Schools in many countries around the world require their students to wear uniforms. This practice can be traced all the way back to 16th century England and the Christ Hospital School in London which in 1552 was the first school to introduce uniforms. Since then many debates have been had whether or not wearing uniforms has a positive effect on students. Some of people … [Read more...] about 15 Countries And Their Typical School Uniforms
Culture
Top Scary Places and Halloween in Japan – From Kawaii to Kowai
Witches, Ghosts, Goblins, and more (Keitai)Zombies than you can shake a stick at are currently shuffling up and down the streets in Shibuya, which can only mean that yes, Halloween is upon us once more. Seeing all the “sexy” scary costumes on display here, you start to wonder just how many people truly know the origins of Samhain Night. Brief … [Read more...] about Top Scary Places and Halloween in Japan – From Kawaii to Kowai
5 Mind-Baffling Myths That Are Commonly Held in Japan
Call them myths, wive’s tales, pseudoscience, or just plain bullshit. Every country has beliefs that fly in the face of science. Take the US, with their anti-vaxxers, climate deniers and creationists. Some commonly held beliefs are less insidious, and even seem credible. For example, if you read in a poorly lit room you will go blind. You were probably a small child the first … [Read more...] about 5 Mind-Baffling Myths That Are Commonly Held in Japan
What happened to the Japanese love of nature?
There is a common image that Japanese people love nature. In some ways that is clearly true, thankfully. However, in various important respects what happens in practice seems to go very much against that. In a world increasingly focused on sustainability and protection of the environment there is one habit in Japan which, I suggest, needs to change. I’m referring to the bad … [Read more...] about What happened to the Japanese love of nature?
The Art of Washi – The Japanese Paper Lanterns Festival
We were invited to a lot of festivals recently, and we go to quite a few of them throughout the year, but the Mino Paper Lantern Festival will always have a special place in our hearts. Mino is a small town in the middle of Gifu prefecture. It’s already quite popular as a tourist destination due to its historical charm, but once a year, for the Paper Lantern Festival or … [Read more...] about The Art of Washi – The Japanese Paper Lanterns Festival