New Year (Shōgatsu)
1. How do you typically celebrate New Year in Japan?
2. What are some traditional foods you enjoy during Shōgatsu?
3. Do you have any special rituals or customs for New Year's Day?
4. How do you prepare your home for the New Year celebration?
5. What is your favorite New Year’s memory?
6. How do you spend the first few days of the New Year?
7. What are the significance and meaning behind the decorations used during New Year?
8. How do you feel about the tradition of sending New Year’s cards (nengajo)?
9. Do you participate in any New Year’s festivals or events?
10. What are some common resolutions people make for the New Year in Japan?
Setsubun
1. How do you celebrate Setsubun in your household?
2. What’s your favorite way to enjoy ehomaki (rolled sushi) during Setsubun?
3. What do you think about the tradition of throwing beans to drive away evil spirits?
4. How do you feel about the meaning behind Setsubun and its connection to the changing seasons?
5. Do you have any special rituals for warding off bad luck during Setsubun?
6. How do you involve your family in the celebration of Setsubun?
7. What’s a memorable experience you’ve had during this holiday?
8. How do you educate younger generations about the significance of Setsubun?
9. What other traditions do you associate with the arrival of spring?
10. How do you feel about the blend of traditional and modern practices during Setsubun?
Hinamatsuri (Doll Festival)
1. How do you celebrate Hinamatsuri in your family?
2. What traditional foods do you enjoy during Hinamatsuri?
3. Do you have a favorite doll set for Hinamatsuri?
4. How do you feel about the significance of the dolls displayed during this holiday?
5. What’s your favorite memory related to Hinamatsuri?
6. How do you involve children in the celebration of Hinamatsuri?
7. What are the traditional colors or themes associated with Hinamatsuri?
8. How do you feel about the messages of health and happiness that Hinamatsuri promotes?
9. What’s your opinion on modern adaptations of Hinamatsuri celebrations?
10. How do you educate others about the customs and significance of Hinamatsuri?
Tanabata (Star Festival)
1. How do you celebrate Tanabata in your community?
2. What are some wishes you’ve written on tanzaku (wish strips)?
3. How do you feel about the story of Orihime and Hikoboshi during Tanabata?
4. Do you have any special decorations for Tanabata?
5. What’s your favorite memory associated with Tanabata celebrations?
6. How do you educate others about the significance of Tanabata?
7. What are the traditional foods or treats enjoyed during Tanabata?
8. How do you feel about the role of festivals and community events during Tanabata?
9. What’s your favorite place to see Tanabata decorations?
10. How do you feel about the mix of modern and traditional celebrations for Tanabata?
Obon
1. How do you celebrate Obon in your family?
2. What are some traditional foods you prepare for Obon?
3. How do you honor your ancestors during Obon?
4. What’s your favorite memory associated with Obon celebrations?
5. How do you feel about the Bon Odori (folk dances) during Obon?
6. Do you have any special rituals or customs for the Obon festival?
7. What’s your opinion on the importance of remembering family heritage during Obon?
8. How do you educate younger generations about the significance of Obon?
9. What traditional decorations do you use for Obon?
10. How do you incorporate modern practices into your Obon celebrations?
Shichi-Go-San (Seven-Five-Three)
1. How do you celebrate Shichi-Go-San in your family?
2. What special clothing do children wear for Shichi-Go-San?
3. What’s your favorite memory from celebrating Shichi-Go-San?
4. How do you feel about the significance of this holiday for children’s growth?
5. What traditional foods do you enjoy during Shichi-Go-San?
6. How do you choose a shrine to visit for Shichi-Go-San celebrations?
7. What’s your opinion on the importance of the blessings given to children during this holiday?
8. How do you involve the children in the preparations for Shichi-Go-San?
9. What are the common gifts or tokens given to children during this celebration?
10. How do you incorporate modern influences into your Shichi-Go-San celebrations?
Christmas in Japan
1. How do you celebrate Christmas in your household?
2. What’s your favorite Christmas dish or treat enjoyed during the holiday?
3. How do you feel about the way Christmas is celebrated in Japan compared to Western countries?
4. What’s your favorite Christmas memory?
5. How do you decorate your home for Christmas?
6. What gifts do you typically give or receive during the holiday?
7. How do you feel about the commercialization of Christmas in Japan?
8. What’s your opinion on Christmas events or parties in your community?
9. How do you incorporate traditional Japanese customs into your Christmas celebrations?
10. What’s a unique aspect of Christmas that you enjoy in Japan?
Children's Day (Kodomo no Hi)
1. How do you celebrate Children’s Day in your family?
2. What traditions do you follow to honor children on this day?
3. What’s your favorite memory associated with Children’s Day?
4. How do you feel about the significance of koinobori (carp streamers) for this holiday?
5. What special foods do you prepare for Children’s Day?
6. How do you educate younger generations about the importance of Children’s Day?
7. What activities do you do with children on this holiday?
8. How do you involve the community in celebrating Children’s Day?
9. What’s your opinion on the way Children’s Day promotes health and happiness for children?
10. How do you feel about combining modern practices with traditional celebrations on Children’s Day?
Respect for the Aged Day (Keiro no Hi)
1. How do you celebrate Respect for the Aged Day in your community?
2. What activities do you plan for elderly family members on this day?
3. How do you feel about the significance of honoring the elderly in Japanese culture?
4. What’s your favorite memory related to Respect for the Aged Day?
5. How do you educate younger generations about the importance of this holiday?
6. What special foods do you prepare for elderly family members on this day?
7. How do you incorporate community events into your celebrations for the elderly?
8. What’s your opinion on the ways to promote health and well-being for senior citizens?
9. How do you express gratitude and appreciation to the elderly during this holiday?
10. How do you feel about the balance between modern practices and traditional customs on Respect for the Aged Day?
National Holidays
1. How do you feel about having national holidays in Japan?
2. What’s your favorite national holiday and why?
3. How do you usually spend your national holidays?
4. What’s your opinion on the significance of national holidays in promoting culture?
5. How do you feel about the way national holidays are celebrated in different regions of Japan?
6. What activities do you enjoy doing on national holidays?
7. How do you incorporate family traditions into national holiday celebrations?
8. What’s a memorable experience you’ve had during a national holiday?
9. How do you educate others about the importance of national holidays?
10. What are your thoughts on modern interpretations of traditional national holidays?
