CULTURE
The Myth of Japanese Indirectness and “Subtlety”
Stereotypes of Japan as a land of vague meaning and blunted expression are just straight up Orientalism that obscure a complex reality.
culture
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CULTURE
FOOD
Haskap: Hokkaido’s Unique and Scrumptious Winter Berry
Have you heard of haskap? Meet the unique berry from Hokkaido in Japan that's been taking off in popularity.
BOOK REVIEWS
Review: Poetry and Prose Dance in Ito Hiromi’s The Thorn Puller
Ito Hiromi's The Thorn Puller tackles subjects like aging, death, and suffering while also illuminating the bittersweet joy of being alive.
SOCIAL MEDIA
“Silent Hill” Sign: A Frightening Warning Draws Attention in Japan
A fitting sign for "Silent Hill": A warning sign in Shizuoka Prefecture's Izu City is so spooky it's gone viral. But who…
BUSINESS AND ECONOMY
It’s Official: Japan’s “High-End” Shokupan Bread Boom is Bust
It was fun while it lasted. But it seems that Japan's boom of classy shokupan bread shops (yes that's a thing) has…
FOOD
Momiji Tempura: A Unique Japanese Snack for the Fall
Fall leaves mean gorgeous colors - but for some, they also mean a scrumptious snack. Learn about the momiji tempura of Minoh.
ENTERTAINMENT
Don’t Smoke This Flower, Warns Staff of Popular Anime
A striking post from an illustrator on the anime Lycoris Recoil also carried a warning about a pretty - but deadly -…
FOOD
Mugicha: A Short History of Japanese Barley Tea
It's been a staple since Japan's Heian era. Learn about the history of mugicha (Japanese barley tea) and why it remains so…