Meet Wa ! JOI Staff Blog

In Japan, watermelon are known as Suika (スイカ) .
They are a popular fruit and great snack during the summer season.
But did you know about the nutritional value and the different (and expensive!) watermelon types that are often given for summer gifts (Ochugen お中元) ?

Do you enjoy looking at art?
If you have time to kill in Tokyo, then a recommended spot is Ueno park and its museums.
Read more to find out about these!

What are some of the most popular fireworks festivals or 花火大会 (Hanabi Taikai) in Japan?
When are these festivals usually held?
What should I know before going?

What are Japanese Yukata (浴衣)?

When do people wear the Yukata?

Are there any rules to wearing the Yukata?

What are the differences between American Baseball and Japanese baseball?
When is the baseball season in Japan?
Read on to find these answers and more.

Hakata Gion Yamakasa (博多祇園山笠) is Fukuoka’s most famous 祭り (matsuri) or festival.

If you are ever in Kyushu in July, please try to catch this exciting spectacle.

This is a simple explanation of the democratic process in Japan.

Simply put, it is a dominant-party bicameral parliamentary constitutional monarchy.

Have you ever seen pictures of lots of colorful strips of paper hanging on bamboo strips?
Do you know the story behind the Tanabata festival?
This is a quick explanation.

Did you know that there are different categories or classifications of medicine in Japan?
Check this blog to learn the differences between Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3 medicines.

 Many people have been commenting on the fact that Japanese people are still wearing masks!
The government is actually trying to get people to stop wearing masks.

If you are planning to travel to Japan, please check these guidelines.

 The summer has just begun as the rainy season finished.
And it looks like it is going to be a humid and muggy Japanese summer.
Please take care not to get heatstroke and try to make use of this advice.

How has Japan been reacting to the increase in temperatures and the abnormal weather conditions (that are fast becoming normal)?

And in our Instagram and Facebook, there was a great image that introduced school subjects in Japanese.

Did you catch this?

How do you say Rainy Season in Japanese?

The answer is actually more complicated than you would expect!