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Cherry blossoms are the go-to symbol for Japan. They create a beautiful display of petals that come in white and pink. Locals and visitors alike love to watch them changing the landscape from barren trees in the winter to luscious clouds of flowers adding color to the landscape, which is why they’ve inspired so much throughout Japan's history. A time where people can look forward to the departure of snow and the cold with cherry blossoms in bloom, there are a lot of great things happening. There are lots of beautiful hanami (cherry blossom viewing parties) taking place across the...

The 10 Most Beautiful Places In Kyoto - A Tourist's Dream Come True  Kyoto, Japan is a city that is surrounded with temples, shrines and castles. From these 10 most beautiful places in Kyoto, you will have the opportunity to experience the beauty of different eras. Kyoto was once the capital of Japan for more than 1,000 years. It was founded in 794 AD and its name means "Capital of Peace." In Kyoto, you can find old world charm with a modern flare as it preserves its heritage while also embracing new trends. It has been ranked as one of...

What are Tatami Mats? Tatami mats are the traditional rice straw mats that originated in Asia and have been used most recognizably in Japan. They are made by weaving long thin strips of rice straw, then cutting them into pieces for final use. Tatami mats can be placed on the floor to sleep on, to sit on for meditation or as a bed to sleep on during warmer weather. Tatami mats were originally used to cover the dirt floor in the traditional Japanese residences. It was not until 1644 when they began using tatami mats as seating surfaces and sleeping...

The History of Onigiri for Delicious Japanese Cuisine Onigiris are traditional Japanese fast food that's made of rice. The onigiri is then wrapped in seaweed and often filled with fish, meat, vegetables or anything else you might think of. Traditionally, the onigiri was carried by travelers as food that could be quickly eaten on the go. In an 11th-century diary written by Murasaki Shikibu Nikki, there is mention of people eating rice balls. At that time, onigiri were not called onigiri, but tonjiki instead, and often eaten during outdoor picnic lunches. Most people attribute the origins of onigiri to the...

What is a Japanese Daruma Doll? Have you ever heard about the traditional Daruma doll from Japan? You may only know of Daruma as the Japanese dolls with big eyes. This adorable-looking figure has a deeper meaning, in that it aspires for perseverance and grants good fortune. Most foreigners are not even aware of its origins or what hides under its wacky appearance. A Daruma doll is a traditional Japanese good luck charm that is used to help stay motivated on a goal. A Japanese legend states that the doll will lose its powers of good luck if it is...