Japanese Words & Culture 水始涸: Water begins to recede | Japan’s 72 Microseasons
水始涸 marks the point when rice paddies move toward harvest: water recedes, golden fields mature, and new-crop rice begins to reach the table.
Japanese Words & Culture 
Everyday Food Hōtō: Yamanashi’s Miso Noodles That Aren’t Quite Udon
Hōtō may look like udon, but this Yamanashi specialty is cooked differently: broad wheat noodles simmer directly with vegetables in miso broth, creating a thick, hearty one-pot dish.
Japanese Beyond Translation What Does “Otsukaresama” Mean? Why Japanese Uses It for Hello, Thanks, and Goodbye
Otsukaresama is often translated as “good work” or “thanks for your hard work,” but it also works as a greeting, farewell, and acknowledgment of shared effort.
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Japanese Words & Culture
Stories, ideas, and traditions that gain meaning in Japan.
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Gambling & Lotteries in Japan Why Does Japan Have Four Public Racing Sports?
Why does Japan have exactly four public racing systems—horse racing, Keirin, Boat Race and Auto Race? The answer lies in their separate histories, postwar policy roles and government oversight.
Gambling & Lotteries in Japan Why Is Gambling Mostly Illegal in Japan — Yet Horse Racing and Lotteries Are Legal?
Gambling is generally prohibited in Japan, yet horse racing, Keirin, Boat Race and official lotteries are legal. The reason lies in Japan’s system of narrow statutory exceptions.
Japanese Words & Culture 雷乃収声: Thunder ceases | Japan’s 72 Microseasons
What 雷乃収声 (Thunder ceases) means in Japan, and what is actually in season now through the lens of shun.
Gambling & Lotteries in Japan Gambling in Japan: What Is Legal and How Does It Work?
Gambling is generally prohibited in Japan, yet horse racing, Keirin, Boat Race, lotteries, pachinko and sports lotteries all exist under different legal systems. Here is how the system actually works.
Japanese Words & Culture 禾乃登: Rice and other grains ripen | Japan’s 72 Microseasons
What 禾乃登 (Rice and other grains ripen) means in Japan, and what is actually in season now through the lens of shun.
Japanese Words & Culture 玄鳥去: Swallows depart | Japan’s 72 Microseasons
What Tsubame saru (Swallows depart) means in Japan, and what is actually in season now through the lens of shun.
Japanese Words & Culture Shubun (秋分): Autumn Equinox in Japan
What 秋分 (Autumn Equinox) means in Japan, and how the old seasonal calendar compares with present-day weather and everyday life.