This summer, 大地の芸術祭 (daichi no geijutsu-sai, Echigo-Tsumari Art Field), also known as Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale, runs July 13 to Nov. 10 in Niigata Prefecture, adding one more destination to Japan’s busy schedule of 夏祭り (natsu matsuri, summer festivals). Although it’s held in what may be an inconvenient location, seeing Yayoi Kusama’s favorite flower sculpture in … Read more
This year has already seen unseasonably warm weather, and it seems the 桜 (sakura, cherry blossoms) are eager to show themselves. That means you’re going to have to start preparing for your 花見 (hanami, blossom viewing) parties earlier as well. Despite its name being a simple combination of 花 (hana, flower) and 見 (mi), from … Read more
One of the benefits of living in a Japanese city is the transportation network. A wide range of people use trains, subways and buses to get where they’re going, and you’ll often find 優先席 (yūsenseki, priority seats) in the general seating area. Recently, ジョージア大使のツイートが話題になりました (Jōjia taishi no tsuīto ga wadai ni narimashita, a tweet by … Read more