Noodles are a major part of the Japanese diet, hot and cold. Ramen, soba, and udon are probably the three most popular types of noodles served hot with a broth, or cold without one. Wikipedia tells us that most ramen is made from wheat flour, salt, water and kansui. Kansui is an alkaline mineral water […]
Summer Customs in Japan
Japanese summers are usually introduced by a warm, sunny spring season, but this year, the temperatures and conditions have been wildly erratic. However, ‘Tsuyu’ (the rainy season) has arrived on schedule as usual, bringing with it the typical heat and humidity that can be expected at this time of the year, and the realization that […]
Japanese Year in Sync with the Seasons
One of the first things I noticed, as a schoolteacher in Japan, is that so many countries start their school year in a different month. I come from Australia, where the school year is the same as the calendar year, and so the students begin their classes in January. Being in the southern hemisphere, Australia’s […]
Tokyo Weather and Climate Conditions
Tokyo weather – plan your Tokyo trip in advance according to the weather forecast. Tokyo weather can be extreme. September is the typhoon season. Few of them are strong, usually it ends with some hard-hitting winds. If you are visiting Tokyo at this time of the year, I recommend paying attention to the weather forecast. […]
The Best Time to Visit Japan
Japan, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? Cherry blossom or Sakura in Japanese. Those beautiful leaves, ranging from a bright pinky colour to a pure snow white. Only problem they are not round very long. Sometimes only a week depending heavily on the weather. Wind and rain are cherry blossoms biggest enemy. Of […]