Hello and thank you for visiting our website! We are Young Japan and are honoured to announce that we have launched our very own project to introduce the countless charms of Japan to a wide audience. Go check out our About page to find out more about the excitement that waits ahead!

We are proud to announce that Shota’s interview has been published!
" He told me that this painful experience would one day become a power to help the socially vulnerable people."
Go check out his life story and witness Japan from his eyes.

June’s footer is a photo of “Ajisai” (紫陽花 / あじさい).
Ajisai translates to hydrangea, and is a type of flower native to Japan. However, the ajisai we see now were developed overseas and reimported.
The rainy season is called “tsuyu ” (梅雨 / つゆ) in Japan, and usually occures in June. Ajisai blooms during this period, and the colours of the petals depend on the acidity of the soil it grows on; blue if highly acidic, red if it is alkali, and purple if neutral.

Here are some fun facts:
・Kamakura has many famous temples where people can capture the beauty of Ajisai.
・Ajisai is also known as “shichi-henge” (七変化 しちへんげ), literally translating to “changing seven times” because it reveals itself in many colours.
・Ajisai has many languages as a flower; it means “fickle” due to the changing colours and “harmony” because the petals are placed close to each other, but also has unique meanings depending on the colour of the petals such as pink “energetic”, blue “intense passion”, and purple “grace”.

About monthly photo: we will update our footer photo on a monthly basis to something that symbolises the period in Japan.

July’s footer is a photo of “Take” (竹 / たけ) adorned with “Tanzaku” (短冊) for the celebration of “Tanabata” (七夕).

Take translates to bamboo, a plant that symbolizes strength and flexibility in Japanese culture. During July, Japan celebrates Tanabata, also known as the Star Festival, where people write their wishes on colorful strips of paper called tanzaku and hang them on bamboo branches. This tradition is based on a folktale of two star-crossed lovers, Orihime and Hikoboshi, who are allowed to meet only once a year on the seventh day of the seventh month.

Here are some fun facts:
・Tanabata originated from a Chinese festival called Qixi and was introduced to Japan during the Heian period.
・In Sendai, one of the most famous Tanabata festivals is held, featuring elaborate decorations and vibrant parades.
・Bamboo is not only significant during Tanabata but also plays a crucial role in Japanese culture, from being used in traditional crafts to being a symbol of resilience and prosperity.

About monthly photo: we will update our footer photo on a monthly basis to something that symbolises the period in Japan.

We are proud to announce that Ryusuke’s interview has been published!
“Everyone is considerate, which creates a kind world, but sometimes it feels like there's not much excitement or stimulation.”
Go check out his life story and witness Japan from his eyes.

We are proud to announce that Lumi's interview has been published!
“[Japan’s] a safe place. There are some good and bad memories, but it's still my home country. I like it.”
Go check out his life story and witness Japan from his eyes.

We are proud to announce that Shunsuke's interview has been published!
“I want to start an educational venture in Africa.”
Go check out his life story and witness Japan from his eyes.

We are proud to announce that Sakutaro's interview has been published!
“I'd like to find hope in Japan through creativity.”
Go check out his life story and witness Japan from his eyes.

August’s footer is a photo of Hanabi (花火/はなび).
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Hanabi translates to fireworks, which is popular not only in Japan but widely around the world. In Japan there are many firework festivals held in the summer, compared to bonfires being popular in autumn in the West. This is because the sun sets at around seven during summer, so it is dark enough at night for the fireworks to colour and display. People enjoy wearing yukata (浴衣/ゆかた) for these events, which are a casual version of kimonos.

Here are some fun facts: ・There are many types of hanabi like Shidare yanagi (しだれ柳) which the fireworks slowly shower down after exploding. This shows how fireworks in Japan are not just for the flashiness but also have a quietness in which people can immerse in and feel its true beauty. ・Firework festivals (Hanabi Takai 花火大会/はなびたいかい) have many food stalls and gaming stalls. You can eat takoyaki, yakisoba, pickle-on-a-stick, neriame (練り飴 liquid-like candy) and many more, or play games of water balloon fishing, shooting, or goldfish scooping. ・People tend to chant “Tamaya ~” (たまや〜) or “Kagiya ~” (かぎや〜) as the craftsmen ignite the fireworks up to the sky, because they are the two traditional and most famous branches of firework craftsmen. ・People also enjoy handheld fireworks in their backyards during the summer. There are many types, like fireworks that change colour while burning, or Senko hanabi (線香花火) which we light up at the end, enjoying the quiet sizzle in the darkness. About monthly photo: we will update our footer photo on a monthly basis to something that symbolises the period in Japan

September’s footer is a photo of “Otsukimi” (お月見/おつきみ)

Otsukimi directly translates to looking at the moon, and is a traditional Japanese event where people watch and appreciate “Chuushuu no meigetsu” (中秋の名月/ちゅうしゅうのめいげつ), the most beautiful moon of the year. The night we watch the moon is called “Juugoya” (十五夜/じゅうごや),which stands for 15th August of the old calendar (Juugo is the number 15). This year 17th September corresponds to this date. People celebrate Otsukimi by preparing “Susuki” (ススキ), Japanese pampas grass since it believed to be a “Yorishiro” (依代/よりしろ) of the moon god. Yorishiro is a traditional belief that divine spirits dwell on objects. We also eat “Tsukimi dango” (月見団子/つきみだんご) sweet and chewy Japanese rice dumplings, since the round shape resembles that of a moon, and we have 15 of them to match the Juugoya.

Here are some fun facts: ・“Imomeigetsu” (芋名月/いもめいげつ) is another way to describe Chuushuu no meigetsu. “Imo” (芋/いも) means potato, portraying that the moon in Autumn can be seen in the harvest season. ・There are other days to appreciate the beauty of the moon, like “Juusanya” (十三夜/じゅうさんや) and “Tookannya” (十日夜/とおかんや). Juusan is the number 13 and Too is a traditional way to address the number 10. They each stand for 13th September and 10th October in the old calendar, and we can also witness a beautiful view of the moon on these days. ・Some areas decorate their entrance porch with Susuki, since it is believed that the sharp tips of the plant work as an amulet protecting people from evil spirits. About monthly photo: we will update our footer photo on a monthly basis to something that symbolises the period in Japan.(Photo from: Premier Garden. (n.d). 秋の花と十五夜の名月を味わう。お月見の由来や飾り方. https://prrr.jp/note/scene/4668/)