Today is Japan’s “Chushu no Meigetsu,” the harvest moon. For centuries, people in Japan have gathered to admire the beauty of the autumn moon in a tradition called otsukimi, or moon viewing. What Is the Harvest Moon? The “harvest moon” refers to the moon seen on the 15th night of the eighth month in the […]
For serviced apartments with a large international resident base, offering select residents a private Japanese cultural experience is one of the most effective ways to elevate the resident experience. A matcha tea ceremony experience is especially popular among corporate facilities, as it offers an intimate, small-group setting that feels genuinely exclusive. Why Serviced Apartments Choose […]
“We’d love to include a tea ceremony experience, but we just don’t have the time.” That’s exactly what our 30-minute on-site tea ceremony experience was designed for. Our instructor brings a full set of tea ceremony tools directly to your location — a hotel meeting room, a corporate reception area, or an event space. The […]
The other day, I took part in a Noh experience program at a Noh theater. I got to try on an actual Noh mask, learn how to wear the traditional costume, and even practice a bit of chanting (utai). It was a rare chance to feel a little closer to the world of Noh. And […]
Experiencing Noh Theatre｜Trying On a Noh Mask, Kimono, and Chanting I recently took part in a Noh theatre experience program held at a Noh stage in Tokyo. I work with tea ceremony on a daily basis, so I have always been interested in traditional Japanese culture. But when it came to Noh, there was so […]
We’ve lost even the time to do nothing Open your phone, and a constant stream of social media, news, emails, and work messages flows in. A few minutes waiting for a train, a few seconds waiting for an elevator. Don’t you find your hand reaching for your phone the moment you have a free moment? […]
Visiting Sengakuji Temple After walking through the Takanawa area, I visited Sengakuji Temple. It’s well known as the resting place of the 47 Ronin, but what I found there was more than history. It was a living cultural experience. The Original Meaning of Goshuin Today, goshuin (temple seals) are often collected as souvenirs when visiting […]
Visiting Takanawa Gateway I recently visited Takanawa Gateway, one of Tokyo’s newest train stations, and had the chance to watch a kabuki performance nearby. At first glance, this area feels futuristic and new. But beneath the surface, this land holds memories of Edo-era travelers and Japan’s journey into modernization. Takanawa Was Once the Gateway to […]
When Is Doyo no Ushi no Hi in 2026? In 2026, the summer Doyo no Ushi no Hi falls on Sunday, July 26th. This year there is only one Ushi no Hi during the summer Doyo period (roughly July 20 to August 6), with no second “Ni no Ushi” day. What Is Doyo no Ushi […]
Calligraphy & Origami Workshop for Vietnamese Students in Tokyo On June 19, 2026, we had the pleasure of hosting a calligraphy and origami workshop for 26 students from Vietnam at a language school in Tokyo. For calligraphy, we prepared a personalized kanji template for each student — selecting characters that matched the sounds of their […]
