Culture
An Old Public Bathhouse in Kyoto Becomes a Concert Venue
Japan's public bathhouses are struggling to stay alive. Here's how one Kyoto venue found a unique solution for preserving communal space.
The latest Japan travel and culture news
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Culture
Food
Why Female Yakitori Chefs Are So Rare in Japan
Why are there so few female yakitori chefs? The story behind what keeps women out, and three female chefs defying the odds.
Women
Four Stalls for 68 Women: Japan’s Diet Finally Fixes Its Own Toilet Gap
Japan's government is finally taking steps to address its toilet gap between men and women, but there's still a long way to…
Race in Japan
Fact Check: No, Muslims Aren’t Burning Down Japan’s Temples and Shrines
A common right-wing trope on Japanese social media alleges a Muslim-led arson wave in Japan that doesn't exist.
Sex & Nightlife
Oppai Bars: How Japan’s “Sexy Cabaret” Stay Legal, and Whether Foreigners Can Go
What oppai bars are, how they work, and how Japan's ever-changing entertainment laws helped bring them into being.
Insider
Maiko: I Tried to Leave the Geisha World. They Sent Me a Bill
A former maiko who says she was harassed and abused in Japan's geisha world is now telling her story, including the enormous…
Travel
Japan’s New Tax-Free Rules Will Give Shoppers Less Money Back
Japan's new tax-free shopping rules start November, leaving handling to private operators and leaving tourists with less than a full refund.
Culture
Why You Still Need Cash in Japan: A Cautionary Tale
You just finished your meal at a Japanese restaurant. Then you realize the store only takes cash. Don't panic - here's what…