Police kill the party vibe at this tourist hotspot, but the city still has its problems. For most locals, Tokyo’s Shibuya scramble crossing is simply a place to cross the street. In... Read more »

As she settles into the nation’s top office, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s energy policy is coming into focus. Conventional nuclear power and the pursuit of futuristic technologies like nuclear fusion are being... Read more »

Despite Seiji’s copyrighted music playing on TV for the first time, why didn’t he get a big, fat check?! Our resident pro musician Japanese-language writer, Seiji Nakazawa, has made decent progress the... Read more »

With the rise of the Pride Parade in Tokyo’s Shibuya and Harajuku, to the pressure on the Tokyo Government to officially recognize same-sex partnerships, there’s a lot to celebrate in Japan. However,... Read more »

A short walk from one of the world’s busiest transport hubs, CHILLAXY Shinjuku operates at the intersection of Tokyo’s nightlife, global travel routes and an evolving conversation around legal relaxation. The shop... Read more »

Can it make both your stomach and wallet happy? Sweets Paradise is the dreamlike, all-you-can-eat dessert chain where sweets lovers can enjoy the sugar rush of their lives at very reasonable prices.... Read more »

In the Year of the Horse, the Japanese proverb kouma no asagake — a foal’s morning gallop — offers a timely warning. It’s a reminder not to sprint out of the gate... Read more »

The colorful displays and activities make Tamagotchi feel a lot less stressful than what we remember. If you grew up in the late ‘90s or early 2000s, it’s quite likely you’ll feel... Read more »

There is something delightfully Japanese about love hotels. In fast-paced, efficient Tokyo, everything is orderly, compartmentalized and for sale. If you want to hug animals, you go to a cat cafe, or... Read more »