to visit some Japanese temples and shrines. Temples and shrines are beautiful places. More than just religious places, many are also historically or culturally significant as well. So, what is a Japanese temple? And how does a temple differ from a shrine? At first … Continue reading What Are Japanese Temples and Shrines? A Guide
Understanding Japanese: Sumimasen (済みません) vs. Gomenasai (御免なさい)
Two essential phrases When it comes to understanding Japanese, few phrases are more essential than sumimasen and gomenasai. Both of these are frequently translated as “I’m sorry.” Naturally, given Japan’s well-deserved reputation as a polite society, these two phrases will get you through a lot of situations in Japanese culture. But which one should you … Continue reading Understanding Japanese: Sumimasen (済みません) vs. Gomenasai (御免なさい)
What Was the Classical Era (Period) in Japan?
If you want to understand Japan, it helps to know about the Classical Era in Japanese history. The Classical Era could be considered one of the historic building blocks upon which Japan was built. During this period, Japan borrowed a lot of Chinese culture, and then modified it into something uniquely Japanese. This period also … Continue reading What Was the Classical Era (Period) in Japan?