Lifestyle
The dos and dont’s of class control for ALTs
“All kids in Japan are polite and well-behaved.” A common trope, but this is absolutely not the case. Japan isn’t so different from anywhere else. There are good kids who will play along with an almost angelic demeanor and there are difficult kids can who make The Incredible Hulk seem… Read
A night out in Doyamacho, Osaka’s LGBT district
Nowhere in Japan is like Osaka, where every night the bright, neon streets come alive with the brashest, wackiest and quirkiest individuals in the nation. Tourists tend to flood nightlife districts like Namba and Umeda, but where do the notoriously crazy Osakans go to get down? The answer for many… Read
Neighboring suburbs in Japan face divergent futures as one grays, one grows
Katsuya Kodama's wife died two years ago, and the 77-year-old keeps her ashes on a Buddhist altar in their suburban home. "I talk to her morning and night, tell her everything," he said. "I sit on the chair she used in the bath while ill. Sitting where she sat makes… Read
Edo Cat Cafe closure postponed as 50 cats still need foster parents
Back in June, the Edo Neko Chaya opened in Tokyo, but unlike many other western-style cat cafes in the capital, this one was styled on a traditional chaya, or teahouse, with gorgeous interiors inspired by ukiyo-e woodblock prints. Cats of the Edo Neko Chaya could be seen enjoying multiple areas representing aspects of daily life… Read
A life of helping the homeless in Sanya, an obliterated Tokyo district
Working tirelessly with her devoted team of passionate locals, Mago Yoshihira has seen some of the hardest sides of Tokyo, but still radiates an aura of effortlessly laid-back warmth and empathy for anyone who enters her orbit. Matter of fact about the realities of the everyday struggles she witnesses, sure,… Read
Kirin will stop selling one of its most popular whiskies as Japanese spirit shortage continues
It’s hard to say whether it’s been a good year or a bad year for Japanese whisky. On the one hand, multiple makers have seen sales far exceed their expectations, as their products earn accolades around the globe and the highball boom continues going strong in Japan. But on the other… Read
Quirky weddings show new trend of acceptance in Japan
You may have heard the popular Japanese saying deru kugi wa utareru, or “the nail that sticks out gets hammered down.” Due to this belief, unfortunately many people go to great lengths to hide what makes them unique or special in Japan. When I was an English teacher, I even… Read
Talking anime girl calendars let you stare at and listen to your live-in 2-D girlfriend
Many otaku like to put up posters of their anime crushes in their homes, making it feel like they’re living together with a 2-D girlfriend. So it’s not such a big surprise that Japanese stationery company Gakken Sta:Ful has created two spiral-bound calendars each starring a different character, both specially designed to appeal to… Read
Popular store Loft reveals their top 12 most popular items sold in 2018
Popular chain store Loft sells an astounding range of unusual everyday commodities that are often both surprisingly practical and aesthetically pleasing. There are literally thousands of cool choices available, which can make shopping at the store a rather time-consuming process. Fortunately, the Japanese company recently compiled a list of 12 most sought-after merchandise between… Read
Survey shows more Japanese married men, single Japanese women cheating on their romantic partners
Sometimes, romance in Japan looks very different than it does in other countries, such as when a man holds a wedding ceremony to declares his undying love for his favorite anime-style virtual idol. But in some aspects, romance in Japan is like it is in any other country, and not always… Read
