Haramaki is a type of Japanese undergarment. It literally translates as 'belly wrap' (腹巻). I first learned about haramaki when shopping at Japanese clothing store Uniqlo. In the underwear section, I saw a tube-like knitted item that seemed perfect for keeping my neck warm at night. Shortly after having bought two 'neckwarmers', I saw a... Continue Reading →
Signs of spring: Field Horsetail or Tsukushi
Japanese people are a lot more aware of the seasons than Belgian people are. While the first signs of spring are met with joy everywhere, Japanese culture takes it to another level by singling out a great number of tell-tale sings of spring that people can look for and rejoice about. Famous examples are the... Continue Reading →
What is so special about Japan anyway?
I absolutely adore Japan. And I am not the only one. More and more foreigners are becoming true Japan-o-holics. But where does this fascination with the land of the rising sun come from? What is so special about Japan anyway? One of the most interesting things about Japan, at least to me, is that it... Continue Reading →