Cowichan Valley Voice

As cherry blossoms bloom, new students and their families dress formally and attend the entrance ceremony. In particular, at elementary schools, it is common for children to wear brand-new uniforms and carry shiny “randoseru” backpacks, taking commemorative photos with their families. A randoseru is a sturdy, box-shaped backpack used by Japanese elementary school students. It …

In Japan, “Hinamatsuri” is an annual event that carries the wish for the healthy growth and future happiness of young girls. On this day, families decorate their homes with Hina dolls, adorned with decorations like cherry blossoms and peach flowers, and offer traditional treats such as hina-arare (colored rice cakes) and hishi-mochi (diamond-shaped rice cakes), …

◆What is ramen?◆ Ramen is a beloved noodle dish in Japan that has its roots in the Chinese “Chuka soba.” Over time, it has evolved through Japanese culture to become what is the modern ramen enjoyed today. While sushi is often cited as the most popular Japanese food among foreigners, ramen comes a close second, …

The History and Culture of RICE in Japan 「The Japanese People: A Nation of Rice」 Rice cultivation was introduced to Japan around 6,000 years ago during the early Jomon period. Rice was not originally native to the Japanese archipelago, and its origin is believed to be the Chinese mainland. Rice, being a crop well-suited to …

Canadian Thanksgiving in 2024 is on Monday, October 14th, right? The stars of Canadian Thanksgiving are likely “turkey” and “mashed potatoes,” right? Did you know that Japan has a similar day to celebrate the autumn harvest? In Japan, around mid-October, there is an event called 〝OTSUKIMI” (moon viewing). Although the early autumn in Japan is …

September Respect for the Aged Day of Japan In Canada, you have National Grandparents’ Day in September. In Japan, the third Monday of September is called “Respect for the Aged Day” and is a national holiday. The purpose of Respect for the Aged Day in Japan is to “honor the elderly who have served society …

Do you know why Japan is one of the world’s leading countries in longevity? Reasons for Japanese longevity include high-quality healthcare and a well-established healthcare system, relatively affordable medical costs due to the national health insurance system, easy access to hospitals, a high health consciousness leading to frequent health check-ups, and the prevalence of a …

In Japan, May 5th is celebrated as “Children’s Day,” a national holiday. Originally known as “Tango no Sekku,” a tradition imported from China to celebrate the healthy growth of boys, it was officially designated as a day to “respect children’s personalities, promote their happiness, and express gratitude to mothers” in 1948. Since then, “Tango no …