The latest Japan travel and culture news

FOOD

Fukushima Prefecture Announces New High-Quality Rice, Branding

With the announcement of a new variety of top-tier rice, Fukushima hopes to further unravel the unfair stigma of the 2011 tsunami.

JAPANESE LANGUAGE

Learn to Speak Japanese (Without Going to Japan)

Want to learn to speak Japanese? No need to wait to go to Japan - just open your mouth! Here's how to…

FEATURED

White Day in Japan Doesn’t Solve Gender Gap Issues

White Day is a holiday in Japan believed to solve the gender gap issues created by Valentine's Day. But does it really?

FOOD

Japanese Kitchen Knives: Like Katanas for Your Kitchen

Why are Japanese kitchen knives so popular? Learn the history behind the blades - and how to buy one that's right for…

CULTURE

Kansai Expo 2025 Logo Wishes for Sweet Release of Death

The winning logo for the Kansai Expo 2025 was met with skepticism on Japanese Twitter - and spawned an avalanche of parodies.

CULTURE

Ancestral Ainu Remains Returned by Tokyo University

A long fight by Japan's indigenous Ainu results in a hard-won victory - but much more remains to be done.

LGBTQ

Japan Feminist Org Essay Defends TERFs, Draws Fire

A feminist organization in Japan draws a fierce backlash with an essay defending J.K. Rowling and discrimination against transgender people.

FOOD

Wasabi Kit Kat: Disgusting? Or Delicious?

You probably know wasabi as the spicy, sinus-clearing green paste that goes on sushi. But would you ever pair it with chocolate?