The events of 2011 have left an indelible mark on the coastal region of Fukushima, but the residents are eager to create a new narrative moving forward. With the Tokyo Olympic torch relay…

Kakunodate in Semboku City, Akita, is a wonderful destination in any season. Now with the three-day JR East Welcome Rail Pass for travel around Tohoku, it’s the perfect time to plan a…

Shibuya enjoys a reputation as Tokyo’s playground for the young, but the newly-renovated Tokyu Plaza Shibuya looks set to change that image, with a sophisticated shopping experience for adults. I recently took…

In Japan, there are no longer expectations for Japanese women to produce a son. Daughters are cherished as much as their brothers, and girls don’t have to sit back and watch as…

While Japan’s government has struggled to form cohesive policies to deal with the pandemic, New Zealand has recently emerged from a strict lockdown. The eyes of the world are watching to see…

Japan still mostly runs on cash, but why is it so complicated for foreigners to get their hands on a Visa or MasterCard here? It’s a familiar topic on online forums for…

Often described as “a cross between a life-drawing session and a cabaret act”, the Tokyo branch of Dr. Sketchy’s Anti-Art School has been bringing people together at regular gatherings for the past…

Getting a tax deduction is nice, but getting an entire tuna to go with that deduction is even better. If someone told you that you could get two steaks to go with…