TRAVEL
More Than Matcha: A Guide to Uji, a Kyoto Travel Gem
Discover temples, tea culture, and hidden history just outside Kyoto.
samurai
TRAVEL
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…
ENTERTAINMENT
Kitano Takeshi: The Complete Ranked Filmography – Part: End
Coming to the end of our full ranking of his 20 movies, these are the six best films by director Kitano "Beat"…
HISTORY
Mount Fuji Eruption: The 1707 Disaster and Next Big One
What happened the last time the famed Mt. Fuji erupted? Learn about the Hoei Eruption, and the great crisis it caused during…
TRAVEL
Japanese Police Shut Down Tourist Sword “Tryouts”
Wanna slice something open with a samurai sword while in Japan? Well, you can't, because the Japanese police are party poopers.
JAPANESE LANGUAGE
Is That Japanese Town a “Chou” or a “Machi”?
The character 町 - pronounced either "chou" or "machi" - is common in Japanese town and neighborhood names. But how do you…
TRAVEL
Can You Buy a Samurai Sword in Japan? Yes, But…
Can you buy a sword in Japan? Yes, that part's relatively easy. The challenge is getting it OUT of the country.
HISTORY
To Kill a Shogun: The Sad Tale of Minamoto no Sanetomo
In 1219, the shogun Minamoto no Sanetomo, samurai lord of all Japan, was slain on the steps of Tsurugaoka Shrine in Kamakura,…