Which is more popular in Japan; British English or American English?
As a Brit living in Japan, I’ve found myself on a number of occasions needing to defend my version of English against those from other…
Life
Tokyo’s Kabukichō district isn’t just about the nightlife – it has traditional festivals too
Kabukichō 歌舞伎町 may be known for its adult-oriented nightlife, but September is festival season in the district. The festivals started out as a way to…
Shinjuku: the humble beginnings of Tokyo’s most dynamic sub-city
Rather than a city with a centre, it is more helpful to think of Tokyo as a ring, with at least five sub-cities dotted on…
Japanese Cat Catches Cicada
Japan’s summer is known to be sweltering, especially in July and August. It can be uncomfortable for tourists not acclimated to the high humidity, but…
Japanese Student’s Funny Way to Help Train Passenger Not Miss Her Stop
When riding public transportation in Japan, it’s common courtesy to keep to oneself and not inconvenience other passengers. However, we still end up interacting with…
Luxury Japanese inn: Rent out an entire kominka house built 400 years ago in the Sengoku Period
Operated by Tanaka Co., Ltd., Shōya no Sato Kominka Tanaka 庄屋の里 古民家たなか, is a luxury ryokan inn built on a 1,000 tsubo (nearly 4,000 sq….
Machiya Hotel Yanagi: Renovated Kyoto machiya hotel with wheelchair access and pets allowed
In August 2018, Machiya Hotel Yanagi 町屋ホテルYANAGI, a hotel with a machiya 町屋 (traditional Japanese townhouse) exterior, opened in the Saiin 西院 neighborhood in central…
Cosplay de Umigomi Zero Liberated Zone: Cosplayers united to reduce marine litter
The World Cosplay Summit 2021 successfully took place last weekend, August 7th and 8th in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, as well as online. Although most of…
Tokyo’s Sunshine City provides umbrella rental service for those seeking shade in summer & fall
i-kasa umbrella rental service Some grape Japan readers may recall the Weathering with You clear umbrellas with Hina floating in the sky which we introduced…
Naptime for Japanese Grandpa and Granddaughter
I can feel the grandfather’s kindness even through the screen. Grandpa is too cute! What a perfect picture! These are the kinds of comments that…
Here are some of the Japanese businesses offering discounts to fully vaccinated customers
In Japan, vaccination against the novel coronavirus infection has been gradually ramping up since February 2021. According to the Prime Minister’s Office, as of August…
Iconic Sega Ikebukuro GiGO landmark arcade set to close
Due to the expiration of the building’s lease agreement and plans to start renovation construction,, SEGA entertainment is closing its iconic arcade facility Sega Ikebukuro…
This mochi slicer lets you enjoy dried mochi cakes in ways you didn’t know were possible
Kirimochi 切り餅 is a type of dried mochi (rice cake made of mochigome glutinous rice) cut into rectangles. They’re one of the most common forms…
Japanese wife gets creative to fix husband’s bad habit
When you think of married couples, what comes to mind? Lying on the sofa together late at night watching Netflix and eating ice cream? Or…
Temple priest explains why you shouldn’t lightly explore haunted places in Japan
In the summer, some Japanese exploring hobbyists visit rumored haunted spots to feel “chilly”. a However, Rokusyaku Houshi, a master monk of Nichiren Buddhism (@6SYAKU_HOUSHI)…