spring
Japan could be said to be a country of yokai (ghosts). Often called goblins in English, yokai are much more varied than that poor translation suggests. These folklore beasties, like European fairies, can be scary, weird and benign. We often think of them in the summer when scary Obon season comes, but they’re present for all seasons, including the fall harvest season and winter’s dead cold. In this article, we’ll be talking about the Japanese yokai of spring. Spring yokai tends towards natural phenomena, like plants and animals. After all, spring is when the natural world comes alive again aft...
GaijinPot
A lot is made about Japan’s “four seasons.” But whether you think that’s special or not, one thing you absolutely must do in Japan is try seasonal food. Known as shun, this untranslatable word reflects the idea that food has the best time to be eaten. This is true for things like fruits and vegetables but also seafood. What does it mean for fish to be in season? Well, ignoring farm-raised varieties, different species pass close to Japan at different times of the year, so that’s when fishermen head out to catch them. Certain fish may also taste better during certain seasons. With that in mind, ...
GaijinPot
The start of spring in Japan is all about the sakura, or cherry blossoms. With everything from hanami (cherry blossom viewing) parties to cherry blossom-flavored drinks, it’s hard to escape the sakura mania during March and April. Unfortunately, as you might have already guessed, COVID-19 has thrown us a curveball this spring. It is still not recommended people gather in large crowds. While we can’t tell you whether or not to disregard social distancing, experts are already warning of a third wave of the coronavirus that could hit Tokyo. Perhaps the best way to avoid the crowds during hanami s...
GaijinPot
Doesn’t everyone love hanami (flower viewing)? Around spring, sakura (cherry blossoms) are blooming in Tokyo and much of Japan’s lower half. Unfortunately, due to the coronavirus, it isn’t recommended that you and your friend gather on a blue tarp and drink under the pretty pinktrees this year. Still, there is always next year for hanami. That’s part of the beauty of cherry blossoms. Their very existence is temporary. But how did flower viewing even start? It seems as normal a thing to do in Japan as reading manga or renting a goat. Let’s take a quick look at the history and culture surroundin...
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