TRAVEL
Japan’s New Tax-Free Rules Will Give Shoppers Less Money Back
Japan's new tax-free shopping rules start November, leaving handling to private operators and leaving tourists with less than a full refund.
shopping
TRAVEL
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…
WOMEN
Pink Tax, Japan: Social Media Users Ask Why Women Get Upcharged
The term "pink tax" hasn't trended much in Japan. That changed recently as women went online to compare notes on the subtle…
TRAVEL
Tea, Irises, and Nordic Homeware: Visit These Four Tokyo Spots Before They Get Trendy
Tokyo always offers "unseen" spots to explore. Here are four we've found lately, including a black tea experience and a hidden bento…
TRAVEL
Bunkitsu Tokyo: New, Sprawling Bookstore Cafe Is a Wonderland of Relaxation
The massive new bookstore, with over 100,000 books, offers three cafes where you can choose to hang out for an hour -…
INSIDER
Exploring The Unseen Side of Downtown Shibuya
Want to see something beyond Shibuya Scramble? Here's a guide to some of the chiller places outside of the city's beating heart.
TRAVEL
Tourists Love These “Hidden” Travel Gems In Tokyo
Looking for a quiet spot away from the crowds? Tourists to Tokyo rated these three locations as their favorite pit stops.
BUSINESS AND ECONOMY
Village Vanguard: Why Japan’s Iconic Subculture Stores Are Struggling
Village Vanguard is a bookstore and then some. But its recent financial troubles indicate it might have stretched itself too thin.