{ "version": "https://jsonfeed.org/version/1", "title": "Hello! from Rick Cogley", "icon": "https://cdn.micro.blog/rickcogley/avatar.jpg", "home_page_url": "https://cogley.jp/", "feed_url": "https://cogley.jp/feed.json", "items": [ { "id": "http://rickcogley.micro.blog/2025/11/14/we-updated-and-upgraded-esolias.html", "content_html": "

We updated and upgraded eSolia’s Japan Emergency Information pages. Help a visitor to or resident in Japan by sharing! 🚑

\n", "date_published": "2025-11-14T14:40:31+09:00", "date_modified": "2026-01-04T17:26:58+09:00", "url": "https://cogley.jp/2025/11/14/we-updated-and-upgraded-esolias.html" }, { "id": "http://rickcogley.micro.blog/2025/11/02/gosh-what-an-exciting-world.html", "content_html": "

Gosh what an exciting World Series. Dodgers and Blue Jays were both stellar and it was a nail biter until the end! Congrats LAD! 💦⚾️

\n", "date_published": "2025-11-02T15:08:04+09:00", "date_modified": "2026-01-04T17:26:58+09:00", "url": "https://cogley.jp/2025/11/02/gosh-what-an-exciting-world.html" }, { "id": "http://rickcogley.micro.blog/2025/11/01/exciting-world-series-this-year.html", "content_html": "

Exciting World Series this year! On to game 7! 🏟️⚾️

\n", "date_published": "2025-11-01T12:16:49+09:00", "date_modified": "2026-01-04T17:26:58+09:00", "url": "https://cogley.jp/2025/11/01/exciting-world-series-this-year.html" }, { "id": "http://rickcogley.micro.blog/2025/10/26/when-you-change-your-domains.html", "content_html": "

When you change your domain’s DNS (NS records), you can flush the records in major DNS providers to force a quicker propagation:

\n\n", "date_published": "2025-10-26T14:17:08+09:00", "date_modified": "2026-01-04T17:26:58+09:00", "url": "https://cogley.jp/2025/10/26/when-you-change-your-domains.html" }, { "id": "http://rickcogley.micro.blog/2025/09/07/visited-osaka-expo-on-sept.html", "content_html": "

Visited Osaka Expo 2025 on 6 Sept with 220,000 others. It was hot and crowded but ultimately a good time thanks to A’s planning and a little luck.

\n\"A\n", "date_published": "2025-09-07T18:46:31+09:00", "date_modified": "2026-01-04T17:26:58+09:00", "url": "https://cogley.jp/2025/09/07/visited-osaka-expo-on-sept.html" }, { "id": "http://rickcogley.micro.blog/2025/09/05/we-have-the-jalert-disaster.html", "content_html": "

We have the J-ALERT disaster warning system here in Japan which pushes mobile alerts regarding quakes, floods etc. It makes a big racket when a train car of phones get an alert! 💥

\n", "date_published": "2025-09-05T15:20:30+09:00", "date_modified": "2026-01-04T17:26:58+09:00", "url": "https://cogley.jp/2025/09/05/we-have-the-jalert-disaster.html" }, { "id": "http://rickcogley.micro.blog/2025/09/05/a-and-i-are-heading.html", "content_html": "

A and I are heading to Osaka to visit the Expo. Of course a typhoon was coming up as we were heading down so there was a delay but we are moving now. Oh and there’s a pet bird chirping away. 🚄🐤

\n", "date_published": "2025-09-05T15:09:56+09:00", "date_modified": "2026-01-04T17:26:58+09:00", "url": "https://cogley.jp/2025/09/05/a-and-i-are-heading.html" }, { "id": "http://rickcogley.micro.blog/2025/06/25/did-you-know-you-can.html", "content_html": "

Did you know you can add your Japan My Number card to your Apple Wallet? You can, using your MyNaPortal app. 🧐

\n\"A\n", "date_published": "2025-06-25T14:16:51+09:00", "date_modified": "2026-01-04T17:26:58+09:00", "url": "https://cogley.jp/2025/06/25/did-you-know-you-can.html" }, { "id": "http://rickcogley.micro.blog/2025/06/24/i-use-git-and-git.html", "content_html": "

I use git and git clients daily, and a recent one I really like is the fast and featureful fork. It’s available for MacOS or Windows, and “just works”. ⋔⌨️⋔

