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A scenic view of Meiji Mura buildings near a stone stairwell, fringed on either side by lush greenery.

Meiji Mura: A Journey to Japan’s Modern Past

In Japan, the recent past is often obscured beneath endless concrete. Meiji Mura is one of the few places to discover the atmosphere of modernizing, turn-of-the-century Japan.
Sendai Tanabata decorations hanging from a sign in a covered shopping area.

Tanabata in Sendai: An Old-School Star Festival

Tanabata is one of Japan's most famous holidays. In northern Sendai, however, it's a little extra special. Discover the story of one of Japan's greatest festivals.
A faded image from Meiji Japan featuring the Asakusa Twelve Stories, also known as the Ryounkaku

The Disappearance of Meiji: Why it’s Hard to Find Tokyo’s Recent Past

In Tokyo, the recent past is often obscured beneath endless concrete. Take a journey through the city's history to discover why.
The equestrian statue of Date Masamune in Sendai.

Lost and Restored: The Equestrian Statue of Date Masamune

A massive earthquake struck northern Japan, damaging the famed statue of Date Masamune in Sendai. But Date - and Sendai - are nothing if not resilient.

Abortion In Japan: A History

A look at how abortion in Japan evolved throughout the ages, from a financial necessity to a call for the acknowledgment of women's rights.

Shigenobu Fusako, Japanese Red Army Leader, to be Released from Prison this Month

After twenty years, Shigenobu Fusako, the face of the infamous international Japanese Red Army, will see the end of her prison sentence.
A girl engages in saboru - she throws her textbook away.

Saboru: The Strange Origins of “Cutting Class” in Japanese

Mass strikes, the creation of the 8-hour workday, and an early 20th-century vogue for foreign words - all led to the most popular Japanese word many don't even realize is foreign in origin.
Sakura cherry blossom tree in Miyagi.

How Sakura Blossoms Gained Cultural Significance in Japan

The sakura (cherry blossom) is practically synonymous with Japan. Here's a deeper look at the history of this fascinating flower's popularity
Usui Rokuro, who carried out the last samurai vendetta, with blood-splatter

The Last Samurai Vendetta: The Revenge of Usui Rokuro

In 1873, the newly-minted Meiji government banned the age-old practice of kataki-uchi: blood revenge. Seven years later, the son of a murdered samurai would take his vengeance nonetheless.

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