10/01/2021 / Last updated : 10/01/2021 Sachiaki Takamiya Japanese culture

January 10th is a Day for Ebisu, a God of Business Prosperity

In Japan, especially in Western Japan, January 10th is a special day. It is a day for a god called Ebisu. It is a god of business prosperity.

07/01/2021 / Last updated : 07/01/2021 Sachiaki Takamiya health trends

Fermented Brown Rice Nanakusagayu

Nanakusagayu is salt taste rice porridge made by what we call spring seven wild herbs. It is supposed to cleanse our stomach which has been filled with heavy meals during the new year’s holiday. If we have Nanakusagayu for breakfast on the 7th, we are said to have good health for the rest of the year.

05/01/2021 / Last updated : 05/01/2021 Sachiaki Takamiya Japanese culture

Hatsumode, the First Visit to a Shinto Shrine in the New Year

We did Hatsumode, visiting a shrine on the 4th this year.

04/01/2021 / Last updated : 04/01/2021 Sachiaki Takamiya Japanese culture

Joya no Kane, the New Year’s Eve Bell

In Japan, we have a tradition called Joya no Kane which means the New Year’s Eve Bell. The bells are rung 108 times at Buddhist temples throughout the country.

25/12/2020 / Last updated : 25/12/2020 Sachiaki Takamiya Japanese culture

Christmas in Japan

Why do we celebrate Christmas in Japan?

21/12/2020 / Last updated : 21/12/2020 Sachiaki Takamiya Japanese culture

We Eat Squashes for the Winter Solstice in Japan

For dinner, we had squashes since that is our tradition in Japan at the winter solstice.

19/12/2020 / Last updated : 19/12/2020 Sachiaki Takamiya Japanese culture

Mochitsuki Rice Pounding

We pounded rice to make Mochi, rice cake today.

16/12/2020 / Last updated : 16/12/2020 Sachiaki Takamiya Japanese culture

Praying at Benzaiten on a Day of Financial Fortune

It was a day of financial fortune today according to the Japanese lunar calendar, so I went to a Benzaiten shrine in our town. Benzaiten is Sarasvati in Sanskrit, and is said to give you wealth, and it is good to visit a Benzaiten shrine on a day like today.

15/12/2020 / Last updated : 15/12/2020 Sachiaki Takamiya health trends

Going to an Onsen, a Hot Spring is One of My Ikigais

I call onsen a Japanese sauna, and it has a tremendous wellness effect. I definitely think onsen is one of the secrets to Japanese longevity.

29/11/2020 / Last updated : 29/11/2020 Sachiaki Takamiya Ikigai exercises

Machinami Cycling, Cycling along Omi-Hino Merchant Street

Cycling in the old city of our town.