What Exactly Is Golden Week?
Find out about the nation's most popular holiday!
Cradles of Subculture
Let's take a quick look at some trivia about various regions in Japan that are known as subculture hotbeds!
10 Ambiguous Phrases That Mean NO in Japanese
Learning Japanese Life in Japan
Take these words as a rejection!
The Dos & Don'ts of Staying at a 'Ryokan'
Before staying at a traditional Japanese 'ryokan' inn, you may want to brush up on these etiquette rules.
'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?
10 Events to Attend During Golden Week 2016
2016 is a golden year for Japan's big Golden Week holiday. Not only can you catch a few traditional annual Golden Week events, but also some pretty rare ones as well!
A Little Dive into Some Japanese Subcultures
A foreigner’s foray into a few of Japan’s more offbeat cultural aspects.
The Many Meanings of 'Mottainai'
Something you might hear everyday in Japan is the word 'mottainai.' And without mincing words, we present to you three ways to use this useful expression!
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.
American Photographer Promotes Island with Art
American photographer Patrick Tsai is part of a team helping to internationalize and revitalize the island of Shodoshima in the Seto Inland Sea.
The Ins & Outs of 'Omotenashi'
'Omotenashi' is often defined as the spirit of hospitality, but it encompasses so much more.
Visiting 5 Landmarks of Haruki Murakami
Explore five Hanshin-area locations that appear as settings in Haruki Murakami's novels, as well as the landmarks of his life.
5 of Tokyo's Best Set Meals for About ¥1,000
Tokyo doesn't have to be an expensive city, and dining out can actually be a pretty cheap experience—but cheap doesn't mean skimping on quality!
How & When to Apologize in Japan
Learning Japanese Life in Japan
Apology is a kind of social currency in Japan. But using it well isn't just about knowing what words to use—you also need to know when and how to use them!
Japan’s 10 Coolest Subculture Illustrators!
Check out 10 of the cutest, coolest and weirdest subculture illustrators from Harajuku!
A Historical Walk Through Japanese Tea
Take a stroll through Kyoto’s Yamashiro region, the historical nexus of Japanese tea production, with a history dating back some 800 years.
Spend a Night in a Historic House
Built to withstand and even take advantage of their environment, these singulse structures known as gassho-zukuri can only be found in two villages in Japan. So why not spend the night in a UNESCO-recognized farmhouse?
The Custom of Communal Cleaning
While the spirit of cleaning is taught in Japanese schools, the principle very likely originated in Zen Buddhism, and continues on into adulthood.
The 6 Main Types of 'Omamori'
Temples & Shrines Life in Japan
These good luck charms can provide you with all kinds of special help!
'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 well!
