Jimi Halloween (地味ハロウィン) means “plain,” “subdued,” or “mundane Halloween.” It is a Japanese subculture and trend where people dress up in costumes that are very ordinary, even boring: everyday situations, awkwardness, and oddly specific scenarios are the costumes. Instead of being spooky, fantastical, or flashy, the […]
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As the crisp air and vibrant foliage of autumn sweep across the Northern Hemisphere, a culinary treasure emerges from the forest floor: the matsutake mushroom. Revered for centuries in East Asia, particularly in Japan, this wild mushroom is more than just a seasonal ingredient. It is […]
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If you’ve ever visited Japan in the autumn, you may have noticed people pausing to admire the full moon, often with a tray of round rice dumplings nearby. This is Tsukimi (月見), Japan’s traditional moon-viewing festival, a beautiful celebration of the harvest moon and the changing […]
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Tokyo just got a little more magical! Japan’s first flagship Harry Potter shop in Harajuku has officially opened its doors, and it is everything a wizard or a Muggle could dream of. Whether you are a lifelong fan of J.K. Rowling’s books, obsessed with the films, […]
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