interesting (personality, turn of phrase, etc.); pleasantly different; tasteful; attractive; charming
torii (Shinto shrine archway)
the West; the Occident; Western countries
(ceremonial) arrow used to drive off evil
amazake; sweet drink made from fermented rice or sake lees
hakama; pleated skirt or loose-legged trousers worn over a kimono mainly on ceremonial occasions; (leaf) sheath; (sake bottle) stand
Shinto priest; Shinto priesthood
killing time; keeping oneself occupied; wasting time; waste of time
well done!; good job!; good work!; you did it!; bravo!
calm; peace; serenity; composure; equanimity; presence of mind
briefly; in short; in a nutshell; in summary; to put it briefly
labour shortage; labor shortage; shortage of workers; shortage of hands
success; boom; being well-attended (of an event); prosperity
word of mouth; comments written online (about a product, service, etc.); online reviews
making a loss; incurring a deficit
inorganic; inorganic chemistry; inorganic compound; inorganic matter
cave; cavern; den; grotto
either way; in any case; one way or another
short sleeved kimono (worn as an undergarment during the Heian period); padded silk garment
hair style; coiffure; hairdo
leather strap; thong; leash
(very) selfish; self-centered; self-centred; without consulting anybody (else)
selling out; being sold out
twelve o'clock; midnight; noon
break room; lounge (e.g. in an onsen); resting room
to lose composure; to be upset; to be flurried; to lose one's head (through shock)
charge; duty; person in charge; official; clerk
to go together; to go in company (with); to go along (with)
temple bell rung 108 times on New Year's Eve
illumination; decorative lighting
drinking party; get-together (usu. involving alcoholic drinks)
to say a word; to say something; to speak briefly; to give a quick holler; to let (someone) know
to feel nostalgic for the past; to look back fondly on the old days; to yearn for days gone by
(at) the beginning of the New Year; early in the New Year