Culture

Does Japan Celebrate Thanksgiving? Understanding Japan’s View on the Holiday and Its Unique Seasonal Traditions

Thanksgiving is widely known as a major holiday in the United States and Canada, celebrated with family gatherings, feas...
CultureEvent / Festival
Kamakura

Hōkoku-ji: Kamakura’s Serene Bamboo Temple Hidden in the Hills

Located on the quieter eastern side of Kamakura, Hōkoku-ji—often called the “Bamboo Temple”—is one of the city’s most pe...
KamakuraTemple / Shrine
Culture

How Japan Welcomes the New Year: Traditions, Spirit, and Celebration

In Japan, the transition from one year to the next—known as toshikoshi—is one of the most significant cultural moments o...
CultureDecemberSeasonWinter