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September 16th, respect for the elderly day in Japan

September 16th, respect for the elderly day in Japan

Posted on Sep 16, 2013 in History of Japan, Japanese customs, Stories about Japan |

Japan has many strange holidays. In the past there were religious holidays, but the government decided that religious days should not be celebrated as public holidays unlike all the other religions in the world like for instance the Christians who celebrate chrismas and other major Christian holidays, or the Jewish people who celebrate passover or Muslims who celebrate their sugar feast at the end of the fasting period. I could go on and on. Many countries celebrate their...

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Surfing in Tokyo

Surfing in Tokyo

Posted on Sep 14, 2013 in Daytrips, Japanese customs, Must see, Things to do |

The perfect wave is closer than you think For many Tokyoites, surfing is synonymous with just one place: Shonan. The coastal area in Kanagawa Prefecture is generally regarded as the birthplace of Japanese surf culture, and it teems with boarders during the summer months – never mind that the swell is often pretty pathetic. Local schools include Easy Surf in Shichirigahama (beginner classes ¥5,000; private lessons ¥15,000), and Shonan Surfin School, which has shops...

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Japanese superstitions explained

Japanese superstitions explained

Posted on Sep 14, 2013 in History of Japan, Japanese customs, Stories about Japan |

  All of us have our own little habits and quirks that defy common sense. It’s human nature to harbor even just a little superstitious tendency now and then, whether it be not watching a pot boil or leaving a shower curtain open. Even on a larger scale, entire cultures have their own customs that are performed with very few people asking why. For example, why does a bride throw her flowers at a crowd of women? Why was a stork chosen as the bird we trust to deliver our...

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In Japan, Young Women Rent Out Their Legs As Ad Space

In Japan, Young Women Rent Out Their Legs As Ad Space

Posted on Sep 13, 2013 in Japanese customs, Japanese technology, Must see, News, Stories about Japan |

A good way to get your advertisement plenty of exposure is to place it where there will be a lot of people looking. With that in mind, Japanese advertising company Absolute Territory PR is offering a unique service that gives brands a ‘leg up’ on their competitors—by renting the legs of young Japanese girls as ad space. Using the notion that ‘sex sells’, this clever marketing strategy was reported to be a big hit with businesses across Tokyo—especially to Japanese men....

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Tokyo trend: Ear-cleaning parlors

Tokyo trend: Ear-cleaning parlors

Posted on Sep 13, 2013 in History of Japan, Japanese customs, Japanese technology, Must see, News, Stories about Japan, Things to do |

When the Japanese government allowed ear cleaning salons to operate unlicensed, a new business model took off. The ancient Egyptians, who brought us paper, locks, clocks and eye makeup, were also ahead of the curve in earwax removal, creating concoctions that included Cypress tree oil, pig fat, cat blood or male bat’s head. Several millennia later, Japan has made another evolutionary leap in ear care. Five years ago, when the Japanese government announced that ear cleaning...

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Want to get into shape? Try the sumo work-out!

Want to get into shape? Try the sumo work-out!

Posted on Sep 13, 2013 in History of Japan, Japanese customs, Stories about Japan, Things to do |

Sumo’s incredible hulks might not be obvious role models for a fitness regime, but behind the flab are athletes of awesome strength, stamina and reflexes. Follow their exercises, skip their diets, and you might see some big benefits. The sport’s governing body, the Nihon Sumo Kyokai, has created an exercise programme that draws on the sport’s signature thrusts, stomps and stretches. Regular practice, they say, will relax your muscles, improve circulation, strengthen the...

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