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.
history
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CULTURE
HISTORY
Shinjuku: The Birth of Kabukicho
How Kabukicho, Japan's biggest red light district, arose from the ashes of post-war Japan.
HISTORY
Shinjuku: The History and Origins of the World’s Biggest Nightlife District
The world's largest nightlife district, Shinjuku is nearly synonymous with Tokyo itself - yet wasn't even part of old Tokyo. Where do…
TRAVEL
Edo-Tokyo Museum Finally Set to Reopen in March 2026
One of Tokyo's most beloved and culturally significant museums is finally set to reopen to the public on March 31st.
LIVING IN JAPAN
Vacation Guilt: Why Japanese Workers (Still) Can’t Rest
Social mores play a big role in why Japanese workers say they report to the office even when they're sick.
HISTORY
The War of Brides and Babies: Behind Japan’s “Anti-Communist” Mixed-Race Baby Boom
How the Red Cross and other organizations used war brides and the adoption of mixed-race children to fight the Cold War.
TRAVEL
Unseen Shimane: Despite Japan’s Tourism Boom, the “Land of the Gods” Ranks Last
As tourists create overcrowded conditions across Japan, one of the country's most spiritually symbolic prefectures remains overlooked.
ENTERTAINMENT
Japan’s Latest Hit Capsule Toy Is Random People
The photos of random government IDs are the latest in a long line of offbeat collectibles that span the toy's 60-year history.