Photo: A manhole cover with an image of Hiyoko-chan (Image provided by Ikeda City in Osaka) In the city of Ikeda in Osaka, known as...
The Japanese started playing rugby in the late 1890s, just a few decades after the foundation of the Rugby Union in England and the formalization of...
In early November, one of the most important ceremonies of the new era is set to take place. The Emperor Naruhito will visit Ise...
This article was prompted after reading an explanation why the Japanese cannot speak proper English — that, supposedly, post-war U.S. occupation authorities did not allow...
Suddenly no one was interested in their own selfie, they just wanted to watch B-Boy Taisuke flipping and freezing in the middle of the street. As...
“The train does not run through a real tunnel, but it will take you through a ‘green’ one” “When the air-conditioner is turned on and...
You might have heard of ohanami, the wonderfully decadent practice of admiring cherry blossoms in the spring. But have you heard of otsukimi? Japan, in...
What is Japan’s “national sport”? It depends on what is meant by “national,” or if we’re talking about spectators or participants, amateur or professional....
Pillow fighting as a sport! Most of us have enjoyed a good pillow fight at some time in our lives. (If you haven’t, you don’t...
In Gunma Prefecture a few hours north of Tokyo lies Doai Station, the deepest train station in Japan. With its platform located 70 meters underground...
The Kiyotsukyo Gorge Tunnel (Tokamachi City, Niigata Prefecture) is enveloped in chilly air as I walk through. After about a 20-minute stroll, the 750-meter passageway...
(Second of Two Parts) Read Part 1 at this link. The second installment of this two-part report on the remnants of Tokyo’s extensive...
