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When you visit Japan, you'll likely find yourself using chopsticks more frequently. While it might seem challenging enough just to get the hang of using chopsticks, there are also some important etiquette rules to be aware of. By learning these rules in advance, you can ensure a more enjoyable and respectful meal. Here are 12 common mistakes to avoid when using chopsticks in Japan. Common Mistakes to Avoid Pointing with Chopsticks (指し箸) Pointing at people or objects with chopsticks is considered rude in Japan. Always avoid using chopsticks to gesture. Sticking Chopsticks Upright in Food (立て箸) This is a significant taboo because it resembles a funeral ritual where chopsticks are stuck upright in rice. Always place chopsticks parallel to the table when not in use. Small children tend to do this, but as they grow, they are corrected by adults and learn not to do it. Passing Food with Chopsticks (箸渡し) Passing food directly from chopsticks to chopsticks is another funeral-related taboo. Use serving utensils to transfer food instead. You should not pass food from one person to another using chopsticks. Waving Chopsticks in the Air (迷い箸) Waving chopsticks around while deciding what to eat is seen as impolite. Decide what to eat before picking up your chopsticks. Spearing Food with Chopsticks (刺し箸) Spearing food with chopsticks is considered bad manners. Chopsticks are meant to pick up food, not stab it. Since small children cannot use chopsticks skillfully, it is somewhat tolerated if they point at food with chopsticks, but they should be careful not ...

When people outside Japan hear "mochi," they often think of the popular mochi ice cream—sweet, chewy, and filled with delicious flavors. However, this beloved dessert is only the tip of the iceberg. Mochi (餅) is a traditional Japanese food with a rich variety of forms and flavors. Varieties and Significance of Mochi LOTTE Mochi comes in many shapes, sizes, and flavors, each with its own unique characteristics. From plain mochi to sweet-filled daifuku, and small round dango, the diversity of mochi is impressive. Each variety of mochi has its own unique taste and varies greatly by region. While ice cream wrapped in a soft shell can be considered a type of mochi, Japanese people do not refer to it as "mochi." In Japan, a particularly famous product is "Yukimi Daifuku," which is primarily referred to by its product name. You can find Yukimi Daifuku in supermarkets and convenience stores, so be sure to give it a try! Plain mochi (餅/切り餅) Plain mochi (餅/切り餅) Plain mochi (餅/切り餅) Oshiruko (お汁粉) Ozoni (お雑煮) Plain "mochi," or "kiri mochi," is the simplest form of mochi and often the first thing that comes to mind when Japanese people think of mochi. Made from glutinous rice, it is traditionally prepared by steaming and pounding the rice until it becomes a sticky, cohesive mass. This plain mochi can be grilled, baked, or even boiled, and is often enjoyed with soy sauce or sweet toppings. Plain mochi is especially enjoyed by Japanese people during New Year celebrations, and it is a beloved food ...

Exciting news for travelers and residents alike! In February 2025, Japan officially announced its national holidays for 2026. Next year brings an extra day off, making a total of 17 national holidays compared to next year's 16. Notably, 2026 marks the return of Silver Week for the first time in 11 years, with a five-day holiday from September 19th to 23rd. For us in Japan, this is indeed delightful news as we get to enjoy more consecutive days of rest since none of the holidays fall on a Saturday. During long holidays, it tends to get quite crowded, and hotel prices also increase, so it is recommended to travel at a different time. Japan's 2026 Public Holidays DateDayJapaneseEnglish CharacterEnglish1 JanThu元日GanjitsuNew Year's Day12 JanMon成人の日Seijin-no-hiComing of Age Day11 FebWed建国記念の日Kenkoku-kinen-no-hiNational Foundation Day23 FebMon天皇誕生日Tennō-tanjō-biThe Emperor's Birthday20 MarFri春分の日Shunbun-no-hiVernal Equinox Day29 AprWed昭和の日Shōwa-no-hiShōwa Day3 MaySun憲法記念日Kenpō-kinen-biConstitution Memorial Day4 MayMonみどりの日Midori-no-hiGreenery Day5 MayTueこどもの日Kodomo-no-hiChildren's Day6 MayWed振替休日-Constitution Memorial Day Holiday20 JulMon海の日Umi-no-hiMarine Day11 AugTue山の日Yama-no-hiMountain Day21 SepMon敬老の日Keirō-no-hiRespect for the Aged Day22 SepTue休日-Bridge Holiday23 SepWed秋分の日Shubun-no-hiAutumnal Equinox Day12 OctMonスポーツの日Sports-no-hiHealth and Sports Day3 NovTue文化の日Bunka-no-hiCulture Day23 NovMon勤労感謝の日Kinrō-kansya-no-hiLabour Thanksgiving Day Rules for National Holiday in Japan When a National Holiday Falls on a Saturday In Japan, if a public holiday falls on a Saturday, there is no extra day off. Unfortunately, the holiday just stays on the Saturday, and people don’t get an additional day off during the week. When a National Holiday Falls on a Sunday If a public holiday falls on a Sunday, the next Monday becomes a holiday. If the next Monday is already a holiday, then the following weekday becomes ...

