Traditions & Festivals
This "Golden Week" holiday celebrates kids, especially boys.
What is "Children's Day"?
These warriors were the military nobility of Japan.
Who are "samurai"?
This art form involves folding paper into decorative shapes and figures.
What is "origami"?
This Japanese messaging app features a green speech bubble and is commonly used for communication in Japan.
What is “LINE”?
This mythical creature, often portrayed as a raccoon dog with shape-shifting abilities, is a popular figure in Japanese folktales.
What is a “tanuki”?
This popular event involves people viewing and appreciating cherry blossoms.
What is "hanami"?
This ninja weapon is a star-shaped throwing blade.
What is a "shuriken"?
This short-form of Japanese poetry consists of three lines.
What is "haiku"?
This district in Tokyo is known for its fashion and youth culture.
“What is Harajuku”?
These forest spirits from Japanese folklore are known for their mischievous behavior and are featured in a Studio Ghibli film.
What are "Totoro" or "Kodama"?
This winter festival in Sapporo is famous for its ice and snow sculptures.
What is the "Sapporo Snow Festival"?
The "way of the warrior" is also known as this.
What is "Bushido"?
The Japanese art of flower arrangement.
What is "Ikebana"?
Introduced in 1964, this popular method of payment in Japan is a cashless card system used for most public transport and even in convenience stores.
What is “Suica”?
This legendary creature, often depicted as a large, sea-dwelling dragon, holds a significant place in Japanese mythology.
What is a "ryu"?
This festival is celebrated by people dancing in the streets to welcome ancestral spirits.
What is "Obon"?
This period of Japanese history, from the 15th to 17th century, was marked by constant civil war.
What is the "Warring States" or "Sengoku" period?
This traditional form of Japanese theater features male actors in elaborate makeup.
What is "Kabuki"?
This loyal dog waited for his deceased owner every day at Shibuya Station in Tokyo, becoming a symbol of loyalty and fidelity in Japan.
Who is “Hachiko”?
This long-nosed creature is a type of mountain goblin found in Japanese folklore.
What is a "Tengu"?
This holiday celebrated every 3rd of February involves people attempting to ward off evil spirits with beans.
What is "Setsubun"?
This famous samurai was known as the "One-Eyed Dragon."
Who is "Date Masamune"?
This traditional tea ceremony emphasizes harmony, respect, purity, and tranquility.
What is "Chanoyu" or the "Way of Tea"?
This term, which gained international attention in the 2010s, refers to the Japanese concept of finding beauty in imperfections, and embracing the natural cycle of growth and decay.
What is “Wabi-sabi”?
This three-legged crow is a symbol of the sun in Japanese mythology.
What is "Yatagarasu"?