Tag Archives: Japan
Manjirō Nakahama: A Japanese Pioneer’s Odyssey from Shipwreck to Gold Rush
Manjirō Nakahama, at the young age of 14, was a fisherman who, along with four companions, found himself stranded on an island following a shipwreck. Their rescue arrived in the form of an American whaleship, which transported them to Honolulu. While his friends decided to stay in Honolulu, Manjirō ventured onwards to Massachusetts. This journey… Read More »
Whimsical Tales: America’s Founders in Japanese Lore
Ekiben: Savoring Japan’s Train-Travel Delicacies
A typical $10 (1000 Yen) Bento, bought from a bento store in Tokyo Terminal. Ekiben, the quintessential Japanese train travel companion, are specially crafted bento box meals that showcase the unique flavors of each region. As passengers journey through Japan, they can indulge in these locally inspired delicacies that differ from station to station. In… Read More »
Cultivating Values through Cleanliness: Japan’s Unique School Tradition
In the majority of Japanese schools, janitors or custodians are not hired for cleaning tasks. The Japanese education system upholds the belief that students should be responsible for maintaining their schools’ cleanliness. This practice instills values of respect, responsibility, and equality among students. By participating in communal cleaning activities called “osoji,” students learn to take… Read More »
WTF Fun Fact 13330 – Kamikatsu Recycling
Raccoon Invasion: The Unintended Consequences of Pet Imports in Japan
In 1977, the airing of an anime based on the book Rascal in Japan led to the importation of thousands of North American raccoons as pets, which were eventually released into the wild and have since become an invasive species in the country. As a result of the raccoon population explosion in Japan, government officials… Read More »