Blackened teeth in Japan (ohaguro): a short history
The tradition of Ohaguro, or teeth blackening, holds profound historical significance in Japan, reflecting the deep-seated cultural and aesthetic values...
10 Reasons Why Japan is one of the World’s Top 10 Most Visited Countries
According to World Travel Market’s Global Travel Report in 2023, Japan was ranked in the top 10 countries that tourists...
Will my phone work in Japan? A Quick Guide for Android & iPhone Users
Traveling to Japan is exciting, but staying connected can be a challenge. So I put together a quick guide to...
My Inglorious Attempt at Writing Haiku
Ok, I’ve never pretended to be a poet, and that’s not gonna change anytime soon. But I’ve been reading a...
From Sunburn to Suica Master: The Transformation of Long-Term Foreign Residents in Japan :)
Warning: this is tongue-in-cheek, aka sarcasm, aka a little bit of fun, aka don’t take it seriously. So I was...
Kabuki theatre in Tokyo: a very quick guide
Kabuki, a form of entertainment that originated in the 17th century, combines drama, dance, and music, with performers donning elaborate...
Review: “Wolf Children” by Mamoru Hosoda ★★★★★
Mamoru Hosoda’s 2012 anime film “Wolf Children” is a captivating yet emotionally complex journey that transcends the realm of fantasy....
Why are Japanese people buying up old Shinkansen food carts?
The Central Japan Railway Company has decided to phase out the iconic on-board snack cart services on the Shinkansen bullet...
Is Japan’s work culture really that bad?
While the Japanese workplace has traditionally been characterized by long working hours, strict hierarchies, and a focus on collective harmony,...
Yukio Mishima: Genius?
Yukio Mishima, the enigmatic figure of Japanese literature, remains a subject of fascination and controversy even decades after his death....
Outsider vs Insider Views of Japan: Getting Down and Dirty
People find Japan fascinating. Yours truly included. Guilty as charged. However, the lens through which Japan is perceived differs vastly...
Review: “Japan Sinks” by Sakyo Komatsu ★★★★☆
“Japan Sinks” by Sakyo Komatsu, translated into English by Michael Gallagher, is a hard core disaster / sci-fi novel that...