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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...

There’s nothing better than getting a monthly Japanese snack subscription box in the mail, except maybe if that monthly snack box were made of handcrafted wood! Bokksu is proud to...

Tsukimi or Otsukimi, is a traditional Japanese holiday celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month. The name literally translates to “moon-viewing” and falls on the night of...

Have you heard of “Inari” Shrines? Even if you haven’t, chances are you’ve seen photos of their iconic gateways. Thousands of Buddhist and Shinto Inari shrines can be found across...

Samurai are icons of Japanese culture—inspiring movies, manga, and myths—but who were they really? Dating back to the feudal era, samurai first began as armed imperial guards, but would later...

Japan has a rich history of castles, and the classic Japanese castles that we know today date back to as early as the Sengoku period (1467-1603). Japanese castles were originally...

Wagashi is a broad term used to describe traditional Japanese confections that are typically enjoyed with green tea. Wagashi translates to “Japanese sweets” or “Japanese snacks” and was coined during...

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...