Bongo the Robot Dog: like a real dog but quieter, cleaner and cheaper
Japan is the only country in the world in which pets outnumber children. Kids and pets are closely linked in Japan: as the number of…
Life
Kita Kyushu’s Coming of Age Ceremony is Like No Other
From Spain’s quinceanera, when females turn 15, to the United States’ sweet sixteen parties, cultures around the world celebrate when children come of age. In…
Kagami Biraki: Opening or Breaking the New Year’s Mochi
Kagami Biraki / 鏡開き is a Shinto custom celebrated annually on the 11th of January and a literal translation of the Japanese term is “Opening…
The Surprising Truth about Cheating in Japan
Note: This article discusses mature themes Have you seen the Netflix series called “My Husband Won’t Fit”? A happy Japanese couple’s marriage slowly decays because…
The Must-Have Kawaii And Very Efficient 100-Yen Items for New Year’s Ōsōji (Big Cleaning)
One big event before welcoming Toshigami-sama 年神様 (the Year God that comes to every New Year’s Eve to bring fortune and good luck for the…
How Japan Is Complimenting Itself Away from Burnout And Career Fatigue
In recent years, several companion services and products have popped up in Japan. There is a wide variety. Companion robots and AI devices are entering…
An Ode to Japan’s Fruit Sandwiches: The Must Eat Boxing Day Food
Christmas is a special time of year wherever you are in the world. And wherever that may be, each nation, cultural group, or even family…
Easy Kansaiben To Sound Like a Native
I visited Yokohama last month in November for an interview and caught up with some friends while I was in the area. Two are Japanese…
Invite the new year into your home with the Ōsōji cleaning ritual
Invite the new year into your home with the Ōsōji cleaning ritual As many countries around the world are busy unwrapping Christmas gifts and keeping…
Customs and traditions during oshōgatsu: Japanese New Year’s time
Japan is getting more and more attention due to the Olympics that will be held in 2020 and people from overseas are also getting more…
Try On the ‘Samue,’ Japanese Work Clothes for Monks — and the Rest of Us
Timothy Nerozzi for JAPAN Forward When searching for Japanese-style clothes, many newcomers are at a loss of where to start. Kimono, while luxurious, can be…
How to forget the year at your bōnenkai party
December has rolled around and the end of the year is drawing nearer. As the nights become colder and the days become shorter, it can…
Japan’s cash addiction is coming to an end and here is what you need to know
Crypto in a cash-clutching country In Japan, cash is king. Many stores do not accept plastic and forget using a personal check. In this country,…
Take Home A Bit of Japanese Nightlife Nostalgia with LED Snack Bar Sign Magnets
The sunakku: Japan’s nostalgic “snack bars” Ah, the Japanese sunakku スナック A fixture of Japanese nightlife for over half a century, these cozy little drinking…
The Best Temples in Kyoto to Experience Zen Meditation
As someone who has been interested in Asian philosophy and Buddhism for many years now, I’ve tried out a few kinds of meditation here and…