
Introducing Flood-Resistant Floating Homes
A Japanese homebuilder has developed a house that floats during flooding as a measure to prevent permanent structural damage.

It's Not Over Yet for This 88-Year-Old 'Sento'
There's been a trend of sento, or public baths, closing across Japan. But for one aging Tokyo business, the open sign will be hanging longer, with an incredible new interior.

All About Japanese Guesthouses
Guesthouses are a great way to enjoy an authentic and affordable stay in Japan and interact with locals. Join us as we take an inside look at the Japanese guesthouse industry with two guesthouse owners!

6 Common Sentence Endings in Japanese
Learning Japanese Life in Japan
Learning vocabulary and understanding grammar is important. But knowing these 6 sentence endings will come in handy even if you don't know how to navigate all of the intricate ins and outs of Japanese language!
Most Memorable Mundane Halloween Costumes 2020
Check out Jimi Halloween, celebrating the best of the most forgettable Halloween costumes.
Not All Use Chopsticks the 'Traditional' Way
As a society that thinks thoroughly about etiquette, there is, of course, a prescribed way to hold chopsticks. But, the vocabulary around the method being "correct" is being slowly changed to be called the traditional way, as we learn in this video.
Japan to Further Ease Entry Ban
The Japanese government is planning to ease COVID-19 border controls on foreign nationals from October by allowing new entrants with visas for stays of three months or more.
Smoking Area Artwork for Social Distancing
Officials of Tokyo’s Shinagawa Ward have come up with an artistic way to urge smokers to maintain social distancing.
Japan Considers State of Emergency for Tokyo
Japanese Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide says he is considering declaring a state of emergency over the coronavirus in Tokyo and three neighboring prefectures.
Kindergarten Renovated for 100-Year Birthday
Peep this dazzling update to a 100-year-old kindergarten using existing buildings!
Celebrities Pose for Playful, Stylized Photos
Welcome to the imaginative world of art director Yuni Yoshida, who has been using celebs to create magical images that play with the way we see reality.
2020's Kanji of the Year Revealed
Learning Japanese Life in Japan
As he does every December 12, the head abbot of Kiyomizudera Temple took his usual place in front of a blank board on the site’s famous balcony, raised a large brush, and began the strokes that revealed the top character for 2020.
More Foreign Than Japanese Residents in 2019
The Tokyo area welcomed more new foreign residents than Japanese citizens last year, marking the first time for the foreign population to increase faster than the Japanese one for the area since the ministry began separating such demographic data in 2012.
No Halloween Gathering in Shibuya in 2020
Officials of Tokyo’s Shibuya Ward have decided to ask people not to visit the iconic Scramble Crossing to celebrate Halloween this year, for fears of spreading COVID-19.
Centenarians Set Record High 50th Year in Row
The number of people in Japan aged 100 and above totaled 80,450 as of September 1, marking a record high for the 50th consecutive year.
The Travel Subsidy Program Is Going Forward
The Japanese government explained further details about the "Go To Travel" campaign to tourism agents and hotel operators just one day before the start of the domestic travel promotion program.
Homeowners Open Public Bath Under Their House
As thousands had been displaced in the 2016 Kumamoto Earthquake, the disaster revealed one of the flaws of the community: there were no public baths. Until now!
The New Works Playhouse Presents Karoshi
The New Works Playhouse presents Karoshi, an online production.
5 Easy Ways to Save Money Living in Japan
Life in Japan Japan Tips From Locals
It's never a bad idea to try to save a little money! Check out these 5 thrifty tricks to help you save your hard-earned yennies while living in Japan!
A Guide to Working Retail in Japan
Study in Japan Working in Japan
Whether your passion is fashion, you're interested in adding to your resume, or you need some part-time work, if you're considering a retail job in Japan, here is the ultimate guide to get you started!