Lifestyle
Japan’s Unique Skin Girls bring their brightly colored complexions out to streets of Tokyo
Earlier this year, we were introduced to a new trend emerging from Japan’s cosplay scene: Isshoku Hada, or “Unique/Remarkable Skin“. As the name suggests, the young people involved in this eye-catching craze pride themselves on displaying flamboyant skin, which they color with body paint in all shades of the rainbow. Japanese DJ and… Read
Hello Kitty Land Tokyo hosts its first Halloween-Cosplay party
Sanrio Puroland, better known as Hello Kitty Land Tokyo, has launched a new event for its worldwide fan base. Running until Oct 31, Hello Kitty Land will host the “Puro Halloween Party” as its special autumn event this year. In recent years Halloween celebrations have been on the rise also in… Read
Smartphone app helps lonely women in Japan make female friends; forbids date requests
When they finish school, many people find that it suddenly becomes extremely tough to make new friends. After being surrounded by peers for a dozen or more years of student life, their social life takes a hit as they get tossed into adult society and spend most of their days at… Read
Fashion on upward curve: Bigger is beautiful
For years, images of impossibly slim, gorgeous, blemish-free women have filled fashion magazines, billboards and television screens. Now, 26-year-old British model Iskra Lawrence is waging war on unattainable beauty standards in the fashion world, flexing her might on a social media fueling diversity. She is among a growing number of… Read
Preparing for visits to Japan by family members with health issues
I love seeing my parents when they come over yearly, and it is so good to be able to visit with them, even just for a week or two. However, having my parents over, or rather preparing to have my parents come over can often be quite a stressful time. It… Read
Japan: the land of a thousand conveniences
Heated toilets that spray users clean, train seats that revolve so passengers can admire the scenery and a convenience store on every corner: welcome to Japan, where hospitality and customer service form part of the country's DNA. Visitors readying to flock to Tokyo for the 2020 Olympics can expect a… Read
Japan's homeless banish despair through dance
Penniless and subsisting only on water for three weeks, Tokyo street-dweller Tokuchika Nishi thought he had come to the end of his life. "My money ran out and I thought it would be fine to just die a dog's death," said Nishi, 38, who had spent two years homeless in… Read
Losing your wallet in Japan: What to do and where to go
One of the things I love about living in Japan is the feeling of safety that comes from its very low crime rate. However, even a safe haven like Japan can still have its own moments of chaos, as I learned this week. On Saturday morning, I discovered my wallet… Read
8 things you’ll absolutely miss after leaving Japan
Maybe you spent a month in Japan, maybe you’ve spent a year or more, or maybe you were here for a decade. But the one thing you’ll likely all have in common is missing those unique parts of Japanese culture. From friends and food to Japan’s funny obsession with putting… Read
Anime-themed Japan Self-Defense Forces recruitment campaign makes odd poster boy choice
It’s not an entirely new tactic for Japan’s Self-Defense Forces to use anime imageryin their recruiting materials. Over the last few years the organization has used original anime-style mascots and special ita-helicopters to help drum up enthusiasm for enlisting. The JSDF has even joined hands with established anime franchises for cross-promotional campaigns. From 2015 to 2016, the Ministry… Read
