Written by: Ota-san (Tammy), Samurai Tours Japan Staff We have information technology nowadays to find and watch what our prospective enemies. However, hundreds of years ago, the samurai did not have these kinds of technology. Instead of using high technology, they used ninjas. When they were fighting, the feudal lords needed to know the strategy...Read More
In search of #japanagram accounts? We have all been scrolling more lately in our spare time. You’ll often find me checking my favorite Instagram accounts of locals in Japan. It’s my way of virtually immersing myself into the Japanese everyday life. My preference is to be taken on a stroll through the city or neighborhoods...Read More
Sumo wrestling is Japan’s national sport. It originated centuries ago as entertainment for the religious deities of the Shinto religion. Many of the original rituals of the performances are still in practice at Sumo matches today. In accordance with tradition, only men can wrestle professionally. The rules of the matches are very straightforward; the first...Read More
Tonkatsu (豚カツ, とんかつ or トンカツ) consists of a breaded, deep-fried pork cutlet. The pig’s back center is cut into 2-3 centimeter thick slices, coated with panko (bread crumbs), fried in oil, and then served with Japanese Worcestershire sauce, rice, and vegetable salad (usually chopped cabbage). The two main types are fillet and roast or loin....Read More
Rainy season in Japan (Tsuyu 梅雨) has arrived in Japan. Tsuyu directly translates to “plum rain” because the rainy season coincides with the ripening of plums. Tsuyu is very much a welcomed season in Japan as it is also when the rice fields flood, crucial for harvesting good rice, one of Japan’s essential foods. Because...Read More
Wabi-sabi (侘寂) is an aesthetic philosophy whose roots are based in Zen Buddhism, particularly the tea ceremony, in which masters prized bowls that were handmade and irregularly shaped, with uneven glaze, cracks, and beauty in their imperfection. Wabi-sabi has influenced many Japanese arts such as ikebana (flower arrangement), gardens, haiku, and pottery. Loosely translated, “Wabi”...Read More
Hello from Japan! It’s Tammy (Ota-san) from Kyoto Office. I have been working as a regional manager for Samurai Tours for 15 years. When Mike, the owner of Samurai Tours, started taking guests around Japan 17 years ago, he did everything from guiding to accounting. Now 10 Japanese staffers and 100 local guides work for...Read More
Sashiko, meaning “little stabs”, is a perfect way to describe this needlework. This embroidery technique is functional, acting to reinforce torn fabric or make repairs, but also elegant. Traditionally the embroidery design is a geometric pattern with white cotton thread on indigo blue fabric. Sashiko embroidery has been used in Japan for centuries, developed in...Read More
Cosplay in Japan is very popular and quite a big business, with many shops, events, and even conventions dedicated to the fun pastime. “Cosplay” is a contraction of costume and play and consists of people dressing up as characters and acting out scenes. These characters are from books, movies, video games, TV shows, and especially...Read More
