Uchikura & Co Blog
2026-06-11
Melon Pan: A Japanese Bread with a Curious Name One of my favorite treats to pick up in Japan is Melon Pan. If you have never seen one before, it looks like a sweet bun with a crisp, cookie-like crus...
2026-06-10
One Japanese Phrase, Two Opposite Meanings One of the fascinating things about the Japanese language is how much meaning depends on context. A perfect example is the expression: 「人の嫌がることを進んでする」(H...
2026-06-10
Trust and Contracts People often describe Japan as a “trust-based society” while they see the U.S. as a “contract-based society.” When people hear this, sometimes they assume it means Japanese people ...
2026-06-09
Japan's Industrial Power on Display On my way from Kansai International Airport to Osaka, I was struck by the sight of the Sakai-Senboku Coastal Industrial Zone. Massive storage tanks, refineries, po...
2026-06-09
My Arrival at Kansai International Airport I arrived at Kansai International Airport (KIX) yesterday and was reminded why I enjoy flying into this airport. KIX is one of Japan's major international g...
2026-06-08
We were saddened to hear about the powerful earthquake that struck the Philippines. On behalf of PSPINC and myself, I would like to extend our thoughts and prayers to everyone affected. We hope for...
2026-06-08
Hiding Your Head, But Not Your Tail One of my favorite Japanese sayings is “Atama Kakushite Shiri Kakusazu” (頭隠して尻隠さず), which literally means “Hiding your head, but not your tail.” The expression...
2026-06-07
Forgotten Car Company of Japan When people think about Japanese automobile manufacturers, names like Toyota, Nissan, Honda, and Mazda usually come to mind. Few people today remember Prince Motor Co...
2026-06-07
Getting Ready for My Trip to Japan I am getting ready for my trip to Japan, departing on June 8. Even after many trips, I always find it helpful to make a checklist before leaving. There is nothing...
2026-06-06
Miyamoto Musashi's Five Scrolls and Lessons for Life Most people know Miyamoto Musashi as Japan's greatest swordsman. Near the end of his life, he wrote The Book of Five Rings (Go Rin No Sho), a gu...