Jizo Bosatsu at Yata Temple in Nara. Looks like kids are badgering their parent for something (^_^) Copyright(C) Miki   →Miki’s twitter← (English is OK)   This is JAPAN Style!…

Carrying hard candies is a common habit of ladies over forty in the Kansai region (south-western half of Japan, including Osaka). The Japanese word for hard candy is “ame,” but…

Today, I am going to show you sparkling wines that my friend owns. It may not easy to picture the Japanese having sparkling wine but there are actually  quite a…

  According to a survey of male white-collar workers in their mid-twenties to mid-fifties (=”salarymen” in Japanese), monthly pocket money now averages ¥36500 (US$450). This amount is ¥4100 (US$50) lower…

In the past few years, non-fried doughnuts such as steamed, baked, and uncooked doughnuts have been popular among young women.   Mushi (Steamed) Doughnuts A major doughnut franchise Mister Donut…

Shrine maidens were doing summer-cleaning at Omiwa Shrine. The sticks with paper streamers are not dusters but onusa, wands used in Shinto rituals. Copyright(C) Miki   →Miki’s twitter← (English is…

  In Edo period (1603-1868), there were no ready-made kimono; therefore, when they want new kimono, they went to kimono shop and bought kimono materials, and then placed orders with…

Today’s story-teller is screenwriter Kumiko Tabuchi, who wrote “Atsuhime” which was aired on NHK. The story is based on her interview. First, answering to the question when she decided to…

Rice bran has been used for skin care since long ago in Japan, as it has vitamin B1, B2, E which help to brighten, smoothen and moisten skin. In this…

  Otaku-idols, Sweets-idols, and Korean idols… Now Japan is full of many kinds of idols. And this time, a new-type of idol has been born thanks to YouTube. Her stage…

  This is a Japanese traditional hand towel “TENUGUI”. They are used mainly for hand towel, but you can also use them for many other purposes according to your wishes….