\n\"A\n", "date_published": "2025-06-24T20:32:54+09:00", "date_modified": "2026-01-04T17:26:58+09:00", "url": "https://cogley.jp/2025/06/24/i-use-git-and-git.html" }, { "id": "http://rickcogley.micro.blog/2025/06/18/japan-visitors-its-supposed-to.html", "content_html": "

Japan visitors, it’s supposed to be rainy season, but instead we have a heat stroke alert in Kanto. Take it seriously, stay cool, don’t push too hard! 🥵

\n", "date_published": "2025-06-18T10:10:16+09:00", "date_modified": "2026-01-04T17:26:58+09:00", "url": "https://cogley.jp/2025/06/18/japan-visitors-its-supposed-to.html" }, { "id": "http://rickcogley.micro.blog/2025/06/09/my-team-at-esolia-published.html", "content_html": "

My team at eSolia published a couple new blog posts, on checking your laptop battery health and asking AI about IT terms. Check them out! 😎

\n", "date_published": "2025-06-09T11:50:50+09:00", "date_modified": "2026-01-04T17:26:58+09:00", "url": "https://cogley.jp/2025/06/09/my-team-at-esolia-published.html" }, { "id": "http://rickcogley.micro.blog/2025/06/02/on-nd-june-in-years.html", "content_html": "

On 2nd June in 1859 (166 years ago), the Yokohama port opened for business, after the US-Japan trade agreement the following year. I’ve been fortunate to live here in Yokohama for years now, and enjoy the international feeling of especially the port areas of Sakuragicho and Kannai. ⚓️

\n", "date_published": "2025-06-02T12:36:39+09:00", "date_modified": "2026-01-04T17:26:58+09:00", "url": "https://cogley.jp/2025/06/02/on-nd-june-in-years.html" }, { "id": "http://rickcogley.micro.blog/2025/06/02/do-you-feel-an-age.html", "content_html": "

Do you feel an age or generation gap working with people from younger or older generations? I know I do. I’d love to hear your experiences. Δ

\n", "date_published": "2025-06-02T12:26:35+09:00", "date_modified": "2026-01-04T17:26:58+09:00", "url": "https://cogley.jp/2025/06/02/do-you-feel-an-age.html" }, { "id": "http://rickcogley.micro.blog/2025/06/02/theres-a-phone-from-ntt.html", "content_html": "

There’s a 1963 phone from NTT called the “model 600”, very much like the Bell model 500, which you can view among others at the NTT History Center of Technologies in Musashino, in west Tokyo. I hope to visit some day. ☎️

\n", "date_published": "2025-06-02T11:18:36+09:00", "date_modified": "2026-01-04T17:26:58+09:00", "url": "https://cogley.jp/2025/06/02/theres-a-phone-from-ntt.html" }, { "id": "http://rickcogley.micro.blog/2025/06/02/a-few-months-ago-i.html", "content_html": "

A few months ago I learned about Tilley and Dreyfuss’ work “The Measure of Man and Woman” which if you think on it, was just so revolutionary. Design barely even considered measurements of people prior to this, but now it’s ubiquitous. 👫

\n", "date_published": "2025-06-02T10:03:55+09:00", "date_modified": "2026-01-04T17:26:58+09:00", "url": "https://cogley.jp/2025/06/02/a-few-months-ago-i.html" }, { "id": "http://rickcogley.micro.blog/2025/06/02/we-are-debating-finally-cancelling.html", "content_html": "

We are debating finally cancelling the landline in our house, which made me think of the phone icon which was designed with the Bell Model 500 in mind. I wonder when this icon will become incomprehensible to younger people? In 10 years? 20? 📞📱

\n", "date_published": "2025-06-02T09:39:56+09:00", "date_modified": "2026-01-04T17:26:58+09:00", "url": "https://cogley.jp/2025/06/02/we-are-debating-finally-cancelling.html" }, { "id": "http://rickcogley.micro.blog/2025/05/31/my-firm-just-launched-our.html", "content_html": "

My firm just launched our new “Tech It Easy” blog with IT tips in English and Japanese from our team members, like this post on keyboard shortcuts. We hope it might come in handy. 😎

\n", "date_published": "2025-05-31T08:47:54+09:00", "date_modified": "2026-01-04T17:26:58+09:00", "url": "https://cogley.jp/2025/05/31/my-firm-just-launched-our.html" }, { "id": "http://rickcogley.micro.blog/2025/05/09/version-of-the-static-site.html", "content_html": "

Version 3 of the static site generator Lume was released after a Herculean dev cycle. It’s an incredibly flexible and powerful SSG written in Typescript by Óscar Otero.

