Lifestyle
Is 'Nagoya skipping' a cause of the exodus of young people from the city?
It wasn’t that long ago that the concept of “Hiroshima skipping,” which refers to major musical artists skipping over Hiroshima in favor of other regional cities, was drawing lots of attention on the Japanese news. This time, there’s been renewed interest in the “skipping” phenomenon after television network TV Aichi… Read
Young Chinese women find virtual love in 'Deepspace'
Rafayel's girlfriends went all out to celebrate their lover's birthday, renting malls across China for parties, decorating high-speed trains with his photos, and even staging a dazzling drone show. But the birthday boy was absent from every event -- he's a virtual character in the romantic mobile game "Love and… Read
6 do’s and don’ts on your first date in Japan
Having lived in Japan for 10 years now, I have had my fair share of dating nightmares and wonderful experiences. In the past decade, I went from a casual dater to an engaged idealist to single with a cheating ex-fiancé. I started dating in Japan with poor Japanese skills and raged against any… Read
Secret onsen hot spring is a hidden gem in Tokyo
It can be hard to find a good, authentic, rustic onsen hot spring complex that isn’t geared towards tourists in Tokyo, so whenever we find one we’re always tempted to keep it a secret. However, one of our most recent finds turned out to be so good it’d be a… Read
Inside the Future City Pavilion at Osaka Expo
With less than a month to go until the highly anticipated World Exposition in Osaka opens on April 13, much of the site remains under construction. Despite this, one major milestone has been reached — the Future City Pavilion has been completed and unofficially opened with a special media preview… Read
What happens if I die in Japan?
It’s not something anyone likes to think about, but if you’re living in Japan — especially alone — you might have wondered: What happens if I die in Japan? While it’s not the most cheerful topic, understanding the official procedures can bring peace of mind. In this article, let’s explore what… Read
What’s it like working for a black company in Japan?
Japan is known for its strong work ethic, where staff are expected to dedicate themselves to a company and the company will take care of them in turn. However, this dedication to the company can be exploited by so-called “black” companies (ブラック企業, burakku kigyo) that take advantage of the same corporate… Read
How the color of St Patrick’s Day went from blue to green
St Patrick’s Day usually conjures images of partying, Catholicism, Irish nationalism and, perhaps most famously, the color green: green clothes, green shamrocks, green beer and green rivers. So my students are often surprised when I tell them that St Patrick’s Day was once a solemn feast day when you’d be… Read
Tokyo’s Chidorigafuchi announces sakura festival light-up dates, new boat reservation system
When it was first dug, the Chidorigafuchi moat was meant to keep people away from the shogun’s stronghold of Edo Castle, which is what used to occupy the spot in the center of downtown Tokyo which now is part of the Imperial Palace. However, here in the modern era Chidorigafuchi is actually… Read
The New Yorker, a U.S. institution, celebrates 100 years of goings on
The New Yorker magazine, a staple of American literary and cultural life defined by its distinctive covers, long-form journalism, witty cartoons and particular grammar, is celebrating 100 years on newsstands. To mark the publication's centenary milestone, four commemorative issues are being released, while its namesake city will host seven exhibitions… Read
