Writer Profile

Wakaba Oto

Writer and editor based between Tokyo and New York City, reporting on culture, subculture and the outdoors. She’s flown to Morocco for a first date with a stranger, worked undercover as a hostess in Tokyo’s red-light district and trekked Salkantay to Machu Picchu entirely untrained — all in the name of a good story. Find her on Instagram @wakabss or reach her at [email protected]

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Articles by Wakaba Oto

takahashi rui comes out as gay

What Rui Takahashi’s Coming Out Means for Japanese Men’s Sports

5 Chiyoda Shops for Souvenirs Actually Worth Suitcase Space

Lady Gaga Is FamilyMart’s Newest Employee

One Ok Rock's Taka Faces Backlash for Defending Ed Sheeran

Tokyo’s Sauna Boom Is Finally Hitting the Rulebook

Maebashi Biennale 2026: Discover a New Art Destination in Japan

Roppongi’s New Sauna Wants You To Crawl Back Into the Womb

Mount Fuji's Climbing Season Is Officially Over. Here's What That Actually Means.

japan sewer day manhole cover

You Can Now Take Home a Real Japanese Manhole Cover for National Sewer Day

japan robots shunjuku station

Trash Can Robots Are Now Roaming Shinjuku Station

suica mascots

The Suica Penguin Is Retiring. These Strange Creatures Want Its Job.

Shinzo Abe Assassination Film Rumors Sparks Backlash Over Tetsuya Yamagami Portrayal