\n", "date_published": "2025-05-09T04:25:13+09:00", "date_modified": "2026-01-04T17:26:58+09:00", "url": "https://cogley.jp/2025/05/09/version-of-the-static-site.html" }, { "id": "http://rickcogley.micro.blog/2025/03/31/when-our-tree-flowers-and.html", "content_html": "

When our tree flowers and I start hearing uguisu calls, I always feel spring has come. 🌸

\n\"A\n", "date_published": "2025-03-31T17:34:47+09:00", "date_modified": "2026-01-04T17:26:58+09:00", "url": "https://cogley.jp/2025/03/31/when-our-tree-flowers-and.html" }, { "id": "http://rickcogley.micro.blog/2025/03/23/saw-wicked-on-broadway-a.html", "content_html": "

Saw Wicked on Broadway a few years ago with A, and now we saw the IMAX movie. Theater buffs will like that It’s chock full of cameos of the original stage performers and even the writers. Casting and performances were on point, with lots of humor. 💚🩷

\n\"A\n", "date_published": "2025-03-23T06:32:17+09:00", "date_modified": "2026-01-04T17:26:58+09:00", "url": "https://cogley.jp/2025/03/23/saw-wicked-on-broadway-a.html" }, { "id": "http://rickcogley.micro.blog/2025/03/15/i-loved-think-again-by.html", "content_html": "\n

I loved Think Again by Adam Grant 📚. I’m going to set aside regular time for re-thinking, try to abandon best practices, and “not get stranded at the summit of Mt. Stupid.” 😅

\n", "date_published": "2025-03-15T12:01:03+09:00", "date_modified": "2026-01-04T17:26:58+09:00", "url": "https://cogley.jp/2025/03/15/i-loved-think-again-by.html" }, { "id": "http://rickcogley.micro.blog/2025/03/15/some-of-the-fam-went.html", "content_html": "

Some of the fam went to Sapporo and Otaru in Hokkaido. I had to work, but they brought some hanasaki crab and we ate it last night. Wow, it’s reaally good! 🦀

\n", "date_published": "2025-03-15T11:57:15+09:00", "date_modified": "2026-01-04T17:26:58+09:00", "url": "https://cogley.jp/2025/03/15/some-of-the-fam-went.html" }, { "id": "http://rickcogley.micro.blog/2025/02/23/learned-about-our-local-evac.html", "content_html": "

Learned about our local evac center’s “Hamakko Toilet” at today’s event. It’s a sewage pipe you fill with pool water at one end, set toilets above opened man holes, and periodically flush by opening a big valve at the other end. 🚽🚽

\n

\"A\"A\"A

\n", "date_published": "2025-02-23T20:45:45+09:00", "date_modified": "2026-01-04T17:26:58+09:00", "url": "https://cogley.jp/2025/02/23/learned-about-our-local-evac.html" }, { "id": "http://rickcogley.micro.blog/2025/02/23/had-a-local-disaster-prevention.html", "content_html": "

Had a local disaster prevention event today. A civil servant / volunteer fireman said we should not assume Yokohama city will prepare enough food or supplies, and that we need to ready our own. A sobering thought! 🧯🚒

\n

\"A\"A

\n", "date_published": "2025-02-23T20:38:27+09:00", "date_modified": "2026-01-04T17:26:58+09:00", "url": "https://cogley.jp/2025/02/23/had-a-local-disaster-prevention.html" }, { "id": "http://rickcogley.micro.blog/2025/02/20/if-you-do-any-system.html", "content_html": "

If you do any system admin and use the terminal, starship.rs is a really easy value add. For instance if you’re in a vps that just has bash installed, running the starship installer gets you a decent prompt in 10 sec.

