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(こどもの日 / 端午の節句) Children’s Day
May 5th is Children’s Day, one of Japan’s national holidays. Originally known as 端午の節句(Tango no Sekku) (Boys’ Festival), it’s a day to celebrate and wish for the healthy growth and happiness of boys. (In contrast, Girls’ Festival is celebrated on March 3rd.) On this day, families enjoy traditional customs while thinking about their children’s well-being. Around this…
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Why Japan’s School Year Starts in Spring
In Japan, both the academic and fiscal years begin in April. Graduation ceremonies are held in March, and in early April, you may have noticed children and their parents attending entrance ceremonies for new schools. You might have also seen school gates decorated with flowers and banners reading “卒業式 (Graduation Ceremony)” or “入学式(Entrance Ceremony).” This…
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ひな祭り(Hinamatsuri)
Hinamatsuri is a festival held every year on March 3rd to celebrate and wish for the growth and happiness of girls. (Boys’ Day is on May 5th!) During Hinamatsuri, families who has girls display Hina dolls. Traditional sets can be as large as seven tiers, reaching up to 150cm(5 feet) in height. However, due to…
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Valentine’s Day in Japan
February 14th is Valentine’s Day. There are various theories about its origins, but in Japan, Valentine’s Day has developed into a unique tradition. Right now, you’ve probably noticed that chocolate is prominently displayed everywhere. In Japan, Valentine’s Day is a day when women give chocolate to men they have romantic feelings for. Most of the…
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節分 (Setsubun )
In Japan, the day before “立春(Risshun)” (the beginning of spring) is called “Setsubun.” Since “Risshun” usually falls around February 4th, so February 3rd is typically the day for Setsubun. However, in 2025, something quite rare will happen—Risshun will fall on February 3rd, which means Setsubun will be celebrated on February 2nd instead. Traditionally, according to…
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Grocery store items in Japanese supermarkets
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How to cook Tempura
天ぷら(Tempura) Very Very simple way to make “Tempura” with “コツのいらない天ぷら粉”. Normally, frying tempura can be quite challenging, but with this “コツのいらない天ぷら粉,” you can create crispy tempura by simply mixing and frying ! No need for cold water, no need for eggs, and no special techniques required—just delicious tempura made easy. Please give it a try!…
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Grocery store items in Japanese supermarkets
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How to cook Osaka-style Okonomiyaki
お好み焼き (Osaka-style Okonomiyaki) ①Making from flour Ingredients(2 piecies) : [A] Mixture: A recipe for cooking ‘Okonomi-yaki 1. Chop some sliced pork in 15cm length and cabbage leaves in 2cm square. 2. Dissolve Dashi powder in water to make a soup stock. Put all the mixture of [A] into the stock and mix them well.…
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Grocery store items in Japanese supermarkets
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(ほん)だし (Bonito soup stock)
Dashi is a fundamental soup stock essential in Japanese cuisine, used to add umami (savory taste) to dishes. It is primarily made from kombu (kelp) and katsuobushi (dried bonito flakes), and enhances the flavors of various dishes such as miso soup, simmered foods, and noodles. While you can make dashi soup from scratch, it can be…
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Grocery store items in Japanese supermarkets
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小麦粉 (Flour)
In Japanese supermarkets, flour is generally divided into two main types: Hakurikiko (薄力粉) – Known as weak flour or cake flour, it has a lower gluten content and is typically used for light, delicate textures like cakes, cookies, and tempura. Kyourikiko (強力粉) – Called strong flour or bread flour, it has a higher gluten content and is perfect for creating firmer textures in…
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Grocery store items in Japanese supermarkets
