The Seasons of Japan There are four distinct seasons in Japan, and they are each a celebrated occasion. Spring, summer, fall, winter in Japanese is haru, natsu, aki, fuyu (or shun-ka-shū-tō). Each season...
What Does Kakigori Mean? Ah, kakigori, Japanese shaved ice of many colors. So, what is it, exactly? In a nutshell: a little mountain of fine shavings light as fresh snow,...
The Japanese Legend of Momotarō, Peach Boy Japanese peaches are literally the stuff of legends. Momotarō, loosely translated as Peach Boy, is a folktale that goes back at least four...
It’s often said that chocolate’s popularity in Japan stems from American soldiers handing out chocolate bars to Japanese children after World War Two, but did you know that Japan’s first...
What is a Mikoshi in Japanese Culture? Have you ever seen a picture of an ornate carriage with royalty or royal cargo inside that is transported on people’s shoulders? Many...
What are Tanuki? The tanuki is an animal known as a racoon dog that is native to Japan. It has thick fur, a bushy tail, a mask of white around...
Kiki’s Delivery Service is a 1989 Studio Ghibli animated film directed by Hayao Miyazaki. It is about a teenager named Kiki who is living alone for the first time while...
One of the fun things to try in Japan is to walk around the city wearing Japanese traditional clothes. Seeing people wear kimono at a tea ceremony and spending a...
Here at Bokksu, we love tea. We just can't get enough. We probably drink five tea bags a day per capita. Some might say that's a problem, but not us!...
What is Mochi? Mochi is having an international moment, with retailers carrying mochi ice cream, and small shops popping up selling this Japanese treat around the world. But what is...
Wait, only women give chocolate? Some of us love Valentine's Day and many of us dread it, regardless of relationship status. It usually calls for a combination of long-term planning...
Japanese legend and folklore is full of a wide variety of ghosts, demons, and monsters—ranging from innocent and mischievous to menacing and potentially deadly. With all of these creatures popping...