In Japan, public holidays for the upcoming year are typically announced around February of the previous year. Just like weekends, public holidays in Japan are also quite crowded, making popular destinations bustling with activity. Therefore, when planning your travel itinerary, keeping these public holidays in mind will help you avoid the rush and make the most out of your Japanese adventure. Japan's 2025 Public Holidays DateDayJapaneseEnglish CharacterEnglish1 JanWed元日GanjitsuNew Year's Day13 JanMon成人の日Seijin-no-hiComing of Age Day11 FebTue建国記念の日Kenkoku-kinen-no-hiNational Foundation Day23 FebSun天皇誕生日Tennō-tanjō-biThe Emperor's Birthday24 FebMon振替休日-The Emperor's Birthday Holiday20 MarThu春分の日Shunbun-no-hiVernal Equinox Day29 AprTue昭和の日Shōwa-no-hiShōwa Day3 MaySat憲法記念日Kenpō-kinen-biConstitution Memorial Day4 MaySunみどりの日Midori-no-hiGreenery Day5 MayMonこどもの日Kodomo-no-hiChildren's Day6 MayTue振替休日-Greenery Day Holiday21 JulMon海の日Umi-no-hiMarine Day11 AugMon山の日Yama-no-hiMountain Day15 SepMon敬老の日Keirō-no-hiRespect for the Aged Day23 SepTue秋分の日Shubun-no-hiAutumnal Equinox Day13 OctMonスポーツの日Sports-no-hiHealth and Sports Day3 NovMon文化の日Bunka-no-hiCulture Day23 NovSun勤労感謝の日Kinrō-kansya-no-hiLabour Thanksgiving Day24 NovMon振替休日-Labour Thanksgiving Day Holiday Rules for National Holiday in Japan When a National Holiday Falls on a Saturday In Japan, if a public holiday falls on a Saturday, there is no extra day off. Unfortunately, the holiday just stays on the Saturday, and people don’t get an additional day off during the week. When a National Holiday Falls on a Sunday If a public holiday falls on a Sunday, the next Monday becomes a holiday. If the next Monday is already a holiday, then the following weekday becomes the substitute holiday. This way, people can still enjoy a day off even if the holiday was on a non-working day. This substitute holiday is called "振替休日" (furikae kyūjitsu). Long Vacations in Japan Obon (お盆) Obon is a traditional Buddhist event held in mid-August. It is believed ...

Japan, an archipelago in East Asia, stretches approximately 3,100 kilometers from east to west and about 2,800 kilometers from north to south. It is composed of four major islands—Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu, and Shikoku—and numerous smaller islands. The distance between New Chitose Airport in Hokkaido, located in the north, and Naha Airport in Okinawa, located in the south, is about 2,200 kilometers, taking roughly four hours by plane. Japan is divided into 47 prefectures, which are often categorized into different regions, although there is no clear definition and various methods of regional division exist. In this article, we will summarize the different regional boundaries for reference when traveling. Two Regional Divisions There are many ways to divide Japan into two regions (e.g., the Itoigawa-Shizuoka Tectonic Line, electricity frequency, NTT, etc.). In this article, we will introduce the classification method presented by NHK. In reality, even Japanese people are not entirely sure where the precise boundary between Eastern Japan and Western Japan lies. We often make this distinction based on a general sense. JapaneseEnglish charactersEnglishPrefectures東日本（ひがしにほん）Higashi NihonEastern JapanHokkaido, Aomori, Iwate, Miyagi, Akita, Yamagata, Fukushima, Ibaraki, Tochigi, Gunma, Saitama, Chiba, Tokyo, Kanagawa, Niigata, Yamanashi西日本（にしにほん）Nishi NihonWestern JapanToyama, Ishikawa, Fukui, Nagano, Gifu, Shizuoka, Aichi, Mie, Shiga, Kyoto, Osaka, Hyogo, Nara, Wakayama, Tottori, Shimane, Okayama, Hiroshima, Yamaguchi, Tokushima, Kagawa, Ehime, Kochi, Fukuoka, Saga, Nagasaki, Kumamoto, Oita, Miyazaki, Kagoshima, Okinawa NHK (Nippon Hoso Kyokai) is Japan's public broadcasting organization. Four Regional Divisions This regional division is the one used by the Japan Meteorological Agency. Eastern Japan and Western Japan are also used in ...

When people around the world think of Japanese alcoholic beverages, they often think of "sake." However, the Japanese do not refer to their traditional rice wine as "sake." It's important to understand this distinction, as Japanese people may interpret the term "sake" in a different way. The Global Perception vs. The Japanese Meaning of "Sake" Globally, "sake" is synonymous with Japanese rice wine. It is enjoyed at Japanese restaurants worldwide and is often served warm in small cups. However, in Japan, the word "sake" (酒) is a general term for any alcoholic beverage. It includes everything from beer and wine to spirits and traditional rice wine. Therefore, Japanese people are more likely to think of various alcoholic drinks when they hear the term "sake," not just the rice wine known internationally. Nihonshu: The Traditional Japanese Rice Wine What most people outside Japan refer to as "sake" is actually called "nihonshu" (日本酒) in Japanese. Nihonshu, brewed from rice, water, yeast, and koji mold, holds a rich history and cultural significance in Japan. It is often used in ceremonies and celebrations, boasting a unique and delicate flavor profile. If "sake" is not understood, using the terms "nihonshu" or "Japanese sake" is more likely to be clear. Introduction of Related Japanese Terms: 日本酒 Related Japanese Terms 日本酒 Japanese (Kanji)日本酒Japanese (Hiragana)にほんしゅPronunciationNi-hon shuEnglishSakeDetails日本 means 'Japan,' and 酒 means 'alcohol.' 酒 can be read in multiple ways, such as "sake" or "shu." Conclusion Understanding the terminology and cultural nuances associated with Japanese alcoholic beverages is crucial for anyone interested in Japanese ...