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 Japan has the highest number of vending machines (自動販売機) in the world per capita. Machines are stocked with the broadest range of merchandise. Here is only some of examples:

Vending machine selling umbrellas (傘)


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今年の新語流行語大賞のトップテン

1. ゲゲゲの ("GeGeGe no") -- A nickname for Shigeru Mizuki.
2. いい質問ですねぇ ("That's a good question...") -- A catch phrase from a popular journalist, Akira Ikegami who asks celebrities their views on hot topics.
3. イクメン ("Ikumen") -- A new popular word for a man who raises kids.
4. AKB48 -- 48-member all-girl idol group.
5. 女子会 ("Jyoshikai") -- Used for when ( Read more... )

Tamagotchi is back. The portable electronic "baby," which can grow into various characters if given tender loving care, but could fall deathly ill if neglected, is popular again.

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In Japan
According to tradition, the year's shortest day and longest night should be celebrated by
soaking in a yuzu (柚子) citron hot bath, and eating squash (南瓜) kabocha.
(冬至)日中の長さが最も短くなるこの日、ユズ湯に入り、カボチャを食べるのが日本の習慣


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From 17th to 19th it is time to buy Hago-ita (羽子板) at Senso-ji (浅草寺)Temple in Tokyo (東京)
Hagoita (羽子板) are decorated paddles for a traditional game Hanetsuki (羽根突き).

Fairs selling them are held throughout the country around the middle of the month. The annual market at Senso-ji (浅草寺)Temple in Tokyo (東京) is especially famous
(www.senso-ji.jp/index2 ( Read more... )

1月 - 睦月（むつき）
2月 - 如月 （きさらぎ）衣更着
3月 - 弥生（やよい）
4月 - 卯月（うづき）
5月 - 皐月 （さつき）早月
6月 - 水無月（みなづき）
7月 - 文月（ふみつき）
8月 - 葉月（はづき）
9月 - 長月（ながつき）
10月 - 神無月（かんなづき)
11月 - 霜月（しもつき）
12月 - 師走（しわす)

Modern names:
January 一月 (ichigatsu ( Read more... )

 
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13日～ 煤払い（すすはらい）.大掃除 (おおそうじ）

Japan Calendar. from 13th of December till the end of the month
Susu-harai(thorough cleaning)


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今年の漢字は暑.
Japanese chose character of 2010 which is "hot" (sho) because of heatwave, Chile miners disaster etc


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