Why Do Japanese People Think Fish Don’t Have Feelings?

iStock/ Hakase_ I recently read a 2005 study that stated about 70% of Japanese people believe fish don’t have feelings.  Japan eats more fish per capita than many countries and fishing is... Read more »

Classic shojo manga magazine Ribon partners with 3 Coins for nostalgic lifestyle goods series

Set your heart aflutter with an impressive 92 goods from six nostalgic and beloved stories that first ran in Ribon. Japanese budget chain 3 Coins is dropping a new collaborative lineup on... Read more »

Plain, protein, and yakisoba…there’s a takoyaki for all at this specialty shop in Tokyo

We delight in some unusual octo-offerings at this Osaka-based takoyaki shop right smack in the middle of our own neighborhood. Takoyaki: the quintessential soul food of Osaka. You’d be hard-pressed to visit... Read more »

Tokyo cafe staffed by robots piloted by paralyzed and otherwise housebound people

It’s the Dawn of a new restaurant experience. A few years back, we reported on Dawn ver. Beta, a cutting-edge cafe that employed paralyzed people as waiters by giving them robots to... Read more »

City in Japan proposes ordinance with daily smartphone usage limit, even for adults

Ironically, this really doesn’t seem like the best way for civic leaders to be using their time. On Thursday, the city of Toyoake, in Aichi Prefecture, announced that it plans to introduce... Read more »

The number of tourists was declining in this Japanese city, but Ono is now making its comeback

Bouncing back after a natural disaster, Ono showcases the charm of its floating castle, pristine springs, and soy sauce gelato. If you know anything about Fukui Prefecture, it’s probably that it has... Read more »

How to turn a Japanese kei car into a yankee party vehicle with accessories from Don Quijote

Pimp your ride like a hooligan for under 70 bucks. Japan is a treasure trove for car enthusiasts, with loads of great stores stocking a huge variety of products to customise your... Read more »

Are ‘coolcations’ the answer for Japan’s heat-weary tourists?

Hakuba, Nagano Pref. – On a recent Saturday, while much of Japan sweltered under punishing heat and humidity, groups of hikers were savoring the crisp mountain air on an off-peak ski slope... Read more »

The Secret Story of Mitsubishi

Mitsubishi is known primarily for three things: reliable cars, rocket launches and finance. While it’s not the biggest Japanese company, it is, at least, in the top three. You see the name... Read more »

World’s climate change crisis has tourists seeking ‘coolcations’

Record heat waves, blazing wildfires and oppressive humidity are transforming the world’s tourism industry as holidaymakers struggle to deal with the havoc wrought by climate change. That’s seen a growing number look... Read more »