Amabie, a humanoid fish yokai (demon or spirit from traditional Japanese folklore), has found itself the understandable recipient of a recent merchandise boom. The scaly…

A 600-year-old Wisteria tree that normally sees thousands of visitors each year during the blossom season, has had it’s flowering branches cut and removed in…

Stay-at-home protocol as a countermeasure to the novel coronavirus has made thing difficult for nightlife establishments in Japan. While some, like virtual hostess bars, have…

In response to a shortage of hand sanitizer due to the novel coronavirus pandemic, Japan’s health ministry decided to exceptionally allow beverages with an alcohol…

As the pandemic continues to wreak havoc worldwide, it’s only natural for us to have very strong emotional reactions to this existential challenge. Some may…

Akiko Shigematsu, Sankei Shimbun, published in JAPAN Forward on April 28th, 2020 Seasonal changes that accompany the coming of spring are normally highly anticipated —…

Like many around the world, Japanese photographer Takuya Nishimura (@takchaso) is currently following stay-and-work-at-home protocol as a countermeasure against the novel coronavirus. Nishimura is well…

Even without the novel coronavirus outbreak, masks are a common sight in Japan for reasons as simple of providing a sense of privacy and anonymity…

If you’ve been reading grape Japan lately, then there’s a good chance that you know about Amabie アマビエ. Legend has it the yōkai 妖怪 (monster)…

For the last few weeks, the coronavirus lockdown has been in full effect across Japan. Although criticized as “toothless” by many—the power of the government…

I’m likely not alone. From an anecdotal perspective, the popularity of yoga seems to be increasing in Japan in recent years. I’ve noticed more online…

In Japan, as in the rest of the world, working from home during the coronavirus lockdown has become the new normal for millions of people….

In an effort to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, a lot of people are practising social distancing and doing all they can to stay…

April 16th, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced the nationwide extension of Japan’s state of emergency. This allows regional governments across the country to strongly request…

Japanese people have a reputation for being considerate and polite. Many go out of their way to help, and they are quick to apologize over…