Lifestyle
What is a remote wedding? Japanese couples choosing ceremony online for their weddings
Since Prime Minister Shinzo Abe declared an emergency state over Japan, many couples had to cancel or reschedule their wedding plans for this year. It’s not only Japan but all over the world, the pandemic messed up the plans of many couples, and the events industry (including weddings) was crushed… Read
Tongue-tied singles turn to high-tech matchmaking services to help break the ice
Dating is hard, especially early on. It's awkward, stressful, and expensive. I would know. If there were video footage of any of my many first dates, they could likely be used as torture in some countries. So many unfunny jokes. So much sweating. I doubt I'm alone. Speed dating parties,… Read
Japanese bathhouses awash with post-lockdown customers
Masazumi Kato sighed deeply as he lowered himself into a tub at a public bathhouse in Yokohama, enjoying a return to a Japanese tradition largely off-limits during the city's coronavirus lockdown. With the lifting of a nationwide state of emergency over the virus, Japan's onsen -- large bathhouses where patrons… Read
Shikake Tegami Service: The illustrated love letter and a great gift for your beloved one
During these hard times, it is important to stay strong and remember to send our thoughts and feelings to those dear to us. In Japan, people sometimes find it difficult to express themselves straightforwardly, especially when it comes to the feelings of love towards someone. Many feel embarrassed, but at… Read
Survey ranks the most desirable neighborhoods to live in Kansai region
Japanese real estate company SUUMO conducted its annual survey of residents in Japan’s western Kansai region (think Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe, Nara, Shiga, and Wakayama) to see which parts of the area are most desirable to live in. If you’re well-versed in your knowledge of Kansai, you’re sure to recognize all of these… Read
You can control your air conditioner with a Game Boy Color, inventor proves
In 1998, Nintendo released the Game Boy Color. The big selling point, obviously, was the ability to simultaneously display 56 colors on screen, as opposed to the original Game Boy’s four shades of greenish gray, but 22 years later, yet another advantage of the Game Boy Color’s hardware has been discovered: you can use… Read
Cancelled your trip to climb Mt. Fuji? Build the mountain yourself with a papercraft kit
So in case you haven’t heard, Mt Fuji is closed for the year. You may be wondering how Japan’s greatest example of the great outdoors can be “closed,” but the specifics are that access to all four hiking trails that lead to the top of the mountain will be closed through the… Read
Survey shows how Japanese couples feel about spending so much time together sheltering in place
As Japan’s voluntary policy of jishuku, or self-restraint, continues, more and more people are working from home, and families are spending more time together than ever before. Since many people often had to work long hours and weren’t able to leave the office until late at night before the outbreak, this new arrangement could be either… Read
Drive-in cinemas, raves and dining behind plastic - the new going out
With lockdown measures more relaxed, social lives are slowly becoming possible. Restaurants, bars, gigs and museums beckon. But as we take our first cautious steps back into the wider world, we are finding it transformed. Gone are restaurants so busy that you have to wait for service or the check.… Read
Japanese buff men delivery service will send beefcake, and also things to eat, to your door
Though restaurants in Japan aren’t officially barred from offering eat-in service during the coronavirus pandemic, a lot of people are choosing to eat as many meals as they can at home. In response, food delivery services have been stepping up to provide tasty chow to people who don’t want to risk eating… Read
