Yokai are an important part of Japanese culture and folklore, but there are many different types of yokai. Most yokai appear in tales as monsters or beasts, but others appear as ghosts or spirits. So, what are the origins of yokai (see also ‘What Is The Most Famous Yokai?‘)? Were any of them human at …
Can A Human Become A Yokai? – What You Need To Know Read More »
Japanese folklore has given us some of the most impressive and iconic figures in all of the world. If you’ve ever watched the modern anime ‘Naruto’ then you’ve probably heard of the 9-Tailed Fox before. But the fox in this story comes from a long tradition of this figure being used within Japanese mythology. So …
What Is The 9-Tailed Fox Called? – Famous Yōkai Explained Read More »
Shintoism is an ancient belief in Japan, and translates to “the way of the gods”. Shinto is not actually a religion, as it is based on ritual rather than belief. For this reason, it has coexisted alongside Buddhism in harmony for many centuries. This belief system is the primary one in Japan, and has a …
What Happens After Death In Shinto? – Understanding The Japanese Afterlife Read More »
To tackle the issues of the present, we occasionally need to go to the past. For instance, some historical traditions may hold the answers to environmental challenges. Ancient Japanese religion and philosophy known as Shinto instructs followers to respect and coexist peacefully with the natural world. Shinto places a strong emphasis on expressing gratitude and …
What Is Shinto? – Beliefs, Affirmations, And Practices Read More »
Japan’s national sport, sumo is big, bold, exciting and steeped in rich history and tradition. It’s also completely unique to Japan and comes as somewhat of a surprise for a country and people associated with being polite and understated. Sumo is practiced professionally only in Japan, and the best wrestlers are seen as national heroes. …
For many globetrotters, Japan is a country that immediately feels like home. In fact, the country is so welcoming and serene, that many expats don’t think twice when it comes time to plant roots and settle down for the foreseeable future. As of 2020, there are about 2.89 million expats living in Japan, making up …
Buying a House in Japan: Where to Find English Speaking Realtors Read More »
For those with an IT or tech background looking for both gainful employment and a change of scenery, Japan is a welcome destination. Japanese companies are looking for skilled IT professionals, as well as other positions in the tech industry, and they’re hiring foreigners in greater numbers than ever before. Do you need to speak …
Tech Jobs in Japan: Do You Need to Speak Japanese? Read More »
Does Japan call to you? Have you always wanted to move overseas and start a life in Tokyo or Osaka? Whether you’re moving to immerse yourself in Japan’s unique culture, you want to be closer to family, you’re exploring career options—or for any other reason—living in Japan as an expat is an experience like no …
English School Franchises: Your Ticket to a Life in Japan? Read More »
Whether you’re planning a visit to the country or you’re simply curious about cultural traditions, Japan’s religious practices are interesting to learn about. While the country is “famous” for being generally non-religious, the Japanese people are a spiritual people, with most of the population practicing some form of faith or belief. Spiritual beliefs are some …
If you want to fully immerse yourself in the culture and traditions of Japan, it doesn’t hurt to learn a bit of the language before you go. Learning Japanese can be tough, since the language is so different from Western dialects. Thankfully, there’s a simple, entertaining way to kickstart your language-learning experience. If you want …
Learning Japanese From Manga: Common Phrases and Vocabulary Read More »
