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…
Articles by K. Lou
58 articles
Travel
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…
Travel
Japan’s New Tax-Free Rules Will Give Shoppers Less Money Back
Japan's new tax-free shopping rules start November, leaving handling to private operators and leaving tourists with less than a full refund.
Japanese Language
Why Does Japan Have So Many Last Names Compared to China and Korea?
Why does Japan have hundreds of thousands of surnames while China and Korea rely on a handful? The answer lies in a…
Food
Ōsawa Takamasa’s Tokyo Restaurant Only Serves Biryani. It’s Earned Him Michelin Praise
Inside Biriyani Osawa: a tiny, reservation-only Tokyo spot serving one pot of biryani per seating, praised in the Michelin Guide Tokyo 2026.
Travel
Japan Is Building a Separate Transport Network for Tourists’ Luggage
A new hands-free travel service is part of Japan's latest effort to separate the flow of people from property.
Travel
The Tokyo Neighborhoods With Japan’s Most Acclaimed Restaurants, According to Its Harshest Reviewers
Which Tokyo neighborhoods really have the best food? Tabelog scores from 794 restaurants reveal surprising winners and losers across the city.
Living in Japan
“Katakana Hell”: The Culture Shocks Japan’s Asian Immigrants Actually Face
What surprises Asian immigrants in Japan? From corporate jargon to the country's famously indirect "no," there's a lot to navigate.