Over-packaging is a unique problem or situation in Japan. If you have ever brought any souvenir from Japan or got something from a decent department store, 99% of the chance that you have seen the packaging skills of the store sales. There are so many layers of wrapping paper, on top of which could be
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Dice Bag – Japanese Aesthetics
If you play board games, you might need a bag to store all your favorite game supplies including dices. We met Chris today, who is half Taiwanese and half Hispanic. As most full-time software engineers, he has a hobby at the side. He makes dice bags, in a unique triangle shape. We asked, why this
The Art of J – Japanese Aesthetics
Japanese Airlines has three volumes of commercials that showed off the art of Japan better than many others. Take a look of the clips and let us know your thoughts. Precision was mentioned first. When the sushi chef took out the knife, you thought this would just reveal common things we have already known. Not
100 Years Old Dessert Shop
In Sakai, Osaka, Kanbukuro is an old dessert shop established in 1329, which is only about 5 minutes walk from Nanshuji, the Buddhist temple famous for Sen-no-Rikyu, the best known tea master in Japanese history. In 1583 Toyotomi Hideyoshi commenced the construction of the grande Osaka Castle on the site of the Ikkō-ikki temple of Ishiyama
100+ Years Old Businesses Series – Sakan Ryokan, Modernized Inside
Akiu is the nearest hot spring resort in Sendai, the hub city in Thohoku region, northeastern Japan. The Akiu Hot Spring is among the three oldest hot springs in Japan. The name “Sakan” comes from a man named Kanzaburo Satoh who first started a small “ryokan” (Japanese inn) in Akiu about 1,000 years ago. His descendants
100+ Years Old Businesses Series – Geisha
We include Geisha as a part of this series because it does count as a business as Geisha was originally equal to female entertainers that made a living by having this unique identity. Before Geisha appeared, in the early stages of Japanese history, female entertainers who usually came from displaced families in the late 600s. Sexual
100+ Years Old Businesses Series – Sankogan, the Pill of Three Lights
The history of Sankogan can be traced back for approximately 700 years, back to the late Kamakura period. In the Yamatonokuni region in those days, the Ochi clan was one of the most important powerful families. Ochi clan’s brain is the Komeda family which was specialized in medicine and pharmaceuticals, and prescribed various drugs and
100+ Years Old Businesses Series – Maruya Hatcho Miso with 600 River Stones
Miso (味噌) is a traditional Japanese seasoning produced by fermenting soybeans with salt and koji (the fungus Aspergillus oryzae) and sometimes rice, barley, or other ingredients. It’s usually a yellow color thick paste that can be used for all kinds of cooking. Miso soup is a family meal item in an average Japanese household and
100+ Years Old Businesses Series – Foundry and Metal Work
Shinto shrines in Japan can date back to over 2000 years ago, along with the development of Buddhism temples. This sets the foundation for industries including constructions, metal work, foundry, material manufacturing and more to be developed early on in Japan’s history. Many of companies in the related industries have been adapted to modernized technologies
100+ Years Old Businesses Series – Tsuen Tea, Oldest Matcha from Uji
Uji is actually the very first city we visited in Japan. It was recommended by a friend who enjoyed the city a lot. It gave us a wonderful beginning of knowing Japan. We were so impressed by the beautiful and powerful Uji River going through the whole city. Definitely, we loved its famous local specialty