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Welcoming the Year in Japan — Oshōgatsu Traditions at Home

Welcoming the Year in Japan: Oshōgatsu Traditions at Home
Discover how the New Year is celebrated in Japan with Oshōgatsu traditions, from home preparation and osechi dishes to subtle craft objects and rituals.

Japan Suite 12/27/25 Japan Suite 12/27/25

How the Year Ends in Japan — Preparing for a New Beginning

How the Year Ends in Japan: Traditional Year-End Rituals
Explore how the year ends in Japan through traditional rituals such as Ōsōji, shimekazari, kagami mochi, toshikoshi soba, and New Year’s Eve temple bells.

Japan Suite 12/20/25 Japan Suite 12/20/25

Winter Solstice in Japan: Celebrating Tōji with Traditions and Crafts

The Japanese winter solstice, Tōji, is celebrated with traditions like yuzuyu (yuzu baths) to promote health. Crafted bathware, candles, and pottery enhance the rituals, blending tradition and artistry. Seasonal dishes, such as kabocha squash served in handmade bowls, add warmth to the celebration.

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Tsukimi: Japan’s Timeless Moon-Viewing Tradition

Tsukimi, or “moon viewing,” is a centuries-old Japanese tradition celebrating the autumn full moon with seasonal offerings like tsukimi dango and susuki grass. Observed in mid-September and October, this festival honors nature’s beauty and the gratitude of harvest time.

Japan Suite 3/9/25 Japan Suite 3/9/25

NamaZake: Spring’s Freshest Sip

Welcoming spring in Japan means enjoying namazake, a fresh, unpasteurized brew that captures the vibrant flavors of the new brewing season. Best served chilled, this seasonal delight pairs beautifully with springtime cuisine and hanami celebrations.

Japan Suite 1/29/25 Japan Suite 1/29/25

Timeless Beauty in Tea and Craftsmanship

The Kodo Kiyooka Rinka Plate, with its delicate, petal-like edges and subtly crackled glaze, embodies the organic beauty of Japanese ceramics. Paired with the aged patina of a 150-year-old vintage tea bowl, holding a rich matcha hue, this scene evokes the quiet refinement of a traditional tea moment.

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Yunishigawa Kamakura Festival: A Dreamy Snowy Escape in Tochigi

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Coming soon! Oryoki

Japan Suite 2/13/24 Japan Suite 2/13/24

Kintsugi saved art piece

I was heartbroken upon receiving @ogataatushi's rice bowl, but my feeling was lifted when the #Kintsugi art revitalized it..!

Japan Suite 5/24/20 Japan Suite 5/24/20

Note from Japan Suite

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Happy Girl's Day!

🌸 HAPPY GIRL'S DAY! 🌸

March 3 marks the annual celebration of a more than one thousand year old Japanese tradition known as Hinamatsuri (雛祭り Hina-matsuri). This day is also called “Girl’s Day”, “Doll Festival”, and “Momo no Sekku”, which celebrates the blossoming of peach trees in early March. Peach blossoms are thought to ward off evil and bring good fortune to young girls. Dolls and peach blossoms are essential parts of Hinamatsuri.