Travel
More Foreign Tourists Are Causing Traffic Accidents Around Mt. Fuji
There are more tourists than ever in Yamanashi Prefecture - and they're setting a new record for traffic accidents.
Articles by Nyri Bakkalian
53 articles
Travel
Culture
Morioka’s Sansa Odori Festival Dances the Demon Away
It's a must see event if you'll be in Japan in August. Learn about the history and tradition behind the Morioka Sansa…
Food
New Law Threatens Homemade Japanese Pickles (Tsukemono)
Tsukemono (Japanese pickles) are a traditional dietary staple. But could a new law drive drive small mom-and-pop makers out of business?
Travel
Japan’s Large Buddhist Statue in Sendai Now a Lovely Pink
It used to be the tallest statue in Japan and is still a major tourist attraction. But why is the Sendai Daikannon…
Travel
From Ninja to Ramen: Top 10 Places to Visit in Kyoto
A recent survey asked tourists to Kyoto about their favorite spots. Here are their top five - along with five recommendations from…
Culture
仙台四郎 (Sendai Shirō): The Silent Man Sendai Calls a God of Fortune
How a man in Japan's city of Sendai became regarded as a "god of good fortune" whose image still persists today.
Japanese Language
These Uncommon Kanji May Surprise You!
Japan maintains an "official" list of kanji. But some "unofficial" kanji are also in common use - and chances are you know…
Society
“Barrier-Free Hearts:” One Disabled Man’s Plea for a Gentler Japan
How a disabled man in Japan used what might have been a negative encounter with subway priority seats as a teaching moment.