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.
The latest Japan travel and culture news
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Sex & Nightlife
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…
Travel
Perfume in Japan: Why Less Is More, and Where to Wear None at All
Will your perfume cause problems? Here's what to know about what to wear (and when not to wear anything) while traveling in…
Culture
Japan’s Extreme Heat is Killing Off Its Cultural Traditions One by One
As Japan gets hotter, age-old cultural rituals such as radio calisthenics, going to the beach, and even Obon dances are suffering.
Japanese Language
Why Does Japan Have So Many Last Names Compared to China and Korea?
Why does Japan have hundreds of thousands of surnames while China and Korea rely on a handful? The answer lies in a…
Food
Ōsawa Takamasa’s Tokyo Restaurant Only Serves Biryani. It’s Earned Him Michelin Praise
Inside Biriyani Osawa: a tiny, reservation-only Tokyo spot serving one pot of biryani per seating, praised in the Michelin Guide Tokyo 2026.