Houses in Japan The Japanese are very house-proud people. There are often two distinct patterns of residences in Japan: the single-family detached house and the multiple-unit building. Old Japanese houses can be very quaint and it is enjoyable to drive out of the cities into rural Japan to see some beautiful examples of well-designed architecture and meticulously kept gardens. The constant thre...

Japanese cars The Japanese car industry is one of the top three car manufacturing industries in the world. Toyota holds the position for the leading manufacturer in the world and Japanese car makers are among the most trusted makers internationally. The Toyota Prius made headlines as one of the first hybrid cars and is leading the field in more eco-friendly car brands. In this Japanese learners...

Japanese traditional fermentation Traditional Japanese food and drink culture is considered one of the healthiest in the world, and the process of fermentation has a heavy influence on this from sake to soy sauce. These processes, although they have some overlap, are very individual crafts that create tastes and flavours that are distinct to each area and each maker. The history of these proces...

Camping in Japan During the spring, summer and autumn months, there are many places to go camping in Japan. It is a popular activity especially for families with young children. With the summer vacations just around the corner, many of the more well-known sites fill up quickly, so early reservations are recommended. There are many campsites listed on the Japan National Tourism Organization websi...

Health in Japan Japanese people are said to be among the healthiest nations in the world. There are constantly TV programs dedicated solely to health problems, healthy lifestyles and health products and food. The national health insurance in the country is also universal and does a comparatively competent job at providing affordable care for the population. In this blog which is read by Kumiko ...