Blogs edited and submitted by Chiho Kamioka

Japanese sweet and snack makers Japan has a huge number of snack and sweet producers. From the traditional makers of Wagashi which are traditional Japanese confections that are often served with tea, to the modern snacks and potato chips that you can buy in supermarkets and convenience stores all over the country. Some snacks are considered local delicacies and domestic tourists often buy these ...

Cleanliness in Japan Japan as a country is quite well-known for its cleanliness. Many visitors to its cities are impressed by the lack of garbage in the streets. In schools, children have to clean their own classrooms starting from the first grade. And the most efficient methods are learned at an early age by many students. So the roots of this practice may be in the education system. There are a...

Christmas in Japan Japan has only really started celebrating Christmas on a wide scale during the last few decades. Being a largely Buddhist country, it is not celebrated as a religious holiday. But as with most nations and cultures in the world, the Japanese also have their own unique take on the holiday with something borrowed and something new. In this language learning blog from Japanese te...

Japanese children's songs When learning a new language, one great source of learning can be children's learning materials. Japanese children's songs can help you to learn Japanese vocabulary and also are a great insight into Japanese culture. There are thousands of children's songs that you can use, and many sites online that introduce a number of these. When you find yourself a little stuck in ...

Japanese Bento The story of Washoku or Japanese cuisine would not be complete without the Japanese bento or lunchboxes. It is a food culture that everyday people come across daily. Since traditional Japanese food is served individually on many small plates, inside a Japanese bento box you tend to find each food organized separately in holders or cups. You can buy cheap bento at convenience store...