Kuro Chan Blog

Have you ever wanted to acquire a huge rural house for next to nothing? Perhaps it’s time to visit Japan, where some communities giving away free abandoned homes. Free and incredibly inexpensive Japanese dwellings are classified into two groups; free akiya (空き家), or abandoned houses, and local government-driven town development plans. Both basically provide homes for near to nothing but have two significantly unique histories and objectives. Credit: Pixabay Akiya or ‘vacant homes’ Akiya (空き家) in Japanese means ‘vacant home’ and it’s the moniker given to a residence that is deserted, neglected and generally let to rot. Take a journey outside the inner suburbs of Japan’s heavily populated cities and you’ll see clusters of akiya with rooves teetering on the point of crumbling in and their big empty rooms unused for decades. The akiya phenomena is becoming a big concern. A 2013 government investigation indicated that over eight million residences across Japan were empty. Almost ...

Traveling with children in Japan may be difficult, especially if you are already dealing with a language barrier and cultural shock. Allowing your children to see this magnificent nation, on the other hand, may be incredibly memorable and gratifying. Fill up your itinerary with these ideas about things to do with children in Japan. Visit the amusement parks. Some of the top amusement parks in the world are in Japan . For example, Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea in Chiba Prefecture, not far from Tokyo, are at the top of the list. Sanrio Puroland in Tama is a theme park showcasing the company’s famous characters such as Pom Pom Purin and Hello Kitty. If your kids are older and wanting for more of a thrill, then check out the more classic amusement parks like Cosmo World in Yokohama. Experience amazing animal interactions Japan is a terrific spot to get up-close experiences with some really unusual creatures. At Nara Park, youngsters may buy food to feed to the native Sika deer, wh...

Japan is a culinary paradise. From fine dining to quick bites at convenience stores, the country is brimming with some of the world’s most delectable dishes. You can’t be squeamish if you want to experience everything Japan has to offer in the cuisine department, especially when it comes to how your dishes look. Sure, sushi is pretty, but the country is full of wonderful yet unappealing goods – here are a 11 Japanese dishes. Monjayaki Most people are familiar with okonomiyaki, sometimes known as “Japanese pizza” or “Japanese pancake” depending on where you live, which is essentially a pancake-looking mixture of batter, meat, fish, and veggies fried on a hotplate . Now it’s time to meet monjayaki, the ugly cousin of okonomiyaki. In the simplest terms, this meal looks like vomit and is most popular in the Kanto region. This fried delicacy, with a runny, almost paste-like consistency, may not win any beauty contests, but give it a try the next time you see it on the menu at an okonomiya...

Sushi with seafood. Chicken yakitori. Wagyu beef Tonkotsu ramen with pork bone. Dairy from Hokkaido . Japanese cuisine isn’t entirely vegan. The Land of the Rising Sun, however, is also the Land of the Rising Vegan Scene, with an ever-expanding collection of plant-powered restaurants all around the country. It’s not easy being a herbivore in Japan. Meat may be a recent craze, but seafood has long been a favorite. While it’s easy to distinguish tuna sushi from avocado and cucumber rolls, a deceptive ingredient known as dashi is far more difficult to notice. This common fish stock is used to season anything from ramen broths to plain rice, which keeps vegans on their toes. Japan has not embraced veganism as swiftly as its Western neighbors. However, the old tradition of shojin ryori – the animal-free cuisine founded by Buddhist monks – has been joined by a burgeoning crop of contemporary cruelty-free diners who have imported their ideals from outside. From the capital to Kyoto to the ...

During cherry blossom season, most Japanese workers—even those who normally have their meals at their desks—step outside to see the sakura. On weekends, many families and couples picnic in parks, but for visitors who come too late to witness Tokyo’s fleeting blooming season, there are many more wonderful sites in Japan to enjoy cherry blossoms later in spring. The following article is going to tell everyone How to see Sakura in Japan. Omachi: an undiscovered hanami location One of these locations is Nagano, a picturesque region known for its gorgeous Japanese Alps and hot springs where macaques enjoy to warm up. Nagano is one of Japan’s most beautiful prefectures and a popular winter destination for skiers and snowboarders. In fact, many Japanese individuals continue to ski in Nagano until the end of April, when the Golden Week begins. Because spring arrives much later in these areas, cherry blossom season can be seen long after the blossoms have fallen in Tokyo. Credit: Flickr ...

Few foreigners who live in Japan stay for the long term; some expats anxiously down the days until they can return home, while others drag their feet. Whatever group you belong to, there are parts of Japanese life that are certainly difficult to let go of when you leave. We look at what 10 things everyone misses when they leave Japan – the land of the rising sun. Cleanliness After a year or two in Japan, most individuals grow acclimated to the degree of cleanliness that is common even in the busiest portions of the major cities. Clean subway carriages, pristine residences, and garbage-free streets rapidly become an expectation wherever you go. For some, the homecoming might be an unpleasant awakening; most people are thrilled to be back home until they discover a homeless man peeing inside a telephone booth. Public transit is available Japan has the most comprehensive network of railways and subways in the world. Local trains, commuter rails, and high-speed railways can get you ...

Shinto shrines are an important aspect of Japanese culture. Although the majority of Japanese people are not religious, the country maintains a blend of Buddhist and Shinto rituals that have been embedded in daily life. Visiting a Shinto shrine to pray to the gods is one such ritual. If you have the opportunity to visit a Shinto shrine, here is how you pray at a Shinto Shrine in Japan. Where to go People in Japan often visit shrines for a specific purpose, such as wishing for a family member’s rapid recovery from illness, or in the case of pregnant women, praying for the safe delivery of their child. Some shrines are identified with specific kami (deities), therefore tourists gather there en masse to seek the gods’s favor. For example, people may travel to a shrine linked with Ebisu, the god of commerce, to pray for success in a commercial enterprise or a shrine associated with Tenjin, the deity of scholarship, to beg for luck in passing their examinations. Figure out what you are ...