JAPAN
Illustration of Takahiro Takiguchi

(Illustration by Yukiyo Oda/Stripes Japan)

According to Japanese tradition, you are supposed to present certain kinds of money in certain envelopes when you attend a wedding, funeral or memorial service. For a wedding, wrap crisp and new, unfolded bills in a red and white envelope. For a funeral or any memorial service, enclose rather old and not clean bills in a black and white envelope. Red and white for weddings, black and white for funerals – now, don’t forget!

Higashi (east in Japanese kanji character)

Higashi (east) (Illustration by Stripes Japan)

Takahiro Takiguchi is a writer based in Yokosuka, Japan. Takiguchi covers travel, food and culture stories for Stars and Stripes Japan. Follow along as Takiguchi takes readers to less crowded destinations around the mainland, you might also catch him out and about recording Speakin’ Japanese lesson videos for Instagram.

The best stories from the Pacific, in your inbox

Sign up for our weekly newsletter of articles from Japan, Korea, Guam, and Okinawa with travel tips, restaurant reviews, recipes, community and event news, and more.

Sign Up Now