CULTURE
Japan’s Zine Boom: Self-Made Magazines Take Off in the AI Era
Why more people in Japan are forsaking YouTube and TikTok videos and crafting their own magazines by hand.
art
CULTURE
TRAVEL
Exploring Naoshima: The Stunning Art Islands of Seto Inland Sea
The islands used to be known for copper production. These days, they're one of the most-discussed art destinations worldwide.
TRAVEL
Shikoku: Japan’s Most Overlooked Main Island for Travelers?
It may take a while to get there. But from hiking to udon, there's plenty to do in this gem of Japan…
HISTORY
Hanafuda: How a Banned Card Game Defined the Pre-Pokémon Era
Before Mario, Nintendo sold hanafuda cards to the yakuza. Read the 400-year forbidden history of the flower cards that tricked the Shogun.
ENTERTAINMENT
How an AI Manga Became a Bestseller on Japan’s Largest e-Book Store
How did a fully AI-generated manga hit number one in Japan? And what does its success portend for the future of the…
CULTURE
Photo Contest in Japan Rescinds Award for Stolen AI-Generated Pic
The submitter confessed that they didn't even "create" the work themselves but instead took a pre-generated image from a website.
ENTERTAINMENT
Popular Running Barn Owl Pic Memorialized by Japan’s Irasutoya
A popular photo has been immortalized as a fun illustration thanks to Japan's premier free stock illustration site.
HISTORY
Haniwa! New Exhibit Showcases Japan Before It Became Japan
Want a rare peak into Japan's pre-history? An expanded exhibit at Tokyo National Museum is celebrating Haniwa, funerary statues from the country's…