The Japanese subculture of Chindōgu (Unuseless Inventions)
Japan is well known for its cutting-edge technology, but much less well known for a delightfully absurd counterpoint to high-tech: chindōgu, which means “unuseless inventions.”
What Happened to KonMari? The Evolution of Marie Kondo’s Lifestyle Movement
Marie Kondo took the world by storm in the mid-2010s with her philosophy of keeping only items that “spark joy.” But in recent years, her media presence has waned. So, what happened to KonMari?
A Quirky Symphony: Reviewing the Otamatone
The Otamatone is a whimsical electronic musical instrument that looks like a cartoon eighth note come to life. Let’s take a closer look.
Why does Japan drive on the left?
Japan drives on the left due to historical influence from samurai traditions and adopting British railway systems in the 19th century.
Why is Japan So Clean? Understanding the Culture of Cleanliness
Japan’s exceptional cleanliness stems from cultural values, strict social etiquette, and collective responsibility, where citizens actively maintain public spaces and follow cleaning routines.
Ryokan in Kyoto: A Traditional Japanese Lodging Experience
Experience authentic Japanese hospitality at Kyoto’s traditional ryokans. Enjoy tatami rooms, onsen baths, kaiseki dining, and serene gardens in the heart of ancient Japan.
Five Japanese Concepts that Help Appreciate the World
There are many expressions in Japanese that are difficult to translate into other languages due to the connection of the...
Review: “A Monk’s Guide to a Clean House and Mind” ★★★★☆
Japan has produced two major exports in the fields of self-help and cleanliness in the past decade: Marie Kondo and...
Review: “From Tatami to Tokyo: The Foreigner’s Handbook Apartment Hunting in Japan” ★★★★☆
“From Tatami to Tokyo: The Foreigner’s Handbook Apartment Hunting in Japan” by Brian Takahashi is a 54-page guidebook for foreigners...
Bureaucracy in Japan: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
One of the most common complaints I hear from fellow ex-pats, in Japan and elsewhere, is that the bureaucracy is...
Unveiling the Blades: How to Choose the Best Japanese Cooking Knives
Japanese knives, with their sleek design and razor-sharp edge, have earned a reputation for precision and elegance. But navigating the...
A break down of the cheapest places to live in Tokyo
Tokyo is known for being one of the most expensive cities in the world. However, this doesn’t mean that living in Tokyo has to break the...