The Folks Who Protest Valentine's Day In Japan
On Valentine’s Day in Japan, women traditionally give men chocolate. Each year, a group of protesters gathers to march,…
The Japanese Internet Reacts To The Ariana Grande Tattoo Fiasco
Since Ariana Grande revealed her new tattoo last week, the pop star has been criticized in the English-speaking world…
How K-Pop Revived Black Sickness Masks In Japan
It’s flu and cold season. That means people in Japan are wearing sickness masks in public. Either they are ill or are…
Naomi Osaka And The Expectations Put Upon Biracial Japanese
Earlier this week, Naomi Osaka fielded a question from a Japanese reporter who wanted the tennis star to reply in…
The Complex World Of Japanese Business Manners
Manners in Japan are tricky, complex and sometimes hard to follow—even for Japanese people.
Pokémon Studio Criticized After Visiting Controversial Shrine
When Japanese politicians visit the Yasukuni Shrine, the country’s most controversial Shinto shrine, it causes an…
Instagram Manners And Tokyo Disneyland
At Toon Town in Tokyo Disneyland, there is a photo spot area with a bunch of boxes. The spot has become even more…
Rising Sun Removed From Bohemian Rhapsody So Not To Offend
In the Queen movie Bohemian Rhapsody, a t-shirt was digitally changed as not to cause offense.
Nissan's Carlos Ghosn Always Seemed Doomed
In Japanese, there is an expression: deru kui wa utareru (出る杭は打たれる). It’s the equivalent of the English phrase, “The…
The Birth Of Japanese Arcades
Every business has a starting point. For Japanese arcades, one of them was on department store rooftops.
Rules For Eating And Drinking In Japan
Visting Japan? Or perhaps you already live in the country. Here are some handy rules to follow for eating and drinking…
Japanese Clean-Up Manners Are Spreading To Other Soccer Fans
After yesterday’s Japan vs. Colombia World Cup game, it wasn’t only Japanese soccer fans who were cleaning up after…
Find Tattoo-Friendly Hot Springs, Gyms And Hotels In Japan
In Japan, many hot springs, public pools, sports clubs and hotels will not allow guests with permanent ink. A new…
The World of Japanese Vending Machines
For decades now, Japanese vending machines have served up an array of interesting, mundane, and useful things. Things…
Japan's Most Delicious Bread Is Melon Pan
Japan has brought the world some truly delicious treats, but one of the best of all has to be meron pan (melon bread).…
Japanese Maid Outfits, A Serious Look
Artist Ray Tatsumi has done an exhaustive in-depth study of Japanese maid outfits, tracing their origins from the UK…
Let's Talk About Japan And Sickness Masks
First time visitors notice them right away: Sickness masks. People in Japan wear them for numerous reasons, including…
Japanese Reaction To Israel Serving Its Prime Minister A Shoe With Chocolate
During Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s recent trip to Israel, he and his wife Akie dined with Israeli Prime…
Do Not Come To Japan This Week
Did you just arrive in Japan? Oh dear. Bad timing. I’m sure you’ll have fun, but there are better times to visit. Why,…
Japan's School Bags Are Expensive and Fashionable
Grade schoolers across Japan carry leather backpacks called “randoseru” (ランドセル). Traditionally, kids have carried one…