Japan Travel Guide: Top Festivals you can enjoy in February
Most people are not aware that besides Valentine’s Day in February, Japan has many other interesting events going on and February brings a lot of…
Life
Due to COVID-19, Tokyo Marathon to Restrict Entry to Elite Runners Only
General runners express concerns on social media after Tokyo Marathon makes decision to restrict entry to elite athletes As Japan increases its efforts to contain…
Extreme Isolation in Japan: Hikikomori Shut-Ins and Kodokushi Solitary Deaths
Japan is a group-oriented society where harmony and consensus are vital. Despite an emphasis on the group, the number of residents suffering from extreme isolation…
Experience a three dimensional mandala at Kyōto’s Tōji Temple
Established in 794 by Emperor Kammu, Tōji temple along with Sai-ji temple were the only two temples permitted by the emperor to stand within the…
Guests on Coronavirus-Quarantined Cruise Ship Are Leaving Surprising Messages on Their Doors
The quarantined Diamond Princess cruise ship now docked at Yokohama Port has sadly become the site of the second-largest outbreak of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outside…
Popular Japanese Actress Suzu Hirose Subjected to Racist Coronavirus Comments on Instagram
As reported by CNN and many other media sources, the outbreak of the coronavirus and the resulting fear of infection, often combined with misinformation about…
Third of Service Industry Workers Banned from Wearing Masks Despite Coronavirus Outbreaks
One of 2020’s top headlines has been Coronavirus. As the death toll continues to rise in China, reported to be more than 250, and infections…
These Five Konbini Bubble Teas Just Changed the Boba Game
A decade ago, it looked like tea was on its way out. The final insignificant item on a menu, or a perfunctory drink given to…
With sleep deprivation a growing problem in Japan, companies introduce Power Nap Project
I think many of us have had times when we just couldn’t keep our eyes open and have fallen asleep “on duty”. It also happened…
Wasei Eigo: Japan’s Pseudo-English
Japanese is certainly a very complicated language. What with Chinese characters whose readings change depending on the word, and two sets of phonetic characters, it’s…
INTERVIEW | Hio Miyazawa Hopes ‘his’ Movie Starts LGBTQ Conversation in Japan
Yukari Tanaka for JAPAN Forward Rikiya Imaizumi, one of the leading directors in romance films, has a new movie – his. It is a sequel…
Nose-Blowing and Facemasks Provide Surprisingly Deep Insight into Japan’s Social Norms and Facial Expressions
Have you ever been on the train or bus with a horrible runny nose? Whether due to allergies or a cold, I’m pretty sure we’ve…
Japan’s Giri-choco and Rental Girlfriends
Christmas is intended for lovers in Japan, and New Year’s is meant to be spent with family. How about Valentine’s Day? Of course, it’s intended…
All in on Bitcoin: LINE, Rakuten & others bet on future of Facebook’s Libra and cryptocurrencies
Last year, Facebook’s announcement of its Libra stablecoin, a type of cryptocurrency pegged to a basket of world currencies, met with much fanfare. But world…
Why does this YouTuber have bird poop on her face?
Man, what is wrong with Millennials? Eating laundry detergent. Snorting condoms. Putting avocados in milk—or something. I’m not entirely sure. I stopped reading that article…