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Essay
They're expensive, colorful, and have their own devoted fan following. Learn how Japan's manhole covers have crossed over from utilitarian objects to objects of art.
Japanese food is so much more than sushi and ramen. Learn about some of the different types of restaurants you can find when you visit.
How the Japan Post's unique development and services improved the economy of a nation - its successes, its controversies, and the origin of that famous "T" symbol.
In the mid-1980s, a Japanese salaryman declared himself the reincarnation of Buddha and Hermes. Now his religious organization claims millions of adherents.
In Japan, what you call your partner in front of other people can be a confusing question - and one laden with a lot of cultural baggage.
How the case of Furuta Junko led Japan's press to break the rules, and citizens to question the country's juvenile criminal law.
Known as a uneventful, markedly "boring" show, Terrace House has still gained a massive following overseas. But how much of it is truly "natural"?
How accurately do movies, cartoons, and games portray the ninja of Japan? Not very. Learn about the true tradition of the ninja.
How a music-fueled rebellion against conformity and fixed gender roles became a significant cultural movement in Japan - and why some people are still trying to keep it alive.