CULTURE
A Japanese City’s “Banana Princess” Returns
A popular city mascot resumes her vaunted role. Learn about Japan's history of "discount banana hawking", and how it gave birth to…
tourism
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CULTURE
NEWS
Night Pools: Japan’s Hottest New Instagrammable Attraction – And a Good Way to Beat the Heat
Night pools have been gaining in popularity the past few years - and with the hot weather, that trend is only increasing.
NEWS
Hakone’s Curry Bread and Footbath Combo is Selling Like Hotcakes
A unique combination of mouth-watering Japanese bread and natural foot massage is packing them in at a bakery in the popular tourist…
NEWS
No, The City of Iga Does Not Have a Ninja Shortage
How an NPR Fake News story forced one Japanese city to clarify its ninja hiring policy.
ESSAY
Nara Dreamland: How It Became a Nightmare
It was meant to be a paradise. But it ended up a nightmare instead. The story of how Nara Dreamland came to…
NEWS
The Yakuza, Japan’s Gangsters, Eager for New Gambling Regulations
A pachinko parlor, currently the only form of legalized casino-style gambling in Japan.
NEWS
Tokyo Tower’s Aquarium is in Trouble
Japan loves the ocean (it's surrounded by it, so it's almost a survival instinct), and a favorite Japanese pastime is going to…