\n\"A\n", "date_published": "2025-02-20T16:32:04+09:00", "date_modified": "2026-01-04T17:26:58+09:00", "url": "https://cogley.jp/2025/02/20/if-you-do-any-system.html" }, { "id": "http://rickcogley.micro.blog/2025/02/19/webtoolboxdev-is-an-excellent-convenient.html", "content_html": "

Web-toolbox.dev is an excellent & convenient bilingual English/Japanese site for web devs by K (thanks!), with various tools for generation, encoding, SEO, text. 🛠️

\n\"A\n", "date_published": "2025-02-19T11:06:16+09:00", "date_modified": "2026-01-04T17:26:58+09:00", "url": "https://cogley.jp/2025/02/19/webtoolboxdev-is-an-excellent-convenient.html" }, { "id": "http://rickcogley.micro.blog/2025/02/18/i-want-to-learn-more.html", "content_html": "\n

I want to learn more about storytelling, and The Perfect Story by Karen Eber 📚 has been great so far. The author posted on LinkedIn about a new Japanese translation, which you can find here.

\n", "date_published": "2025-02-18T10:36:41+09:00", "date_modified": "2026-01-04T17:26:58+09:00", "url": "https://cogley.jp/2025/02/18/i-want-to-learn-more.html" }, { "id": "http://rickcogley.micro.blog/2025/02/18/i-searched-on-the-word.html", "content_html": "\n

I searched on the word “Hygge” after eating lunch at a cafe called that, and found this cozy little book on the topic: The Little Book of Hygge: Danish Secrets to Happy Living (The Happiness Institute Series) by Meik Wiking 📚

\n", "date_published": "2025-02-18T10:33:34+09:00", "date_modified": "2026-01-04T17:26:58+09:00", "url": "https://cogley.jp/2025/02/18/i-searched-on-the-word.html" }, { "id": "http://rickcogley.micro.blog/2025/02/16/our-dog-goes-to-daycare.html", "content_html": "

Our dog goes to daycare with a big unit of a black lab, whose human is French, so I decided to compile a French dog command list, with Japanese and English, to try to communicate next time we meet. Assis! 🐾

\n\"A\n", "date_published": "2025-02-16T11:30:58+09:00", "date_modified": "2026-01-04T17:26:58+09:00", "url": "https://cogley.jp/2025/02/16/our-dog-goes-to-daycare.html" }, { "id": "http://rickcogley.micro.blog/2025/02/14/happy-valentines-day-special-chocolate.html", "content_html": "

Happy Valentine’s Day 😍 special chocolate from Blue Cacao!

\n\"A\n", "date_published": "2025-02-14T20:57:55+09:00", "date_modified": "2026-01-04T17:26:58+09:00", "url": "https://cogley.jp/2025/02/14/happy-valentines-day-special-chocolate.html" }, { "id": "http://rickcogley.micro.blog/2025/02/13/i-really-enjoyed-and-found.html", "content_html": "\n

I really enjoyed and found insightful I Never Thought of It That Way by Mónica Guzmán. It will give you tips about how to bridge the divide in conversation with those you disagree with, and help you stay curious! 📚

\n", "date_published": "2025-02-13T09:02:55+09:00", "date_modified": "2026-01-04T17:26:58+09:00", "url": "https://cogley.jp/2025/02/13/i-really-enjoyed-and-found.html" }, { "id": "http://rickcogley.micro.blog/2025/01/31/went-to-kanda-daimyojin-shrine.html", "content_html": "

Went to Kanda Daimyojin shrine to receive New Year blessings for my firm eSolia. You fill a fill a form, tell what blessings you want (we chose business success and employee health), wear a special sash around your neck, and attend a 15 min ceremony. Let’s go! ⛩️🙏🏻

\n

\"A\"A

\n", "date_published": "2025-01-31T11:24:25+09:00", "date_modified": "2026-01-04T17:26:58+09:00", "url": "https://cogley.jp/2025/01/31/went-to-kanda-daimyojin-shrine.html" }, { "id": "http://rickcogley.micro.blog/2025/01/21/if-you-like-design-and.html", "content_html": "\n

If you like design and thinking about design, User Friendly by Cliff Kuang is a home run of a book. Just fantastic. You could follow its threads to study further, for a year. 📚

\n", "date_published": "2025-01-21T16:19:38+09:00", "date_modified": "2026-01-04T17:26:58+09:00", "url": "https://cogley.jp/2025/01/21/if-you-like-design-and.html" }, { "id": "http://rickcogley.micro.blog/2025/01/20/interestingly-heard-via-two-completely.html", "content_html": "

