About Life in Japan

Do you know about Respect for the Aged Day? In Japan, the third Monday of September every year is Respect for the Aged Day. This day is considered to be a day to respect and express gratitude to the elderly who have worked hard for society and their families for a long time. Grandparents are very important to Japanese people. [The origin of Respect for the Aged Day

In Japan, typhoon season mainly occurs from August to October. Typhoons bring strong rain and wind, and may cause transportation such as trains and airplanes to be suspended. In some areas, power outages and water shortages may occur. It is important to obtain accurate information in advance and make the necessary preparations. [How to find typhoon information] Typhoon information can be found on television.

If you live in Japan, you often hear the word "typhoon" every summer and autumn. A typhoon is a natural disaster that brings heavy rain and strong winds. Every year, several typhoons approach or make landfall in Japan. [Typhoon? Hurricane? Cyclone?] The word "typhoon" is a term often used in Japan and Asia.

In the summer, you can often see people walking around Japanese towns and festivals wearing yukatas. Yukatas are traditional Japanese summer clothing. They are more casual and easier to wear than kimonos, so they have recently become popular with many foreign tourists. [What kind of clothing is a yukata?] 〇 They are worn by cinching the waist with a piece of fabric called an obi. 〇 They are made of light and breathable materials such as cotton or linen.

Have you ever heard the term "homecoming rush" in the Japanese news? The reason why Japanese people return to their hometowns en masse during this time of year when bullet trains, airplanes, and highways are extremely crowded is related to a special time called "Obon." Obon is a time when it is believed that the spirits of deceased ancestors return to this world.

Summer in Japan is very humid and humid, and there are a lot of mosquitoes. That's why insect repellent is essential in the Japanese summer. Japanese people pay as much attention to insect repellent as they do to sunburn. Have you ever seen a Japanese insect repellent? [Traditional "mosquito coils"] First,

Japanese supermarkets are lined with a wide variety of foods that are perfect for summer. Even on hot days when you lose your appetite, cold, easy-to-eat foods are very popular. Cold noodle dishes are especially popular. Examples include somen noodles, chilled Chinese noodles, zaru soba, and zaru udon. These are cold,

Japan has many national holidays throughout the year. There is a national holiday almost every month from January to December, and people make the most of these days. One of the most distinctive features is the large number of days on which people express gratitude for nature and culture, such as "Mountain Day" and "Marine Day." This reflects the history of the Japanese people, who have lived in harmony with nature since ancient times, and the importance of the changing of the seasons.

When you think of summer in Japan, you think of fireworks displays and festivals. Large flowers spreading across the night sky, people wearing yukata, and bustling food stalls. These uniquely Japanese summer scenes are attracting attention from foreign tourists too. What is a fireworks display? Japanese fireworks displays are not just "firework shows." They are held to coincide with local traditional events and the Obon period.

Have you ever seen colorful paper hanging from bamboo in July in Japan? That is a scene from the traditional Japanese festival called "Tanabata". But why do people write their wishes on paper and hang them on bamboo? Today, I will explain the charm and meaning of Tanabata in an easy-to-understand way. [What is Tanabata?] Tanabata is celebrated on July 7th.