Kodawari Times
2026.01.09
At the Hachimangu Shrine in my village, every year around year-end, volunteers from the parishioners gather to make shimenawa (sacred ropes.) This year, as the caretaker of Hachima
2025.12.26
Yamagata City, the largest city in Yamagata Prefecture, located in the Tohoku region. Surrounded by mountains on all sides, it is a land rich in nature with distinct seasonal chang
2025.12.24
Hello, I’m Rina, a writer for Kodawari Times. In Japan, often called a premium chocolate country, the event that sees the biggest jump in chocolate sales is Valentine’s
2025.12.22
Hello, I’m Rina, a writer for Kodawari Times. Winter has finally arrived in Japan. For sake lovers, this is the perfect season for “kanzake”—warmed sake! While sake can be en
2025.12.19
Hello, I’m Hakoboya, the Souvenir Promotion Captain for Kodawari Times! ╭(·ᴗ·)╮╰(·ᴗ·)╯ The Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan closed its doors in October 2025. With over 25 milli
2025.12.17
Hello! I’m Hakoboya, the Souvenir Promotion Captain for Kodawari Times! ╭(·ᴗ·)╮╰(·ᴗ·)╯ Do you know Monchhichi, the pioneer of Japanese kawaii culture? This adorable monkey-li
2025.12.10
Hello! I’m Hakoboya, the Souvenir Promotion Captain for Kodawari Times! ╭(·ᴗ·)╮╰(·ᴗ·)╯ The other day, we tallied the results of a survey about Japanese souvenirs we ran on th
2025.11.28
Osaka continues to draw attention as a major tourist destination in Japan. While popular spots like Osaka Castle and Dotonbori are well-known within the city itself, Osaka Prefectu
