CULTURE
Why There’s an 11-Meter Goddess Inside This Tokyo Department Store
It's impossible to miss: a soaring goddess ensconced inside a paragon of capitalism. What inspired a sculptor to carve this mysterious figure…
buddhism
CULTURE
TRAVEL
Bon Odori: Inside Japan’s Soulful Summer Dance Tradition
Every summer, neighborhoods and remote mountain villages across Japan ring with taiko, flute, and shuffling feet. Bon Odori is Japan's quietly extraordinary…
TRAVEL
More Than Matcha: A Guide to Uji, a Kyoto Travel Gem
Discover temples, tea culture, and hidden history just outside Kyoto.
TRAVEL
A Quick Guide to Japan’s Best Ancient Pilgrimage Trails
In contrast to Japan's big cities, the country's ancient pilgrimage trails offer a radically different (and quieter) experience.
CULTURE
Would You Live in a ‘Jiko Bukken’? Over Half in Japan Say Yes – If the Price Is Right
While such properties have long been stigmatized, attitudes may be changing as the cost of everything rises.
CULTURE
Setsubun: Japan’s Demon-Expelling Festival for Kids of All Ages
Demons out, luck in! How the festival of Setsubun evolved into a tradition enjoyed by kids across Japan every year.
INSIDER
How the CDP/Kōmeitō Alliance Could Succeed – Or Blow Up
The success or failure of the Alliance could set the tone for Japanese politics for the next decade (or longer).
POLITICS
How Religion and Politics Are Intertwined in Japan
Some say that Japan isn't religious. You wouldn't conclude that by looking at the country's political parties, though.