Lifestyle
Pregnant woman takes teen boys to task for calling their friend 'lame' for offering her his seat
The seats in the corner sections of pretty much every train in Japan are supposed to be reserved for elderly, disabled, or pregnant passengers, but truly good manners dictate offering your seat to such people regardless of where you’re at in the train. So recently, when Japanese Twitter user @mrmehoso11 was on a… Read
Women's office fashion: 4 tips for 'wearing it right' at a Japanese workplace
Unlike the suit and tie, the one-look-fits-all world of menswear, for women deciding what to wear to the office in Japan can seem a bit tricky. But it doesn’t have to be complicated — just follow these simple guidelines, and you will be prepared for whatever your Japanese company throws at you.… Read
Papercraft artist who turns food packaging into art to have solo exhibition
Many of our readers may recall Harukiru (@02ESyRaez4VhR2l), a popular Japanese papercraft artist with over 370,000 followers on Twitter. Harukiru's astonishing creations fashioned entirely out of food cartons and packaging are so detailed and clever in their design that we have had reason to share them on grape Japan more… Read
Returning to family roots: Rumiko Obata on leading her family sake brewery
“Reputation before ratings”: fifth generation sake brewery owner Rumiko Obata talks about the importance of family businesses and using her smooth sake to promote Sado through titillating drinkers’ tastebuds. Rumiko grew up in the sake world, watching her parents manage the laborious process of creating sake from Niigata and Sado’s… Read
World’s first official store dedicated to anime icon Doraemon to open in Tokyo
Doraemon is having a great year! April 2019 marked the 40-year anniversary of the first time our cute bubble-headed catbot pal starred on TV screens across Japan. Earlier this year, the train station closest to the Fujiko F Fujio museum celebrated by cloaking itself in adorable Doraemon decals – and next year is an even… Read
One-person seclusion tents let you turn part of your home into your private kingdom
Tokyo-based office supply company King Jim’s product lineup primarily consists of file folders, clipboards, and other items for the workplace. But with a name like King Jim, you might also expect a little personal luxury, and the company’s latest item provides you with the means to stake out your own little kingdom by… Read
What to do if you require medical assistance while visiting Japan
You’ve made it to the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan to cheer on your side. You’ve cleared customs, checked in to your destination and even enjoyed a few days sightseeing and eating your way through your arrival city. You’re now set to move a little further afield: to Kumamoto… Read
Japan’s toxic drinking culture no one talks about
Japan is a booze lover’s paradise. For centuries alcohol has mixed into the local culture, creating friendships and sealing business deals on a daily basis. A peek into the nation’s history reveals alcohol has always been a way of life—ancient Buddhist temples acted as the primary sake breweries for centuries… Read
Nakameguro: A guide to Tokyo’s artsy and chic neighborhood
During hanami season, this attractive area transforms into a breathtaking landscape where people from all over Tokyo come to stroll along the famous Meguro River lined with soft pink blossoming cherry trees. Nakameguro is not only popular amongst Tokyo’s younger crowds, but appeals to the older generation with its inventive museums, charming cafes, and luxurious restaurants.… Read
Walk the talk: Cities urged to study footpaths for better land use
Mapping informal footpaths could help city planners tackle a range of urban issues stemming from depopulation and vacant land, researchers say. At the beginning of the decade, the northern U.S. city of Detroit had more than 5,680 informal paths, many of them in lower-income neighborhoods, according to a study by… Read
