Japanese Culture | One Map by FROM JAPAN

Gashapon: Beware! One Capsule Toy Is Never Enough

Gashapon Pokémon Sun and Moon Mini-mini Gacha Poké Machine Capsule Toy (Gashapon)

Japanese capsule toys are some of the most diverse and interesting trinkets available in Japan. Capsule toys are more commonly known in Japan as ‘gashapon’ and can be bought from so-called ‘gacha gacha’ vending machines. These machines can be found in many places, such as in game centers and outside supermarkets. The amount of machines with extremely affordable prices – usually 100 yen, but with larger toys stretching to 400 – has led to a huge variety of gashapon. From cute to weird and even cool, there’s a gashapon for you!

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Japanese Fans and Umbrellas: A Lovely Tradition

Japan is well renowned for beautiful traditional buildings and shrines. Part of that old aesthetic is traditional Japanese fans and umbrellas. These fans and umbrellas are still seen and used to this day, especially in the cultural capital of Kyoto. However, the questions many have are what are they, where did they come from and when did people use them?

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All about Kimono and Yukata: The Differences, How To Wear & Buy

Kimono and yukata are traditional Japanese garments that have charmed people around the world with their beauty, style, and traditional aesthetic. They are full-length T-shaped robes that have long sleeves and are secured in place with a decorative belt. There are many specific rules for when and how to wear kimono and yukata, known as kitsuke. The rules for kimono are much stricter as they are considered formalwear, while rules for wearing yukata are more relaxed. (more…)

Transform Your Boring Lunch with the Best Bento Accessories!

Packing a lunch every morning—whether it’s for your beloved spouse, children, or yourself—can be a total drag. Heck, even with all the time in the world, you think packing lunches is still a pain. Well, you’re not alone. Lucky for you, we’ve compiled a list of handy bento gizmos and gadgets to make your mornings easier—oh, and also, you’ll be able to make insanely cool-looking bento lunches with half the usual effort. Sounds great, right?

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6 Must-Have Japanese Kitchen Gadgets

Intro to Japanese Kitchen Gadgets

Japanese Kitchen Gadgets

The man arm pillows, heated toilet seats, sushi bag covers … we’ve all heard of these bizarre, yet actually (kind of) useful items. And we secretly want all of them. Well, if Japan can make ingenious inventions for the bedroom and bathroom, there’s no reason why it can’t for the kitchen—and it did. Here are some top must-have gadgets!

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Japanese Green Tea Cookies & 9 other Matcha Snacks to Die For!

Most people from outside of Asia don’t think of green tea as a flavor they want in a snack. But those of you who have basked in the delight of creamy, sweet, slightly bitter green tea desserts have probably already been converted to the green side of the snack universe. There are many kinds of green tea snacks: from chocolate to cookies to ice cream and traditional Japanese wagashi sweets.

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