K. Lou

Women

Japanese City Tries Gamification to Get More Husbands to Do Housework

Fukushima is launching an experimental app to see if gamifying housework will help close the chore gap in Japanese households.

Travel

It Takes Residents 2 Hours to Leave Home at This Nara Tourist Destination

Soni Village has beautiful fields of Japanese silver grass, and also a somewhat unique overtourism problem.

Living in Japan

JLPT Seats Are Running Out as Japan Ties More Visas to Japanese Tests

Just as the government is adding Japanese-language requirements to certain visas, the twice-yearly JLPTs are getting seriously crowded.

Travel

What Happens If You Get Sick While Traveling in Japan?

Sick in Japan? Don't panic. Learn where tourists can get care, what it costs, and why travel insurance matters.

Food

Shake (鮭) vs. Salmon (サーモン): How Norwegian Salmon Became a Sushi Staple in Japan

Curious why there are two names for salmon in Japanese? There's an interesting historical (and scientific!) reason behind that.

Food

Is That Izakaya a Trap? Japanese Eaters Say Watch Out for These Warning Signs

What you need to know to avoid the typical izakaya traps: all about touting, snuck-in fees, and fishy business practices.

Travel

Japan’s Love Hotels Advertising as Ordinary Hotels is Biting Travelers (Not in the Good Way)

Sometimes, love hotels mask themselves as ordinary hotels. Learn the key differences and what to look for when booking your next trip.

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…