Blog

  • A red and white Japanese snack box Naniwa Box in front of a red background

    An Intro to Naniwa Box: Japan's Latest Snack Box

    Hey! Did you know that we launched a monthly Japanese snack box? That’s right—along with our monthly ramen box, Nakama Noodles, we now have a box for all of those folks craving snacks from Japan! That box is Naniwa Box!...

  • Mountain Day: Celebrating Japan's Famous Peaks

    Mountain Day: Celebrating Japan's Famous Peaks

    Mountain Day is a national holiday celebrated in August 11 in appreciation of Japan's beautiful mountains. Learn about Japan's mountain ascetic hermits, Yamabushi, Mount Fuji travel tips, and why these rugged peaks are so treasured among Japanese.
  • Awa Odori: Japan's Largest and Loudest Festival

    Awa Odori: Japan's Largest and Loudest Festival

    Learn about one of Japan's biggest matsuri ever, Awa Odori! Held in Tokushima prefecture, this dance festival invites members of the public to join in!
  • Young men work together to paddle a river boat at the Tenjin Matsuri

    Tenjin Matsuri: Tradition Meets Osaka Flair

    Did you know that two of Japan’s big three festivals happen in July? The first is Kyoto’s Gion Matsuri, which we’ve already discussed. The second is one near and dear to our hearts, the Osaka Tenjin Matsuri.
  • A large group of men carry a golden portable shrine for Gion Matsuri

    Gion Matsuri: Japanese Culture Meets Spectacle

    Japan has tons of amazing festivals, but three stand out as the country’s “Big 3 Festivals”. One stands out as a Kyoto original festival that attracts tons of people every year and has its own regional variations. That festival is Gion Matsuri, and we’ve put together an in-depth guide this amazing, culture-filled festival.

  • Two women hang their wishes on Tanabata wish trees

    Tanabata Festival: A Day of Lovers and Wishes

    Japan has a thing for festivals and holidays where the month and day line up. We enjoy Dolls Day on March 3 as well as Children’s Day on May 5. July 7 also has a fun festival here that centers around star-crossed lovers and wishes and dates back almost 1300 years.