Author: Ari Gorney

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G'Day Japan! / Ari Gorney

A Body Slam into the world of Sumo

Culture Avatar photo Ari Gorney

Martial Arts and Japan have a rich, deep and beautiful history together, so it is to no surprise that Sumo wrestling is Japan’s national sport. Sumo is one of Japan’s most well-known sports, and a highly authentic Japanese cultural experience in and of itself. The sport from the offset seems quite … Read More

“Cash is King” and the “IC Card is Queen”

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In Japan, the saying is “Cash is King”, with the society being so reliant of using physical money for purchases such as restaurants, supermarkets, and a multitude of other locations. But if the saying goes “Cash is King” then in recent times certainly it can be said that the “IC Card is Queen” with… Read More

Setsubun: Out with the Old, in with the Ogres

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An aspect of Japan that I absolutely love is that there are very distinct seasons. Unlike Australia, where you could have winter and summer on the same day, Japan has four well defined seasons: spring, summer, autumn, and winter. It is refreshing to see a change of season almost in an instant, from… Read More

The History and Traditions of New Year’s Cuisine

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あけましておめでとうございます (Akemashite omedetou gozaimasu)。 今年もよろしくお願いします (Kotoshi mo yoroshiku onegaishimasu)。 Happy New Year! We look forward for you to join us again this year and reading through our content. The year 2021 has arrived, and the New Year in Japan one of th… Read More

A history of the Kanji of the Year

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On December 12 2020, all eyes were on Kiyomizudera Temple in Kyoto where the "Kanji of the Year" was revealed to the public who voted on choosing what best represents that year. Seihan Mori, the head abbot of the temple, took his usual place in front of a blank board on the site’s famous balcony, r… Read More

Discovering the local Cuisine of Shikoku

Kochi Food and Drink Avatar photo Ari Gorney

Hidden away below Okayama prefecture lies the island of Shikoku, and the 4 prefectures that consist of it. Ehime, Kanagawa, Tokushima and Kochi Prefecture. Shikoku is the smallest of the 4 major islands of Japan, and due to the limited transportation options, and lack of Shinkansen line running thr… Read More

Mount Koya: The monastery settlement of Japan

Wakayama Discover Avatar photo Ari Gorney

Located in the heart of Wakayama prefecture, on top of a mountain, lies a village tucked away from the hustle and bustle of nearby Osaka City. Here you will find a huge temple settlement known as Mount Koya (高野山, Kōyasan), which is the centre of Shingon Buddhism, an important Buddhist sect which… Read More