About Ask Jiji
Ask Jiji（じぃじに聞け） is a site about Japan’s mysteries — the things that are everywhere once you start looking, and nobody has ever quite explained.
Why do shrines have fox statues? Why does everyone queue so neatly? Why can a grandmother cross Tokyo on four train lines and still arrive exactly on time?
These are our notes.
The team
👴 Jiji (じぃじ) — Chief Investigator. “Jiji” is a Japanese word children use for their grandfather.
Has been investigating the mysteries of Japan for longer than he cares to admit, and he still finds new ones every day. Jiji grew up in Japan and now lives in America, giving him a rare perspective from both sides of the Pacific.
👵 Kimi (きみ) — Day Trip Advisor. A timetable-loving grandmother who enjoys planning journeys down to the minute.
Knows how to connect trains, walks, and little discoveries into a perfect day out.
🤔 Juri (じゅり) — Chief Question-Asker. Curious about everything Japanese, understands nothing. Asks the questions you were too polite to ask.
Sister site
Ask Jiji is the companion site to Shinto Chimimoryo — a deeper exploration of Japan’s shrines, sacred spaces, and spiritual traditions. If Ask Jiji makes you curious, Shinto Chimimoryo is where the rabbit hole goes.