Emperor's birthday and national holiday
Japan's National Day, also called Emperor's Birthday (Tennō Tanjōbi), is celebrated on the birthday of the reigning emperor. Its date therefore changes with the accession of each new emperor. Following…
The fascinating Shibuya Crossing
If there's one place in Tokyo that's filmed, photographed, and drawn in the media, movies, and manga, it's the unmissable Shibuya intersection, or "Shibuya Crossing" for…
5 animated films to enjoy for Valentine's Day
How about adding a Japanese touch to your Valentine's Day? Better than a dinner out, opt for a movie night at home and choose from our list of…
Sapporo Yuki Matsuri (札幌雪祭り): the snow festival
Every year in February, the capital of Hokkaido, the northernmost of Japan's islands, hosts an unusual "matsuri" (祭り): the Snow Festival. Get your…
Gachapon (ガシャポン): the surprise memory
Japan is a country overflowing with imagination when it comes to developing formidable consumer strategies. For all pop culture enthusiasts, the ガシャポン (gikoku), these vending machines dispensing capsules containing…
Setsubun 節分 or the bean-throwing festival
This February 2nd, we celebrate Setsubun (節分 - せつぶん) in Japan. Fun fact for 2021: this year, Candlemas and Setsubun coincide! A chance to mix traditions?
A Kit Kat in Japan
Kit Kat (noun, masculine): a crispy wafer with a biscuit flavor, coated in smooth chocolate. Do you love these treats? Take advantage of your trip to the archipelago to play the…
Wagashi (和菓子), these elegant Japanese sweets
If you've ever been to Japan, your eye has surely been caught by these small, colorful, beautifully wrapped treats: these are wagashi (和菓子). These traditional sweets are…
First cherry blossom forecasts
Spring is approaching, and with it, hanami season! [Updated February 12] In Tokyo, the first blossoms (開花, kaika) are expected to appear on the 20th…
Are you familiar with fukubukuro 福袋?
In France, winter sales generally begin on the second Wednesday of January, while in Japan, most retailers launch their eagerly awaited promotions as early as January 1st (ganjitsu 元日…