Kinokuniya just opened this summer its newest store in the US smack in the middle of downtown Portland. The new bookstore is in the old Guild Theatre, which had been left unused for the last 12 years. Kinokuniya has breathed new life into the historic space, and initial reports indicate that Portlanders love the change. The Guild Theatre opened in 1927, which, coincidentally, is...
Ever wonder what your beloved pet’s name would look like in Chinese characters, or kanji? We pick one pet photo and render the pet’s name in kanji. Cookie 焼 This kanji means “bake.” Baking makes the ingredients yummier and more fragrant. 菓 This one indicates “sweets.” Confections enrich and brighten our lives. 子 This kanji indicates a child. In Japanese, “cookie” is written “焼菓子”...
Moe Yagihara is an exchange student from Japan. She offered us some cool tips for the best back-to-school items from Japan. Everything mentioned here can be purchased at the Kinokuniya store in Seattle. Mild Liner/Sarasa from Zebra The hashtag #studygram, which is a portmanteau of “study” and “Instagram,” was trending among teenagers recently. With this hashtag, students share pictures of their organized and colorful...
Nara is rich in history. About 1,300 years ago – before Kyoto became the capital – Nara was the center of politics and culture in Japan with a population of around 100,000 in a sprawling 25 square kilometers (about 6,200 acres). Nara’s imperial palace was called Heijo-kyo, and the remains of that palace can still be viewed today. Other sights in the city include...
Step into Nana’s Green Tea in Seattle’s Denny Triangle, and you’re stepping into a deconstructed Japanese teahouse. The stylish store, created by the same interior designer who has conceived of many of the more than 80 Nana’s stores in Japan, is meant to evoke a feeling of calm, an appreciation of nature, and an awareness of the senses, just as a traditional teahouse does....
Autumn is a time to celebrate the year’s harvest and enjoy some succulent in-season specialties. The weather turns cooler, we don sweaters, and our appetites start to come back. It’s a great time for cooking. In Japan, autumn is a time for grilled mackerel, matsutake mushrooms, eggplant, newly harvested rice, nashi pears, and much more. The Japanese word “shun,” which means “in season,” is...
Comparing Morning Meals in Japan & Taiwan If you’re planning a trip to Japan, why not add one more destination to your trip? This might not be the right time to travel to Hong Kong, and popular Southeast Asian destinations like Bangkok are an extra seven-hour flight from Tokyo. Here’s our recommendation: take a 3.5-hour flight to Taiwan. Taiwan may be a short flight...
SEATTLE (September 15, 2019)—Ichiro Suzuki delivered one last time for the SeattleMariners fans. This time, it wasn’t a game-winning hit, a stolen base, or a wall-crashing catch. This time, Ichiro delivered a speech in English. And it was good. As Ichiro approached the podium in front of the pitcher’s mound a few minutes before the Mariners played the Chicago White Sox, the crowd at...
