Active Life educates through language, sports, art and cultural exchange. Join our projects and interact with the international community!
Active Life educates through language, sports, art and cultural exchange. Join our projects and interact with the international community!
Active Life educates through language, sports, art and cultural exchange. Join our projects and interact with the international community!
The Meaning of Hanami As soon as spring starts, many people in Japan begin thinking about sakura (桜), the famous cherry blossoms, and when it will be the best time to enjoy hanami (花見). But what does hanami mean? The word is made up of two Japanese ...
Japan is an island nation shaped by mountains. From Hokkaidō to Okinawa, its rugged landscapes offer beautiful hiking trails, volcanic scenery, and popular winter sports areas. Although Japanese mountains are not as tall as those in other parts of the wo ...
In Japanese contemporary literature, food is never just food. It’s memory, emotion, and sometimes—like in Kitchen by Banana Yoshimoto—a quiet declaration of love. First published in 1987, Kitchen became an instant classic, not only for its delicate prose ...
Japanese summer can be really hot and humid. It lasts from June to September, with the hottest months being July and August. This year, the heat was especially intense, reaching about 40 degrees Celsius in some cities. During summer, there are many festi ...
Summer in Japan is famously hot and humid. Everywhere you go, you'll find kakigori shops (shaved ice) offering sweet relief, people gracefully fanning themselves, and many wearing colorful yukata, the light cotton kimonos perfect for summer festivals. Du ...
If you’re learning Japanese, you’ve probably come across the word gohan (ごはん). It’s one of the first words taught in any beginner class, usually translated as “rice” or “meal.” But did you know that gohan represents much more than just food? ...
About Karo Neighborhood, in Tottori, Japan I have always lived between two worlds: the coast and the mountains of Ecuador, with their eternal rivalry. That's why, when I first visited Tottori City—in 2004—I was struck by the harmony in which the sea a ...
It all started when Mina Nishimura—my Japanese host parents' niece—told me she was going on an exchange program to Australia. I had shared some meals with her when she came to visit her uncle's house in Hirakata, the city where I lived and studied. Mean ...
Chronicle of an ascent to 3776 meters above sea level It was my third visit to Japan. I would spend all my savings on this trip, so I had to make the most of it. I asked for three weeks of vacation, which I consider the minimum time to enjoy Japan. ...
Summer has arrived, and travelers are heading to their favorite destinations. We are sure that Japan is among the most popular ones for many reasons. Not only because the Japanese yen is now cheaper, but also because of all the advantages any visitor can ...