INSIDER
Japan Doesn’t Love AI As Much As You Think It Does
Does Japan REALLY welcome its new robot overlords? A deep dive into what Japan thinks about AI.
shinto
INSIDER
RACE IN JAPAN
Fact Check: No, Muslims Aren’t Burning Down Japan’s Temples and Shrines
A common right-wing trope on Japanese social media alleges a Muslim-led arson wave in Japan that doesn't exist.
CULTURE
Pentagrams and Boulder Gods: Japan’s Shrines That Break the Mold
A boulder as an object of worship. A "breakup shrine" that's a stone covered in papers. Meet the Shinto shrines that defy…
INSIDER
Urine Nation: Japan’s 150-Years-Long War Against Peeing in Public
During Japan's Edo Era, peeing in the street wasn't a crime, but a contribution to the economy. Here's how Meiji Japan, anxious…
TRAVEL
Fukuoka: Why It’s Japan’s Underrated Best City for Tourists
A growing destination, Fukuoka is managing the potential pitfalls of overtourism through a mix of yatai and downtown development.
TRAVEL
Why This Shinto Shrine Near Sendai Airport is Drawing Inbound Tourists
It doesn't have the same cultural heft as other shrines. So why are tourists to Japan flocking to this shrine near Sendai…
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.