Culture and Tradition

Every year in Autumn the Nishikawa Ryu, one of the most influential traditional dance schools in Japan puts on a colorful show called the Nagoya Odori (Nagoya Dance). At the Nagoya Odori, you can enjoy the impressive visual art and impeccable choreography of classic Japanese dances, and the unforgettable stories of traditional Japanese tales in...Read More

There is a lot of misunderstanding as to what exactly a Geisha is, and although the image of Geisha may have been able to shed a lot of these misconceptions over time, many may still associate Geisha with the idea of “comfort women”, which they most certainly are not. We’d like to guide you through...Read More

For over 1300 years, local fishermen in Japan have used an unusual technique to catch river fish during the summer. Japanese cormorants called U in Japanese are trained for up to three years by their owners to help them catch fish. Known as Ukai in Japanese, cormorant fishing is a unique traditional method that is...Read More

Sumo wrestling is an integral part of Japan’s culture and has been practiced in one form or another for around 2000 years. In part 1 we shared everything you need to know if you are new to Sumo, and want to attend the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament. If you haven’t read it yet, follow this...Read More

When people think about Japan, one of the first things they think of is Sumo Wrestling. So when people plan their trips to Japan, they often want to see a Sumo tournament. But what most people don’t realize is that getting to see a Sumo tournament or even a morning Sumo practice is normally quite...Read More

The Japanese have a peculiar relationship to religion. Most people identify as both Shinto and Buddhist, or nothing at all. Still following rituals of either, depending on the occasion. Weddings are often Shinto, burials almost exclusively Buddhist. They also like to sprinkle in Christian holidays for good measure. Because of this very inclusive mindset, anyone...Read More

Japanese kites are considered some of the most spectacular in the world, appreciated both for their aesthetic value, and as traditional toys. They have many different styles and types of kites, and each region of Japan has its own distinctive shape. Here we have some cicada kites. Thankfully they don’t make the same noise! In...Read More

As most cosplayers know, any place can be suitable for a photo shoot. I have taken pictures in abandoned buildings, streets, parks, and even in a pool; any area that fits my Cosplay. Why not take advantage of your trip to Japan to take some fantastic Cosplay pictures in and around Nagoya?  As someone who...Read More

Located near Nagoya is a small city called Okazaki. People from Okazaki are very proud of two things. The first is that the unifier of Japan, Tokugawa Ieyasu, was born in Okazaki in 1543. The second, even older, thing they are proud of is that Okazaki is the birthplace of Hatcho Miso!  Hatcho Miso is...Read More

For regular people taking tea is just heating water and putting some tea into a cup. But for Japanese people, this simply isn’t enough.  A higher reason is needed and the simple process of tea in a cup is made rather more complicated by adding ceremony, rules, and a whole procedure to the otherwise simple...Read More