tradition

Why Sensoji temple in Asakusa is better at night

One of Tokyo’s most historic areas is even more spectacular without the crowds.

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Akutai Matsuri: Japan’s Verbal Abuse Festival, where insults and bad behaviour are encouraged

People in Japan are known for being polite, but not at this weird winter festival.

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Japanese exam-taking jeans: The luckiest jeans in Japan

Drawing on cool traditional details and the mystical power of kotodama to help you pass any test in style.

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You can enjoy traditional Japanese New Year’s osechi eats on a budget with Lawson Store 100

Slight price increases don’t stop them from being affordable.

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Celebrate Japanese New Year traditions with Studio Ghibli decorations

Totoro, Jiji and No Face bring anime charm to some traditional customs.

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Kyoto’s “ikezu” culture of backhanded compliments explained in hilarious souvenir sticker series

Behind the calm, polite face of a Kyotoite is an angry woman who wants to shout at you for being so uncultured.

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100-year-old brush shop in Tokyo sells a Japanese body brush that’s painfully good

Mr Sato treats his skin to a beauty product that’s surprisingly painful. 

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Expensive Japanese nail clippers: Are they worth it?

Precision quality from a city known for its blacksmithing techniques. 

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300-year-old Tokyo comb company sells 30,000-yen wooden hair combs—Are they worth it?

And if you’d rather have a 60,000-yen comb, this Asakusa shop has some of those too.

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Usher good luck into your home this New Year with Totoro tenugui from Studio Ghibli

My Neighbour Totoro and Spirited Away characters reimagined as New Year’s decorations.

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The two best Tsukimi Moon-Viewing burgers in Japan for 2023

Find out which two chains are the ones to visit when the moon rises on this special festival day.

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How should you use the small hiroen in a Japanese ryokan hotel room?

Answering a question that’s puzzled travellers for decades.

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Keanu Reeves teams up with Suntory for new series exploring Japanese whisky and monozukuri【Video】

“An Exploration of Monozukuri with Keanu Reeves” takes us on a fascinating deep dive into Japanese craftsmanship, with Roman Coppola and the Hollywood star who was “staggered” when he first tasted Hibiki. 

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Airbnb offers special free stay at a traditional Japanese gassho house in a World Heritage Site

Unique accommodation plan will make you feel like you’ve stepped into the world of Studio Ghibli. 

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Japanese vending machine in Edo-period town sells a very rare type of tofu

There’s something so beautiful about modern conveniences in traditional surroundings.

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Studio Ghibli releases a Totoro wind chime with a century of craftsmanship behind it

Anime studio’s love for traditional processes extends to its newest merchandise offering.

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680-year-old Shinto ritual of horses running up earthen “wall” draws animal abuse complaints【Vids】

Horses that make it to the top are seen as signs of good harvest, but those that don’t may die.

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Step back in time to the Edo period at this unusual highway rest stop in Japan

Both the setting and the unique meals here will whisk you away to traditional Japan.

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The meaning of the mandarin and 6 other Japanese New Year traditions explained

Join us as we take a look at some of the most popular Japanese New Year traditions and reveal the spiritual symbolism and superstitions behind them.

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Japanese conveyor belt restaurant delivers food by boat in Tokyo

Floating meals are just the start of what makes this restaurant so memorable.

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