In 1219, the shogun Minamoto no Sanetomo, samurai lord of all Japan, was slain on the steps of Tsurugaoka Shrine in Kamakura - by his own nephew no less. What tragic series of events instigated this high-profile assassination?
Japan is often described as a one-party, conservative state - and yet, for over a decade, a highly popular socialist led the government of Tokyo. Meet Governor Minobe below.
Whether you're traveling to Japan or planning a trip in-country, these onsen are bucket list experiences for everyone. Find out which ones you should check out on your next holiday below.
ICYMI: Large cities in Japan, like Tokyo and Osaka, have amazing public transportation. But you can’t see much from a subway. Consider getting around on a bicycle instead. Here's how.
The weak yen is a big boon to tourists coming to Japan. But for Japanese traveling abroad, it's forcing them to economize, with some bringing their food with them.
As the yen continues to hurtle downwards (it hit 155 yen to the US dollar this week), it's time to reconsider working in Japan unless you earn in USD. Here's why it's harder than ever to justify working here. (We wrote this in November 2022, but it's even more true today.)
There are many debates around how to eat sushi properly. One point of contention: how do you dip your nigiri-zushi in soy sauce - rice-first? Or topping-first? Here's what one expert etiquette says is the right way to eat it.
This is why we can't have nice things: an influx of tourism is forcing officials to close off an iconic picture spot of Mt. Fuji. The spot where tourists take pics of Fuji towering over a local Lawson will be blocked off as of May 2nd. Learn more about why below.
ICYMI: The spread of a flesh-eating bacteria didn't stop more tourists from entering Japan and spending more money than ever. A new government report says that the first quarter of 2024 shattered records for inbound visitors to Japan. Where are these tourists coming from?
Canned coffee originated as a way to make coffee easier for busy workers to buy and drink during their commute. Reportedly, Ueshima Tadao, founder of UCC, came up with the idea when he had to abandon his hot coffee one day when his train arrived too early.
With the film now available on Netflix, you may be wondering if Suzume, the next effort from anime director Shinkai Makoto, is worth your time. Our reviewer explains why he found it "one of the most exciting anime films I’ve seen in years."
Meiji has a long and storied history dating back to Japan’s Taisho Era. Over the years, it’s produced many successful products. But two similar products have torn the country’s loyalties in twain. Read on to learn more about the Great Meiji Mushroom and Bamboo Battle.
"The discussion over separate spousal surnames in Japan is highly emotional. Some claim Japan needs to protect the traditional form of family based on the current family registration system. The debate overlooks the impact the current law has on women in Japan…such as myself."
Bakeneko generally continue to resemble ordinary cats. According to legends, a bakeneko can be identified by the pupils of its eyes constantly changing shape, its fur emitting lightning-like sparks, or its tendency to wear a cloth or napkin covering its head.
ICYMI: The Association of Shinto Shrines is a powerhouse in the Shinto world. However, with shrines nationwide turning their backs, its once unshakable power is not as mighty as it once was.
If you pay attention to cyclists in Japan for a few minutes, you’ll realize that what's legal and what cyclists do are two different things. You’ll see people bicycling on both the left and right sides of the road, blowing past stop lights, and generally being menaces.
ICYMI: In the next decade, you may need an ESTA equivalent to enter Japan. By 2030, the Immigration Services Agency will have a screening system to ensure illegal travelers and potential overstayers never set foot in the nation.
"Rikejo is an abbreviation for rikei-joshi (理系女子) - women who seek careers in science. Although some women use this term voluntarily, it's clear that the word connotes a mocking nuance. And there’s no word in the lexicon that corresponds to men in the science field."
Japanese food etiquette has a series of dos and don'ts. But one etiquette expert says even most Japanese people get these things wrong. Learn how to level-up your food manners game in Japan in our latest.
Kinji Fukasaku’s 1970s gangster movies upended decades of depictions of the yakuza and held up a mirror to Japanese society at the same time. Here's why his Battles Without Honor and Humanity series should be on your to-watch list.
Are you a food fan? Do you love trying new restaurants, sampling local specialties, and broadening your culinary horizons? In that case, you should definitely get to know Inogashira Goro. Here's who he is - and some of his favorite spots in Tokyo.
Visitors from the US to Japan spiked from February’s 148,700 to a whopping 291,000. In February, US tourists were 5th in numbers behind Hong Kong – but in March, they surpassed Hong Kong to take 4th place.