Winter season is the best for enjoying Onsen (Hot-springs). I can be so relaxed and have wonderful feeling whenever I jump into the warmer Onsen from very cold outside. The last episode in 2018 is about Shima Onsen in Gunma Prefecture where I visited with my husband the other day in this month. Shima Onsen…
Author: Marurun
I am a local Japanese who like travels, hot springs and trekking in nature with experience as an English-speaking guide for foreign guests and professional marketing/PR background. The center of my curiosity was foreign cultures in my young generation, however, it has gradually changed to my own culture after staying in other countries for a while and visiting various local areas in my country. I am very keen on sharing interesting information from my point of view, mainly in Japan and sometimes in the world!
“Nabe (Hot Pot) ” is Japanese Soul Food in Winter Time
In western countries, it may be common that dishes are served in each person one after another, however, Japanese people like to share several dishes among people together. If you have visited to Japan before, you might encounter the scene that Japanese were exchanging small portions of their own dishes each other at restaurants. In…
December is the Season of Volunteer Support for My Friend’s Shrine
The last month of 2018 has come and I am always surprised how the time fly by so quickly at the season of every year. It is also the season for me to have annual event in these several years, which is a volunteer support at the shrine where my friend devotes as Shinto priest….
White Mask is a Must-have Item During Winter and Spring
At the season between the late autumn and the early spring, you may see lots of people wearing a mask in Tokyo. I heard that people in other countries seldom use a mask unless having serious illness, so that the scene seems to be a bit bizarre among foreign tourists. Of course, it is very…
Okukinu Onsen Hiking with Gorgeous Landscape in Autumn
It has been the mid-autumn in Japan, which is my most favorite season in a year. I believe this is the best time to travel in our country for enjoying landscape in the nature due to changing leaves colors from green to yellow & red. The season reminds me that a time to visit Teshiozawa…
7,5,3 are special numbers for Japanese families with children
You may encounter Japanese families with children wearing on colorful kimonos when you visit to shrines and temples between late October and mid November in Japan. It is the season of “Shichi-Go-San” (means “Seven-Five-Three” in English) which is the traditional Japanese custom to celebrate children’s growth and to pray for their health in the future….
Somehow, I am an Omamori (Amulet) Collector
When you visit Shinto Shrine and Buddhist temples, you can find they are selling various kinds of Omamori (Amulets) at the booths in front of their main buildings. Each shrine and temple have usually their strengths and themes and are providing their own amulets such as exorcism, safety traffic, better fortune, good health, marriage &…
9 Basic Manners at Hot Springs or Public Baths in Japan
Hot springs (Onsen) and Public baths (Sento) are one of my favorite Japanese culture which I would like to leave to the future. So many foreign travelers also came when I visited to hot springs resorts all over Japan. I am very glad to share the wonderful culture with them, but I sometimes encountered regretful…
Fascinating Green Tea Sweets in Tokyo
I came back to the blog since almost 2 months absence due to my works, trip to Europe and preparation for an exam of official guide license. September has already come and season has changed into fall, my most favorite season in a year! Green tea is one of the best seasoning for various sweets…
We Prefer Not to be Workaholic!
There is one question often asked from my foreign guests and friends and it is about “overworking” by Japanese people. Unfortunately, I have to say that “Yes, we do” as the answer for that. Although it depends on each company and industry to some extent, Japanese are still overworking compared with workers in other countries…
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