Interestingly heard via two completely separate conversations, D2’s husband and her best friend both are programming in python now in their careers; the former for data science, the latter for the back end of web sites. All that python setup nonsense gives me a rash, though. 🐍

\n", "date_published": "2025-01-20T09:43:40+09:00", "date_modified": "2026-01-04T17:26:58+09:00", "url": "https://cogley.jp/2025/01/20/interestingly-heard-via-two-completely.html" }, { "id": "http://rickcogley.micro.blog/2025/01/16/teamlab-planets-in-toyosu-was.html", "title": "TeamLab Planets in Toyosu was Fantastic", "content_html": "

Visited TeamLab Planets in Toyosu, and the whole fam loved it. It’s an interactive art and multimedia installation that you walk through and experience. Hanging orchids move away from you as you move in their space; mirrors and lights make it feel like you’re in space; video fish swim near you as you wade in water (it’s programmed and apparently random, not just running on a loop); large translucent rubber balls react to you as you push your way through them. Some of the areas had app interactivity, but, the app gave warnings about poor connectivity. Still, a really great and fun way to spend an afternoon! Walked 15 min to LalaPort after.

\n

\"A\"A\"People

\n", "date_published": "2025-01-16T16:58:52+09:00", "date_modified": "2026-01-04T17:26:58+09:00", "url": "https://cogley.jp/2025/01/16/teamlab-planets-in-toyosu-was.html", "tags": ["Articles","Japan"] }, { "id": "http://rickcogley.micro.blog/2025/01/16/a-few-years-back-i.html", "content_html": "

A few years back I took IDEO’s “Insights for Innovation” 5-week course, and just reviewed the assignment submissions. I did manage to implement what I wanted to, at eSolia, and think this course was worth it. 😄

\n", "date_published": "2025-01-16T16:34:06+09:00", "date_modified": "2026-01-04T17:26:58+09:00", "url": "https://cogley.jp/2025/01/16/a-few-years-back-i.html" }, { "id": "http://rickcogley.micro.blog/2025/01/16/renewed-my-japan-drivers-license.html", "content_html": "

Renewed my Japan drivers license at the Futamatagawa center. A pretty efficient process for the most part, though I feel a little traumatized after having watched their safety video which contained several actual scenes of cars hitting bicycles! Be safe out there, people. 🚙

\n", "date_published": "2025-01-16T16:27:52+09:00", "date_modified": "2026-01-04T17:26:58+09:00", "url": "https://cogley.jp/2025/01/16/renewed-my-japan-drivers-license.html" }, { "id": "http://rickcogley.micro.blog/2025/01/14/apples-image-playground-that-i.html", "content_html": "

Apple’s Image Playground (that I just got access to) would not make a fire-breathing Shiba for me, but it did set a Shiba’s tail on fire. 😜

\n\"A\n", "date_published": "2025-01-14T09:49:05+09:00", "date_modified": "2026-01-04T17:26:58+09:00", "url": "https://cogley.jp/2025/01/14/apples-image-playground-that-i.html" }, { "id": "http://rickcogley.micro.blog/2025/01/11/at-unitora-in-senkyakubanrai-toyosu.html", "content_html": "

At Unitora in Senkyaku-Banrai (Toyosu, Shijomae), before we go to TeamLab Planets. It was sooo good. 🍣

\n\"A\n", "date_published": "2025-01-11T13:04:35+09:00", "date_modified": "2026-01-04T17:26:58+09:00", "url": "https://cogley.jp/2025/01/11/at-unitora-in-senkyakubanrai-toyosu.html" }, { "id": "http://rickcogley.micro.blog/2025/01/07/for-my-birthday-what-i.html", "content_html": "

For my birthday (59! what?!) I got this Kanazawa-ya U-shaped pillow with wool stuffing. Ordered during their New Year sale, it came with a nice case (expected) and extra stuffing and a handkerchief to boot (a bonus!). It’s great! 😴 #金澤屋

\n\"A\n", "date_published": "2025-01-07T15:53:04+09:00", "date_modified": "2026-01-04T17:26:58+09:00", "url": "https://cogley.jp/2025/01/07/for-my-birthday-what-i.html" }, { "id": "http://rickcogley.micro.blog/2025/01/03/congrats-to-aoyama-gakuin-for.html", "content_html": "

