Despite its proximity to China, there are only a few Chinatowns in the whole of Japan. One of the largest and most popular is the one in Kobe, called Nankin-machi. This Chinatown is located between three gates: Chang’an Gate to East, Xi’an Gate to West, and Nanluo Gate to South. As soon as you pass […]
Archives
Celebrating New Year in Kobe Chinatown
January 29, 2018 by Justin HanusWorld Igloo Building Championship at Osorakan Snow Park
January 29, 2018 by Matt ManghamWithout a little advance planning, midwinter in Japan can seem bleak, especially in the city. Which is precisely why it makes good sense to get out of town. Whether you head for an onsen to drive out the chill, or light out for a winter festival, it’s a good time of year to see what […]
Valentines Day and White Day in Japan
January 22, 2018 by Ray ProperValentine’s Day in Japan – February 14 In Japan, the “Craziness of Valentine’s Day” falls mainly on the women. Unlike most countries of which I am aware, in Japan the tradition calls for women to give chocolate to the person they’re dating, want to date, are currently stalking, or is their father…sometimes brothers, and to add insult […]
Washing Clothes in Cold Water!
January 22, 2018 by Ray ProperPerhaps one of the first things you realized about domestic life in Japan was that everything you knew about laundry had suddenly changed. In Japan the washing machines are much smaller, and use only cold water. Yikes! To really blow your mind… Japanese folks also do not generally separate colours… maybe the first few times, […]
Setsubun Festivals in Hiroshima
January 21, 2018 by Matt ManghamEach year, on the third of February, harried fathers across Japan put on paper demon masks and are pelted with roasted soybeans by their children, who cry “Oni wa soto, Fuku wa uchi!” (Demon out, Fortune in!) until dad flees out the front door into the night air. Or turns on his children to teach […]
Socialize