Stories and Objects
Deep from within Japan
New Stories
Toka Ebisu Festivals: Seeking Luck with the Help of a Laughing God
Ebisu, Japan’s beaming god of good fortune, anchors the lively Toka Ebisu festival season, from Nishinomiya Shrine’s Lucky Man race to Osaka’s large-scale celebrations and Kyoto rituals featuring g...
A Hotline to the Gods: Wishing on Ema in Japan Shinto Shrines
Seen hanging at shrines throughout Japan, ema plaques transform hopes for love, health and success into offerings to the gods. Here’s how to write one, where to find memorable designs and how to re...
Festivals and Things To Do in Kyoto in January
Looking for events in Kyoto for January? This guide highlights New Year rituals, Heian-period games, shrine festivals and flea markets.
Radishes, Rhizomes, and More: Japan’s Vegetable Shrines and Temples, Part 1
From Japanese ginger to garlic, these shrines and temples are where you can give thanks for the marvelous plants that make our food tasty.
Manju Buns: Japanese Confectionery that's Sweet - and Steamy
The buns known as manju have evolved from temple food into an icon of wagashi culture. This guide traces the sweet's origins, its regional forms and its enduring place in Japanese culture.
Kyoto Year-End Dining Guide: Restaurants Open Over the New Year
Finding an open restaurant in Japan during the New Year holiday can feel like spotting a rare Pokemon. If you're looking for places to dine in Kyoto from Dec 31 to Jan 2, here are tips and restaura...
Food of the Imo-rtals: Every Single Sweet Potato Shrine (and One Temple) in Japan
Boil 'em, mash 'em, stick 'em in a stew — learn about Japan's relationship with sweet potatoes and the history of the shrines that venerate them.
Ring in the New Year in Kyoto: The Temple Bells of Joya no Kane
A New Year’s Eve guide to joya no kane in Kyoto and where visitors can line up to ring the temple bell.
Send Noods: Shrines and Temples for Your Favourite Japanese Noodles
Here are places in Japan to thank the gods for the noods that keep you going.
December Kyoto Events: Festivals and Celebrations
From the kaomise performances at Minamiza to the fiery Shinto ritual of okera mairi, December events in Kyoto offer a front-row seat to more than a thousand years of Japanese culture.
Oodles of Unagi: Japan’s Eel Shrines and Temples
Here are way moray shrines celebrating eels than you ever thought possible.
Traditional Japanese Partitions: Slide Open The World of Fusuma
These Japanese room dividers, found from castles to Zen temples, not only shape space but also hold powerful painted stories.
Of Citruses and Sweets: Tajimamori, A God for Candyfreaks
Introducing the god of sweets — Tajimamori-no-mikoto, the semi-legendary figure who brought the first fruit of immortality back to Japan — and the shrines that venerate him. Required visiting for a...
Baby Your Japanese Floor: How to Clean Tatami Mats
A guide to picking the right type of tatami as well as preventing mold and mites and removing stains.
What You Need to Know About Tatami Mats Before Buying
The range of tatami options available can feel overwhelming but this guide will help you find the mats that fit your home, habits and humidity levels.
It’s a Dog’s Life: Japan’s Top Dog Shrines and Temples, Part 4
From legendary hounds to true tales of modern-day dogs, these shrines and temples tell the stories of good dogs and the canine deeds that left a mark in the hearts of people around them.
Floor Story: A History of Tatami - and How to Arrange Those Mats
Tatami mats went from aristocratic bedding to the signature floor of Japanese interiors. Here's a look at tatami from the ground up: its history, auspicious layouts and the arrangements that are be...
It’s a Dog’s Life: Japan’s Top Dog Shrines and Temples, Part 3
From a fierce hunting dog to one that famously understood human speech, the third part of this series celebrates the shrines and temples associated with famous historical figures and their canine c...
What to Do with Japanese Persimmons: Shiraae Tofu Salad Recipe and More
A guide to Japanese persimmons, covering major varieties and methods for preparing them, along with a persimmon shiraae tofu recipe that highlights seasonal washoku flavors.
It’s a Dog’s Life: Japan’s Top Dog Shrines and Temples, Part 2
Part two of this dog-themed series takes us to shrines and temples in Central Japan, featuring a number of faithful doggos. Don't forget to say a prayer for these legends.
It’s a Dog’s Life: Japan’s Top Dog Shrines, Part 1
The first of a four-part series, these shrines and temples in Japan celebrate and venerate our canine companions. It's true what they say – every dog will indeed have its day.
Autumn in a Bite: Japanese Persimmons and the Season of Nostalgia
The vivid orange of kaki signals autumn’s arrival. Here's an introduction to the history and health benefits of Japanese persimmons.
A Bento Box for Your Bullet Train? A Guide to Ekiben at Kyoto Station
For a tasty, relaxed introduction to Kyoto cuisine, start with the ekiben at Kyoto Station. Here are four picks that turn train boxed meals into a sampling of Kyoto’s culinary heritage.
Choosing Sake Vessels: Enjoy Sake More With the Right Cup
Shape and material change the aroma and flavor of sake. This guide introduces sake vessels from ochoko to tokkuri and offers tips on matching them with different kinds of sake.