Majority of Japanese men say they feel some discomfort seeing female janitors in men’s restrooms

Media personality’s comment sparks discussion about common occurrence. Like a lot of people, visits to the bathroom on my first few trips to Japan were a source of a lot of surprises,... Read more »

Let’s visit a German castle… in Okinawa!

We go where washi dare. Although located far south of the rest of Japan, Okinawa Prefecture’s Miyako Island is still very well known for its pristine beaches, oceans, and statues of police.... Read more »

Starbucks Japan quietly slips fans another Christmas present with Joyful Medley Strawberry Milk Tea

Some extra joy that we weren’t expecting, but definitely enjoyed. Getting your Christmas presents early is one of those things that sounds great at first, but sometimes turns out to be less... Read more »

How to get your money’s worth at an all-you-can-eat crepe challenge in Japan

Local hack will have you eating more crepes than you ever thought possible. Japan has a knack for putting a unique twist on overseas sweets, and that’s what it’s done with the... Read more »

Shimane has a secret hot spring town that feels like stepping into an old Japanese film

A World Heritage hot spring town with retro bathhouses and seafood feasts. We love uncovering hidden travel sites around Japan that take us away from the crowds and lead us to discovering... Read more »

9 Unique Japanese Jewelry Brands You Need To Add to Your Collection

Autumn–winter trends are leaning hard into statement jewelry this year — chunky metals, sculptural shapes, mixed gold-and-silver stacks and charms that have jumped from handbags onto belts and necklaces (thank you, Chloé... Read more »

U.S.A. now the fastest-growing market for Japan’s high-tech toilets, now selling quicker than ever

Toto’s Washlet is washing more and more backsides in the States, and there are likely two big reasons why the U.S. has started liking them for when it goes number two. “Japan... Read more »

Japanese group to hold fashion show of colostomy bags and other stoma equipment in Paris

Why hide it when you can accessorize it? There are estimates that the global population of ostomates is somewhere around 13 million and growing, and yet there is such a taboo about... Read more »

Japan’s Hiepita forehead cooling strips, so popular they changed the language, are disappearing

Sales of the cooling strips are not so hot, but why? In the world of Japanese marketing, there aren’t many product names on the level of Hiepita. Produced by Tokyo-based health and... Read more »

Record number of foreign children in Japan need help understanding Japanese in school

As Japan’s foreign population grows, its foreign kid count is getting bigger too, and educational systems might not be keeping up with the country’s changing demographics. As Japan’s foreign population continues to... Read more »