The kimono is Japan's traditional garment. Kimono literally means “the thing worn” with Ki (着) meaning “wear” and mono (物) meaning “thing”.
Up until the 19th century, which is known as the Meiji period Kimono was worn by everyone every day.
Nowadays, Japanese people rarely wear kimonos in everyday life, reserving them for such special occasions such as weddings, funerals,...
After the freezing winter has passed the best travelling season is coming, spring! If you are lucky enough to go to Japan in spring, you must do one thing…ohanami!
But wait, What's ohanami?
Ohanami is a Japanese spring custom. This is where we enjoy the transient beauty of sakura (cherry-blossoms) while having a picnic underneath sakura trees. Cherry blossoms typically bloom...
Owning your own house may be one of your goals in life!
According to Demographia International Housing Affordability Survey 2017, Sydney is the second and Melbourne is the sixth most unaffordable city to buy in the world!
Let’s take a look at Japan.
Japanese people in their late 30’s own just over half of their house, while the over 60’s own 80% of their...
Bento, essentially a boxed lunch. It’s sold at bento shops, convenient stores and other places that sell ready meals.
Since old times, when they made bento box Japanese mothers made octopus-shaped sausages, drew patterns and pictures by putting nori (dried weed) on top of white rice and make rabbit shape apple to make their children happy and to encourage a...
Do you know “Shokuhin Samples”?
Have you ever seen plastic food samples in front of Japanese restaurants instead of the traditional menus?
They look real, like real food… but they are all fake!
Almost hard to believe, isn’t it?
Plastic food samples have been around for over 100 years in Japan with the first on display in 1917.
Takizo Iwasaki (1895-1965) is acknowledged as...
Fukubukuro （福袋） is a Lucky Bag with various mystery gifts inside, one of Japanese traditions during the New Year. Fukubukuro is sealed firmly so you cannot peek inside before buying one and will always contain something of a higher value for what you paid.
Many retail stores provide Fukubukuro nowadays and especially the most popular Fukubukuro is from trendy fashionable brands ranging in...
I am a big fan of studio Ghibli since I was a child and my feeling for Ghibli will never change. When we talk how great Ghibli’s movies are, we can hardly discuss without Hayao Miyazaki who is one of the greatest animation directors. Therefore, I want everyone to know what kind of person he is and when he...
Joe Hisaishi - A Multi-Talented Japanese Composer
I was fortunate to attend a symphonic concert in Melbourne composed by Joe Hisaishi with Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, where I listened to music from the Studio Ghibli films by Hayao Miyazaki. Needless to say it was an amazing experience. I started to cry from the moment I heard his music.
During the concert, Miyazaki left...
As Winter has officially began, the days have become shorter and colder. It’s the season where Japanese people love to visit the hot springs!
Onsen written in Kanji is 温泉. ‘温’(on) means "warm" and ‘泉’(sen) means "spring".
Japan is geographically situated on a number of volcanos with 3,133 onsens and further 28,033 untapped geothermal fountains still remaining in Japan.
Onsen waters are known...
In search of the best ramen in Melbourne
I remember just a short time ago Ramen was the best thing since sliced bread, a fad, in fact, a trend even but somehow Melbournians have really embraced it. The trend is still strong today and seems to be more and more popular as I find new shops in Melbourne all the...
