Japan, like many other countries, celebrates this wonderful spooky event. But just as every nation adds its own flair to this Irish-origin holiday, Japan has thoroughly adapted and curated its own unique version of the ghostly tradition. Festivities now start as early as the beginning of October and climax on the 31st.

Dwarves, fairies, ghouls, demons—mythical creatures have filled our world and our storybooks, sometimes whimsical and sometimes dark. It’s not surprising that a country like Japan has its own versions of supernatural beings—Yōkai, whose legends are still talked about to this day. With the rise of anime adaptations, it’s no wonder that the tales of Yōkai have found their way back into people’s imaginations—this time through cosplay. Let’s take a dive into the world of Yōkai Fe

The United States-Japan Foundation’s signature initiative, the US-Japan Leadership Program (USJLP), is now accepting applications for its 2026–2027 Delegate cohort through Monday, January 5, 2026. Since its founding in 2000, USJLP has brought together emerging and established leaders from both nations to build trust, foster dialogue, and shape a more connected, collaborative future.

As October slowly approaches November, cool winds make their way into the air. Suddenly, you feel a craving for something warm and filling to quell your chills. With shops filling shelves with hot soups and oden, what's more heart-warming than a pot of nabe? Every cold month, this versatile dish finds its way onto every dining table, offering exactly what you need to warm yourself up. 

As we step into autumn and the weather gets a little chillier, it’s officially nabe season.  What is nabe?  Nabe refers to hot pot dishes prepared in a pot that is also called a nabe.

As summer fades and cool breezes begin to sweep across Japan, conversations often turn to Jūgoya (十五夜), also called Tsukimi or Otsukimi, meaning “moon-viewing.”

JECO—short for Jaladurgam’s Eco—is my way of saying “this belongs to me, but also to all of us.” Eco, for me, isn’t just the environment—it’s the culture we create around it. I first felt its urgency through Climate Fresk that revealed how deeply human actions intertwine with environmental impact. Later, in Tokyo, I thrived in vibrant climate communities, weekends filled with ideas and energy.

Every year in Japan, there are two very special days when day and night are perfectly equal in length: the spring equinox in March and the autumn equinox in September. Both of these days are public holidays, but they’re also tied to a Buddhist tradition called O-Higan (お彼岸).