Lifestyle
De-stress and breathe easy with handy tip from Japanese vocal technique specialist
With so much going on in the world right now, more and more people are becoming more and more stressed. And while relaxation techniques and tips for creating calm abound online, not all these ideas work for everyone, which is why Japanese Twitter user Shima (@shimadakengo911) attracted attention recently when he… Read
COVID-19 turnabout—pandemic in Japan unexpectedly revives, instead of exterminates, a dying art
Unsurprisingly, a pandemic is no good time for anyone or anything. From shuttered factory doors to cultural traditions ambling on their last legs, COVID-19 has done its work, in fact, even inspiring a new and now commonly used phrase for the worldwide turmoil it has caused: koronaka, or literally in English, “corona damage.”… Read
What event did you hate most in elementary school? Survey asks Japanese adults
Annual school events are taken very seriously in Japan. For many, a lot of time is spent rehearsing for them, making sure they are absolutely perfect. As someone who went to a state school in the UK, the idea of spending any time at all practicing for things like sports day is… Read
Have your dream wedding in the skies over Japan
Good news for the couples who are thinking about giving up their wedding ceremony because of the pandemic. Here’s a unique and luxurious way to celebrate your special life event. If you want to have an unforgettable experience, soramari can be your choice. Sora means sky and mari is from marriage, of course. Yes, it… Read
Auckland tops Economist's most liveable cities ranking; Osaka 2nd, Tokyo 5th
The pandemic has shaken up the rankings of the world's most liveable cities, a study released on Wednesday showed, with metropolises in Australia, Japan and New Zealand leaping ahead of those in Europe. Auckland tops The Economist's annual survey of the world's most liveable cities in 2021 followed by Osaka,… Read
Basic etiquette tips for Japan: The social rules of conduct
When traveling or moving to a completely new country, it is expected that you might commit a social faux pas or two. But with some experience and being reminded that "this simply isn’t done here” by the locals, you eventually learn what the acceptable behavior is. In Japan, as with… Read
Nike commercial about gender inequality in Japan receives backlash online
In recent years, Nike has shown that it likes to move people, both physically with their range of sporting goods and apparel, and emotionally, with their tug-at-the heartstrings advertising. In Japan, the sporting giant is moving people once again, this time with a new commercial called “New Girl/Play New“, which… Read
From 'batsu' to 'maru': Japan’s shift in attitude toward untying the knot
Batsuichi. Maruni. What do these terms mean and signify in Japan? Savvy Tokyo takes a closer look at how divorce is traditionally perceived in Japan and how people’s attitude toward it may be changing. Recently, I was having lunch with one of my close female friends. She’s in her late… Read
What is ORIOBI？Reviving Japan’s treasures through beautifully recycled obi
ORIOBI is a brand created by Mami, a Japanese artist, that took two elements of the Japanese culture: the Japanese art of folding paper, origami, and the kimono sash, obi, and combined them. ORIOBI came to life in the hope of reviving these beautiful hidden treasures that have been sleeping in… Read
Why is June the 'month of no water?'
The start of tsuyu, or the rainy season, has already started in Japan. I’ve always wondered how the beginning of the rainy season was determined, for no sooner is the season announced than we experience a week of beautiful, sunny weather. It’s as if mother nature is snubbing her nose at… Read
