Japanese Language
Japan Discovers Changing Your “Kira-Kira” Name is Cheap (But Not Easy)
A viral post brings to light that changing a name in Japan is much cheaper than you might think... but that doesn't…
Articles by K. Lou
64 articles
Japanese Language
Sex & Nightlife
How Japan’s Nightlife Tourist Traps Pad Their Reviews
Japan's tourist traps know how to look trustworthy online, creating paid reviews, inflated ratings, and search rankings to mislead travelers.
Entertainment
Universal Studios Japan’s First Adults-Only Attraction is Such a Scream, It Requires a Waiver
Exactly what is it about this year's Halloween event that requires a waiver and an R-18 rating? Psychological horror and legal liability.
Travel
How Much Japanese Do You REALLY Need to Know to Visit Japan?
This is a question most travelers to Japan want to know. The answer is less about memorizing vocab and more about how…
Food
Shime-Parfait: The Sweet Way Japan Winds Down a Night Out
Learn all about the branding of shime-parfait and how a tradition of an after-drink sweet in Sapporo spread across the country.
Travel
Shuri Castle’s Main Hall is Reopening. Here’s How to Visit
Seven years after a devastating fire, Shuri Castle is reopening on November 23. Learn more about its history and how to visit.
Travel
Who Pays for Your “Free” Japan Itinerary?
Nothing in life is free. So how exactly do travel agencies get paid when they customize a "free" itinerary? An honest look…
Women
Four Stalls for 68 Women: Japan’s Diet Finally Fixes Its Own Toilet Gap
Japan's government is finally taking steps to address its toilet gap between men and women, but there's still a long way to…