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Short reads on how Japan works — the meaning behind the things you see.

4 entries

The tanuki, often translated as the Japanese raccoon dog, is a native animal of Japan that can occasionally be spotted in the wild, especially in…

Legend tells that Japan was born from the union of two deities, Izanagi and Izanami. From their lineage came Amaterasu, the sun goddess, from whom…

How to Pray in Shinto shrine Make an offering – Toss a coin into the box (a 5-yen coin, go-en , is considered lucky). Ring the bell (if present) –…

If you've spent any time in Japan, you've probably noticed a pattern that puzzles a lot of visitors: the same person might visit a Shinto shrine on…