Lifestyle
Kojima, with its proud Jeans Street, draws fans of vintage, deep-blue denim
Denim, that All-American fabric, is all about being Japanese in the town of Kojima, where the main road is named Jeans Street, with real pairs of pants flapping like flags overhead. Some would call this spot in southwestern seaside Okayama Prefecture a mecca of jeans, where fans from around the world make… Read
Longing for human connections attracts Japanese youth to Tora-san series
An iconic Japanese movie series about a traveling salesman ill-fated in love is capturing the hearts of Japan's Generation Z youth, apparently drawn by a longing for closer human relationships. Titled in English "It's Tough Being a Man," the series, which in August celebrated the 55th anniversary of the release… Read
Condoms aren’t a fact of life for young Americans
It’s hard to miss the overflowing bowl of condoms at the entrance of the gym. Some University of Mississippi students walking past after their workout snicker and point, and the few who step forward to consider grabbing a condom rethink it when their friends catch up, laughter trailing behind them.… Read
Major League Eating: The sport of stuffing your face
Each man gobbled up 44 pork rolls in 10 minutes, but it was the last bite that earned one of them the $2,000 top prize in the very American pastime of competitive eating. The winner, Geoffrey Esper, ate just a bit more of roll number 45 than his closest competitor,… Read
Are foreign YouTubers in Japan worth a 'like' and 'subscribe'?
The rise in English-speaking foreigners living long-term in Japan plus the current increase in tourism has led to a new wave of content creators in the country, mostly on social media sites like Instagram, Tik Tok and YouTube. Many non-Japanese, English-speaking creators who focus on Japan have gained large followings,… Read
As sales of Japan temples and shrines surge, a crackdown on bad-faith buyers
Benmou Suzuki's dilapidated 420-year-old temple, located deep in the forest near a tiny Japanese mountain village in Gunma Prefecture, hardly looks like prized real estate. Yet the monk was recently approached by two men, who said they were real estate brokers and wanted to know if he was interested in… Read
‘I love you but I hate you.’ What to do when you can’t stand your long-term partner
It’s often said there is a thin line between love and hate, but is it OK to sometimes hate your long-term partner? If you ask actress Jamie Lee Curtis, it’s practically necessary. Asked about the secret to her 40-year marriage to actor Christopher Guest, she recently said the key includes… Read
Is Nagoya the best place to live in Japan?
While Osaka and Tokyo are the best-known big cities in Japan, the fourth-biggest city, Nagoya, has recently undergone a facelift. Thanks to its attractive restaurants offering quality local foods, its fashionable Sakae district and its history dating back to the samurai era, Nagoya has shed its image as an industrial hub and is… Read
Here’s how to maintain healthy smartphone habits
What is the first thing you do in the morning after you awaken? Many people immediately check their phones for notifications of messages, alerts and social media updates by their social ties. Ninety-seven percent of U.S. adults report owning a cellphone, with 90% reporting that they own a smartphone. While some… Read
10 organizations making music accessible for children with disabilities in Japan
Music is a powerful tool for personal growth, community building and creative expression. Yet, children with disabilities often have limited access to artistic and cultural activities. In Japan, several organizations are working to change this, providing specialized lessons, developing accessible instruments and creating spaces for children to challenge themselves musically.… Read
