Lifestyle
Sun protection culture: Are you a sun worshiper or shade seeker?
In Japan, sun protection is taken to a whole new level. We’re all familiar with the near-unbearable heat during the summer, as we search for different ways to stay cool, but is protecting our skin still an afterthought? In the West, sunscreen remains the most common choice of sun protection,… Read
5 places in Japan you are not allowed to visit (and how to still enjoy them)
With so many wonderful places to visit in Japan, the fact that there are a few that do not allow visitors is hardly an issue for tourists or even locals. And yet for many, the abundance of accessible possibilities does nothing to quench the allure of the forbidden. Of course, attempting to actually… Read
Handmade in Japan Fest to be held July 22-23 at Tokyo Big Sight
Creema, operator of Japan's largest handmade marketplace, will hold the Handmade in Japan Fest at Tokyo Big Sight on July 22-23. The theme of this year's festival is “Big Love.” There will also be a special 10th anniversary project based on the theme. The market is expected to attract 3,000 creators… Read
A beginner’s summertime survival guide to Japanese air conditioners
Summer is hot and humid in Japan, and this year especially so. So it’s kind of surprising that in a recent survey from air conditioner manufacturer Daikin, quite a few people said they don’t like running their air conditioner in the summer. Daikin collected responses from 1,046 people between the ages… Read
From lease to keys: Buying your apartment in Japan
After you’ve lived in Japan for a long time, you will eventually start thinking about looking to buy a house or apartment. After all, it gives you something with value and allows you to finally make those renovations that you wanted. While jumping into purchasing may seem spontaneous and, dare I say, romantic, there… Read
Haunted homicidal hide and seek in a rugby stadium coming to Osaka this summer
It’s once again summer in Japan, which is when people’s thoughts turn to ghouls and ghosts as a way to stay cool. I never quite felt especially cooler myself, but it’s still a good excuse to get a Halloween season that lasts around three months, so I’m not complaining. Summer… Read
Japanese life insurance company develops dating sim where you’re not supposed to get insurance
There are many young adults in Japan that don’t understand life insurance options or have a negative view of them, but one company is aiming to change that with what the people want: hot dating sims with sexy voices. On June 29, Japan’s Mitsui Sumitomo Aioi Life Insurance Company released… Read
Reviving the classroom spirit: Managing an unmotivated English class
It’s a busy day if you’re an English teacher in Japan. You might have four lessons, so you race to your classroom. They’re a good bunch of students and are always happy to see you. You crack open the door to the familiar faces and take your spot at the front… Read
The top 10 most appealing of Tokyo’s 23 wards to live in after retirement
Tokyo’s 23 special wards, known as ku (区) in Japanese, function more or less on an equivalent level to a municipality. They make up the entire eastern part of Tokyo Prefecture and form the “heart” of the city, while the western part of the prefecture is composed of other municipalities, including… Read
On the road again: Japan’s rest stops and roadside stations
Japan’s rail system is deservedly praised, with efficient and clean trains that run pretty much everywhere in the country. There’s another way to get around the country though, one that visitors and even long-term residents may not be taking advantage of. I’m talking about cars. While it can be relaxing to plop… Read
