Arts & Culture

Travelling is an unquenchable passion and, if we cannot currently move around freely, we can still take a virtual tour of the country’s most scenic natural and cultural sites.

On 3rd January every year, the Ceremony of the First Karuta Play of the New Year is held at Yasaka Shrine.

Every year, on 20th December, from 7 o’ clock in the morning at Nishi Hongan-ji and from 9 o’ clock at Higashi Hongan-ji (Shimogyō-ku, Kyoto), the temple halls undergo a thorough year-end cleaning.

Once a depressing, dull brick wall, a new colourful bookcase offers residents their favourite titles.

Early summer is a great season for tea or some laid-back time in magnificent spaces designed by famous architects, with a lush green backdrop.

The city of Tajimi, which is renowned for its production of traditional Mino ceramic tea bowls, is also home to a uniquely shaped museum.

The Festival of Lights is a suggestive mix of tradition, spirituality and charm, replicated each year.

Have you ever thought of learning Chinese? The Chinese language has long been considered the most difficult major language to learn, largely on account of the vast number and complexity of its characters. Actually, though, only a few hundred are necessary to comprehend basic Chinese literature and begin to delve into Chinese culture and art.

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Soothing book sanctuaries across the country.

The sight of creatures swimming free or playing on the waterside is a way to relieve the stress of self-isolation.

Download for free the full version of three unmissable 19th-century European novels.