culture smash

Tokyo discount store Takeya has launched a “smile campaign” with staff wearing masks emblazoned with photos of their…

The novel coronavirus has impacted a wide array of businesses, ranging from restaurants to movie theaters. As theme…

Today in Japan, McDonald’s launched a ramune-flavored shake. I immediately made a beeline to my local McDonald’s…

As the number of novel coronavirus cases drops in Japan, some people will want to go out and drink with others.…

A state of emergency was declared in Japan due to the novel coronavirus pandemic. Many people have stayed home, and…

Last year, the bubble tea business was booming in Japan. This year, with the novel coronavirus, a state of emergency…

Yesterday, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced the government’s plan to provide face masks to 50 million…

Anyone who speaks Japanese and has spent time in the country has heard it: nihongo ga ojouzu (“Your Japanese is…

Because of coronavirus covid-19 concerns, “social distancing” has become the word of the day. Folks are at home.…

If you wear glasses, like I sometimes do, you know that sickness masks fog them up right quick. The Tokyo…

Earlier this week, toilet paper was widely available nearly everywhere in Japan. Now, it’s selling out at stores…

Japan has brought the world some truly delicious treats, but one of the best of all has to be meron pan (melon…

Every year across Japan, people line up at Kentucky Fried Chicken joints to place their orders for Christmas dinner.

A few years ago, Kotaku introduced online nicknames for Japanese fans of the three gaming platforms. Now, let’s take…

Some people might try to outdo others with elaborate and showy costumes. But at this annual event in Japan,…

When I first came to Japan in 2001, Halloween was not a thing. At all. Well, it was if you were foreigner, but…

In a recent Uniqlo commercial, 98-year-old fashion model Iris Apfel talks with 13-year-old fashion designer Kheris…

While Halloween in Shibuya might get lots of attention because of the massive crowds (and chaos), Kyoto has an…

Ah, Japan! On a regular basis, I get emails from readers wanting to know about where they should go on their trip to…

Japan is hosting the Rugby World Cup. Fans from all over the world are attending, and a percentage of them have been…