Ritual for the Regrets of Unused Paid-Time-Off
In Osaka, a Buddhist monk sat at the front of a large room chanting, surrounded by 300 lanterns. The chants, however, were not Buddhist scriptures. They were the regrets and remorse of individuals who had been unable to take their paid-time-off.
Young Drummer, Big Dreams
12-year-old drum wonder Hibiki Sakai is blind, but realized his dream of performing on stage with Japanese band Def Tech.
Get to Know Japan’s Top 10 Buzzwords of 2019
Learning Japanese Life in Japan
The candidates for the top ten catchphrases that defined Reiwa's first year are here. Who knew bubble tea could be a verb?
Tokyo Cracking Down on Drones
Drone shots of the gorgeous cityscape are truly unbelievable, but be sure you have permission before flying! A U.S. military lecturer was referred to prosecutors for illegally flying a drone in downtown Tokyo.
Sand Sculpture Asks Japan to Protect Oceans
One Japanese artist created an elaborately carved full-page editorial featured in the Tokyo Shimbun newspaper on a beach in Chiba to implore everyone to take care of the beautiful oceans on which Japan depends so much.
Pocket Change: The Money Travel Hack Machine
Leaving the country with a pocket full of yen coins? Visit a Pocket Change kiosk to transfer them into valuable digital currency!
Can You Survive on Only ¥150,000 a Month?
Is ¥150,000 (US$1,389) a month enough to live on in Tokyo? That’s plenty for life in Japan’s capital, claims a twenty-something Japanese woman. But could you live like her?
Japan's Best Flea Markets
Whether you're looking for arts, crafts, food or antiques, these are the best places in Japan to get your hands on unique items you won't find anywhere else, and at bargain prices!
Tokyo's Most 'Mundane' Halloween Costumes
Come take a look at 'Jimi Halloween,' celebrating the average run-of-the-mill characters you'll find across the metropolis.
Japanese Illustrator Brings Streets to Life
Masashi Shimakawa is a Japanese illustrator who uses his unique style to capture the everyday beauty of Japanese streets.
All About's Guide to Fukuoka
Fukuoka is the largest city on the island of Kyushu. It's a hotspot of tourism, food, culture history on more! Check out our full in-depth guide to one the nation's most overlooked cities.
Learn Some New Hand Puppetry... or 'Poop-etry'
The poop emoji has long been a favorite among people in Japan, but now you don't need type it out—just use your hands.
A Stunning Photographic Look at Japan 2019
As the year comes to an end, we’re afforded several opportunities to reflect on the past 12 months, such as the Kansai Photojournalism Awards., where exceptional photojournalism and videography from 2019 were recognized by the association.
How Money is Made in Japan
Get a peek behind the kimono, so to speak, as the National Printing Bureau shows how paper money is made in Japan.
How to Navigate a Japanese Air Conditioner
A handy guide to navigating all of the complicated settings on a Japanese air conditioner—trust us, when summer heats up you'll be glad you read this!
Make Your Own Chopsticks from 'Hamidashimono'
For more than 100 years, a town in Nara Prefecture has been using leftover, high-quality cypress wood from the home construction process to create disposable chopsticks. And now, you can make your own at home.
Eco Olympics: Recycled Plastics & Metals
Recycled plastic podiums and metals made from recycled electronics are just a few of the eco-friendly initiatives being enacted for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
LGBT Partnerships in Japan: One Step Forward
Gay marriage in Japan is still not a reality, but partnership systems and certificates are slowly gaining ground. Read on to find out more about options for same-sex couples in Japan looking to tie the knot.
How to Open a Bank Account in Japan
Life in Japan Working in Japan
Your straightforward guide to the important (and somewhat intimidating) process of setting up a bank account in Japan.
Tokyo & Osaka Among Top 3 World Safest Cities
"The Economist" published the latest iteration of its Safe Cities Index, which ranks 60 major urban centers from around the globe. Asia-Pacific metropolises had a strong showing in 2019, accounting for six of the top 10 slots and sweeping the top three.
