'Henn-na Hotel': Smart, Weird & Wonderful
The Henn-na Hotel has garnered global interest because robots handle many of its services.The hotel’s management concept is also designed to trim labor costs and conserve energy as...
Cradles of Subculture
Let's take a quick look at some trivia about various regions in Japan that are known as subculture hotbeds!
A Little Dive into Some Japanese Subcultures
A foreigner’s foray into a few of Japan’s more offbeat cultural aspects.
Driving in Japan
As in many countries, city traffic in Japan may be congested and not much fun. But once you get into the countryside and the mountains, driving in Japan can be a real pleasure.
10 Ambiguous Phrases That Mean NO in Japanese
Learning Japanese Life in Japan
Take these words as a rejection!
'Yurukyara' 101
Japan's cute mascots, often based on regional animals or foods, are known as 'yurukyara.' You've probably seen these fun and cuddly characters, but where did the idea come from?
Japan’s 10 Coolest Subculture Illustrators!
Check out 10 of the cutest, coolest and weirdest subculture illustrators from Harajuku!
10 Horrific-Looking Yet Tasty Foods from Japan
What some find strange to eat, others see as a typical delicious meal!
10 Ways to Experience 'Danso' Culture
'Danso'—women dressing and performing as men—has been an element of Tokyo girls’ underground culture for years. We've outlined 10 ways to get a taste of 'danso' culture, both in Ja...
The New Classics: Culture Experiences in Tokyo
Traditional Japanese experiences have been receiving a revamp, with visitors and locals alike flocking to try new versions of old favorites!
A National Who’s Whooo of Owl Cafés
Who wouldn’t want to snuggle up and nestle down in an owl café? We’ve lined up eight adorable and outstanding branches where you can unruffle in peace.
Drown in Fur at these 5 Cat-Crammed Cafés
Whether you’re tired of jostling elbows at an overcrowded Starbucks or dying to unleash your inner cat lady, nothing beats drinking coffee in a cuddly catmosphere with a jillion fu...
Sssssip With Care At These 4 Reptile Cafés!
In a country where sipping tea with cats and boozing it up with penguins aren’t (so) out of the ordinary, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that coffee with reptiles is also now an o...
5 Next-level Maid Cafés
Warrior maids, gaming maids, toy maids, magical maids and massage maids await!
4 Purrfect Kansai Cat Cafés
Tired of running around, trying to see all the beautiful temples and castles in the Kansai area? Recharge your batteries at a cozy cat café!
Making Broken Pottery Look Like New
Handicrafts Kumamoto Earthquake
This volunteer craftsman is traveling to Kumamoto to help repair earthquake-damaged family heirlooms free of charge.
2 Awesome Owl Cafés in Osaka
Meet lots of different types of owls up close at Osaka's two owl cafés, where you can take pictures and pet these adorable creatures!
Full List: Japan’s UNESCO Shrines & Temples!
World Heritage Temples & Shrines
Japan is home to thousands of historic shrines and temples, and a good few of them are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. A visit to just one can give insight into Japanese culture.
9 Cleaning Supplies from the ¥100 Store
These inexpensive products are perfect for your New Year's cleaning!
The Origin of the Maneki Neko
The Maneki Neko, literally the "beckoning cat,"is a very common Japanese figurine. Although there are several possible stories behind its origin, the one revolving around Gotokuji...
