Obon is a cherished time when families reunite to celebrate the memory of their ancestors. It’s believed that the spirits of loved ones return to visit during this period. Think Halloween meets Día de los Muertos—but with a very Japanese touch of gratitude, family, and celebration.

Today, as we celebrate Mountain Day, let’s look at some statistics about Japan’s geography.  According to the Ministry of the Environment: Government of Japan, forests cover 67% of Japan’s total land area, and mountains and hills cover 70%.  70% is a lot of space to be covered by mountains. 

Umi no Hi, also known as Marine Day, is celebrated annually on the third Monday of July.  As a maritime country, Japan has a deep connection with the ocean, and although the holiday itself has only been officially recognized for 20 years, its history dates back much further.

If you’re traveling in Japan in June and notice fancy cuts of beef, sleek sake bottles, and heartfelt greeting cards filling store displays, you’ve likely stumbled upon Father’s Day in Japan, known locally as 父の日 (Chichi no Hi). Celebrated on the third Sunday of June, this day is a special occasion to honor fathers and father figures across the country—with a uniquely Japanese twist.

Like Giving Tuesday, World Caring Day serves as a catalyst for inspiring acts of kindness and highlighting the various ways people show kindness.  While it isn’t regulated to a single day, some people need a nudge to recognize how they are caring.  Some kind souls don’t see helping others as a caring act, but rather as something that is just a part of their character or daily routine. 

Mothers and mother figures are an important part of most of our journeys. Whether a birth mother, stepmother, or someone who you view in a maternal light, today is a perfect day to honor them. Today, in Japan, America, Canada, and other countries, we celebrate Mother’s Day. While we are all familiar with Mother’s Day, worldwide, we don’t celebrate it on the same day. Some countries celebrate it in March, while others, like us, celebrate it on the 2nd Sunday in May.

Pay It Forward is a term that many of us have heard.  However, do you know the meaning behind it?  The easiest way to define paying it forward is receiving money or help from someone and feeling moved to ‘pay it forward’ to the next person.  If this feeling compels the next person, the result is usually a long chain of people helping the next person.  The ‘pay’ can be the same thing you received or something that you see someone needs.  

What’s two in Japanese?  Ni.  What sound do cats make in Japanese?  Nyah.  When February 22nd is said in Japanese ni ni ni (2-2-2), its soun