Essay

CULTURE

A Japanese City’s “Banana Princess” Returns

A popular city mascot resumes her vaunted role. Learn about Japan's history of "discount banana hawking", and how it gave birth to…

ENTERTAINMENT

What Makes Japanese Idol Culture Unique?

How did Japan become the birthplace of manufactured girl groups? A look into the historic roots of Japanese idol culture and how…

SOCIETY

Is Japan Really THAT Clean?

The stereotype holds that Japan is a meticulously clean country. Emma Ford looks at the difference between public and private behavior, and…

CULTURE

How Netflix’s MANIAC Makes (Some) Strides Melding Cultures

Netflix's MANIAC, directed by Japanese-American auteur Cary Joji Fukunaga, melds Japanese and American cultures convincingly. But in other ways, the series still…

FOOD

Looks Like Chicken: My First Time (Accidentally) Eating Horse in Japan

The first time I ate raw horse in Tokyo, it was all a big linguistic misunderstanding.

CULTURE

A Tansu Full of Dollars: Why Japan Has Such a Hardcore Savings Culture

Why does Japan save more money on average than the rest of the world?

FEATURED

Religion in Japan: A Complex and Intricate Affair

Why, in a country littered with shrines and temples, does the majority of the population claim to practice no religion?

CULTURE

Respect for the Aged Day: Its Origins and Celebration in Japan

What is Respect for the Aged Day? An overview of Japan's national holiday, including its origins and related cultural myths.