Travel
Japan Just Made Visiting More Expensive: Departure Tax, Visa Fees Jump
On the same day that departure tax and visa fees for travelers went up, passport application fees for Japanese nationals went down.
The latest Japan travel and culture news
Travel
Sex & Nightlife
Is Kabukicho Safe? How to Navigate Tokyo’s Raucous Nightlife District
The answer is yes - but you should be aware of a few rules and these common traps before stepping foot inside…
Culture
Japan’s New “Maid School” Trains Professionals for the Mansion, Not the Maid Cafe
Forget maid cafés. Japan Maid School is training professionals for luxury private homes, focusing on housekeeping, etiquette, and discretion.
Sex & Nightlife
Japan Tried to End the Host Club to Sex Work Pipeline. It Hasn’t Worked
It's been a year since the crackdown, but data show that host clubs haven't changed. If anything, some say they've become "more…
Society
Japan’s Hikikomori “80/50” Crisis is Putting a Strain on Elderly Parents
Japan coined the word "hikikomori" for its withdrawn young people. But its reclusive population has quietly aged.
Travel
Japan’s Capsule Hotels: Why They May Be a Better Option Than You Think
Japan's capsule hotels are notorious for packing as many people into as small a space as possible. One type of capsule hotel,…
Law & Crime
Why Did This School in Japan Quietly Fire a Teacher for Sexual Coercion?
A teacher emailed a student 192 times, ordering her to commit sex acts. Why did it take 18 months after his dismissal…
Business and Economy
Genericide, Japan Edition: How Japan’s Famous Names Slipped Into Common Speech
Like escalator and aspirin, Japan has its own list of trademarks that have succumbed to popular usage. But while some companies aggressively…