Japanese with Hikari's Blog

Japan’s work culture is known around the world for being hardworking, respectful, and… well, a little intense. But there’s way more to it than just long hours and bowing!
Let’s take a look at what makes Japan’s workplace unique. Some things might surp...

Not a while ago I introduced you to Kenzo Takada, a successful Japanese fashion brand.Now, I’m here to introduce you to Naoto Fukasawa, a very bright Japanese industrial designer!

Let’s learn about him together 👩🏻‍🏫

Who is Naoto Fukasawa 深澤 直人

Let’s get to know Kenzo, his life and his most popular work😀

Japanese Roots

Kenzo Takada (高田賢三) was born on February 27, 1939, in Himeji, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan. Kenzo’s love for fashion started early, thanks to his sisters' magazines. He started ...

We are continuing with the Yokai series!

Read about other Yokais: Kappa, Oni, Tengu and Yukionna!

(image from Wikipedia)

What is Inugami?

Ever heard of Inugami? It’s one of Japan’s spookier yokai—a dog spirit with a mix of loyalty and dan...

I’m super excited to share the story of the Japanese Yokai Yukionna (雪女), known as the Snow Woman. This fascinating figure from Japanese folklore is a mix of beauty and danger, perfectly capturing the spirit of winter.

 Let's read about other Yok...

Continuing with Yokai, we'll dive into the mysterious world of Tengu.

 Let's read about other Yokai: Kappa and Oni!

👺What is a Tengu?

(image via Wikipedia)

In Japan, everyone knows what a tengu looks like. Unlike the kappa, these long-nosed mon...

In our continuing exploration of yokai, the mysterious creatures from Japanese mythology, today we’re diving into one of the most iconic and fearsome figures: the Oni. Unlike the mischievous kappa or mysterious tengu we’ve discussed before, oni are a...

Let's dive into the world of yōkai, those fascinating supernatural beings from Japanese folklore. One of the most intriguing yōkai is the kappa, a creature that lives in rivers and ponds. But before we get into that, let's explore a bit of the histor...

If you’re interested in Japanese culture, I’m sure you’ve heard of “idol” アイドル before.

In Japan, idols are young entertainers who sing, dance, act, appear on TV shows, do modeling, star in commercials, and interact with fans.

Their main charm? T...

Have you ever been to a Japanese Onsen 温泉 before? It’s a very ancient tradition in Japan that even the oldest Japanese book ever, the Kojiki 古事記 (712 CE), mentions it. So, I will teach you how to successfully experience Onsen in Japan so you can enjo...

I want to talk about one Japanese poet that I admire so much! Her name is Misuzu Kaneko, and her poems are timeless pieces of art that were discovered not so long ago. Her writing is full of passion, and it makes you change your perspective of the wo...

Earthquakes (地震・じしん) happen very often here in Japan. It’s just part of life.

But why so many? And how do Japanese people deal with it on a daily basis? Let’s break it down.

🌋 Why Does Japan Have So Many Earthquakes?

Short answer? Japan is sitt...