Congrats to Aoyama Gakuin for their incredible run of the Hakone Ekiden in 10:40:20, a new record. 2nd Komazawa 2:50 back, 3rd Kokugakuin 9:29 back, edging Waseda! 🏃🏼‍♂️

\n", "date_published": "2025-01-03T13:31:26+09:00", "date_modified": "2026-01-04T17:26:58+09:00", "url": "https://cogley.jp/2025/01/03/congrats-to-aoyama-gakuin-for.html" }, { "id": "http://rickcogley.micro.blog/2025/01/01/japan-shrine-donation-amounts.html", "title": "Japan Shrine Donation Amounts", "content_html": "

Do you know how much money to give when you pray at a shrine in Japan? Read on to find out the standard good-luck and bad-luck amounts! ⛩️

\n\n

Visiting a shrine on the first days of the year is the 初詣 “hatsumode” tradition in Japan, but how much money should you toss in the coin box? The amounts (お賽銭 osaisen) you should and should not donate are steeped in goroawase word-play, where Yen or 円 “en” as we say, is used as a homophone for “縁” / “en” or fortune. Here’s the skinny on the yen amount (○ is good, × is bad), and bilingual explanations:

\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n
Japan Shrine donation yen amounts and their meanings:
\n\t\t\t\tStatus\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tYen Amount \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tJapanese\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tEnglish\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t○\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t5円\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tご縁がありますように\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tMay you have “go-en”\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t×\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t10円\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t円から遠ざかる\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tThe “en” will be far away\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t○\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t11円\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tいい縁がありますように\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tMay you have “ii en” \n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t○\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t15円\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t十分ご縁がありますように\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tMay you have “juubun” (enough) “go-en”\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t○\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t25円\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t二重にご縁がありますように\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tMay you have “niju (double the) go-en”.\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t○\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t45円\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t始終ご縁がありますように\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tMay you have neverending “go-en”\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t○\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t50円\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t五重のご縁がありますように\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tMay you have “go-ju” 5x “go-en”\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t○\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t55円\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t何時でもご縁がありますように\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tMay you have “go-en” anytime\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t×\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t65円\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tろくなご縁がない\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tYou’ll have lousy luck\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t×\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t75円\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t泣くようなご縁にあう\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tYou’ll have luck that will make you cry\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t×\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t95円\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t苦しいようなご縁にあう\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tYou’ll have luck that will cause you strife\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t○\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t100円\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t100の縁\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tMay you have 100x the “en”\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t○\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t115円\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tいいご縁がありますように\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tMay you have “ii” “go-en”\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t○\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t125円\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t十二分のご縁がありますように\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tMay you have 12x the “go-en”\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t○\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t415円\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t良いご縁がありますように\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tMay you have “yoi” “go-en”\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t○\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t485円\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t四方八方からご縁がありますように\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tMay you have “go-en” from all directions\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t×\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t500円\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tこれ以上大きな硬貨（効果）がない\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tThere’s nothing bigger than this coin (homonym for “effect”)\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t○\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t2951円\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t福来い！\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tMay luck “fuku” come “koi”\n\t\t\t
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To wrap up, here’s a super quick guide on how to pray at a Japan shrine:

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    \n
  1. Wait in line and step up to the coin box, when it’s your turn. If there are four hanging ropes and three people ahead of you, it’s ok to join them.
    2. \n
  2. Toss the coins into the saisen-bako (donation box).
    3. \n
  3. Shake the rope to call attention from the gods.
    4. \n
  4. Bow twice.
    5. \n
  5. Clap twice.
    6. \n
  6. Pray, saying your name and location, and if you have a specific ask.
    7. \n
  7. Bow once.
    8. \n
  8. Exit to the right or left depending on where things are in the shrine. Pilgrims often next go to buy an “omamori” good luck charm or “omikuji” good luck fortune.
    9. \n
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Update:

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Thanks to Toshiyuki Yoshida “Yostos” for kindly adding:

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In addition to the amounts you’ve written, the following offering amounts are common in my area:

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415 yen: Good relationships/connections (yo i go-en)

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2951 yen: Good fortune comes (fu ku ko i)

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5 yen and 50 yen coins are considered lucky offerings not only for their wordplay but also because they have holes in them, which is said to “let luck pass through”

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It would also be good to have a ritual before going to the main shrine.

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\n", "date_published": "2025-01-01T16:45:42+09:00", "date_modified": "2026-01-04T17:26:58+09:00", "url": "https://cogley.jp/2025/01/01/japan-shrine-donation-amounts.html", "tags": ["Articles","Japan"] }, { "id": "http://rickcogley.micro.blog/2025/01/01/happy-new-year-one-and.html", "content_html": "

Happy New Year one and all. Hope it’s a good one for you! In Japan, we have osechi like in these photos. 🎍🇯🇵

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\"A\"A

\n", "date_published": "2025-01-01T12:42:53+09:00", "date_modified": "2026-01-04T17:26:58+09:00", "url": "https://cogley.jp/2025/01/01/happy-new-year-one-and.html" }, { "id": "http://rickcogley.micro.blog/2024/12/25/got-a-kindle-paperwhite-signature.html", "content_html": "

Got a Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition, but unfortunately it’s not possible to transfer old Kindle book purchases I made a long time ago in the US, to my main Japan-based Amazon account. The Paperwhite e-ink tech is fantastic, but it’s annoying to have to pay twice. 😤

\n", "date_published": "2024-12-25T08:01:52+09:00", "date_modified": "2026-01-04T17:26:58+09:00", "url": "https://cogley.jp/2024/12/25/got-a-kindle-paperwhite-signature.html" }, { "id": "http://rickcogley.micro.blog/2024/12/21/been-doing-the.html", "content_html": "

Been doing the “big tidy” for the past couple of weekends. Today was about changing the sink filter, cleaning the range hood, sprinkling weed killer, and lubing up the rollers and hinges in the house. 🏡🧹

\n", "date_published": "2024-12-21T20:19:34+09:00", "date_modified": "2026-01-04T17:26:58+09:00", "url": "https://cogley.jp/2024/12/21/been-doing-the.html" }, { "id": "http://rickcogley.micro.blog/2024/12/20/i-read-this.html", "content_html": "\n

I read this a while back, and it is worth a re-read: The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson 📚

\n", "date_published": "2024-12-20T08:57:33+09:00", "date_modified": "2026-01-04T17:26:58+09:00", "url": "https://cogley.jp/2024/12/20/i-read-this.html" }, { "id": "http://rickcogley.micro.blog/2024/12/16/i-found-out.html", "content_html": "\n

I found out I have a library card I can use with Libby, so I took advantage and checked out Kitchen by Banana Yoshimoto. Kudos to translator Megan Backus, who managed to evoke the right emotions. 📚

\n", "date_published": "2024-12-16T15:53:04+09:00", "date_modified": "2026-01-04T17:26:58+09:00", "url": "https://cogley.jp/2024/12/16/i-found-out.html" }, { "id": "http://rickcogley.micro.blog/2024/12/11/if-you-need.html", "content_html": "

If you need a logo designed, consider asking Lucie Baratte, founder of Logology. They have a catalog of ready-made logos, and can design custom ones as well. We love what they did for eSolia’s 25th anniversary refresh! 🥰

\n\"The\n", "date_published": "2024-12-11T08:59:27+09:00", "date_modified": "2026-01-04T17:26:58+09:00", "url": "https://cogley.jp/2024/12/11/if-you-need.html" }, { "id": "http://rickcogley.micro.blog/2024/12/11/i-like-the.html", "content_html": "

I like the Monokai Pro VS Code theme enough to have paid for it, and my eyes are thanking me. Good stuff from Wimer Hazenberg, and you can read about its interesting history here! 👨🏼‍💻

\n\"A\n", "date_published": "2024-12-11T08:14:42+09:00", "date_modified": "2026-01-04T17:26:58+09:00", "url": "https://cogley.jp/2024/12/11/i-like-the.html" }, { "id": "http://rickcogley.micro.blog/2024/12/09/i-for-one.html", "content_html": "

I for one am just glad I could find that one uuid I had forgot about, containing ‘beefcade’. 😂

\n\"A\n", "date_published": "2024-12-09T09:31:38+09:00", "date_modified": "2026-01-04T17:26:58+09:00", "url": "https://cogley.jp/2024/12/09/i-for-one.html" } ] }