Lifestyle
Should you let pets sleep next to you?
It turns out, our furry best friend might be our sleep enemy. Lots of pet owners let their animals sleep on the bed with them, which usually disrupts sleep. But many would say it’s worth it. And researchers don't necessarily disagree. Melissa Milanak, a professor at Medical University of South… Read
Want to grow your own rice? A step-by-step guide for adventurous gardeners
Many of us think of rice as a plant that grows in flooded fields, and that’s because the kind of rice we’re most familiar with — the long-grain, wetland variety called lowland rice — can be considered semi-aquatic, although it’s technically a grass. Lowland rice would be challenging to grow in a… Read
The true cost of marriage in Japan: Who really pays the price?
The overall number of marriages grew slightly in 2024, but Japan’s birth rate crisis has only worsened. And yet a survey by the Tokyo Chamber of Commerce and Industry states that young people want to get married and have families. So what gives? Marriage is a deeply complicated subject beyond… Read
Join the rhythm on Sado Island: Earth Celebration 2025 tickets now on sale
Just off the coast of Niigata, Sado Island is preparing for its biggest event of the year: Earth Celebration 2025. Tickets are now on sale for this renowned music festival, which will once again feature the passionate performances by one of Japan’s most prominent taiko ensembles, Kodo, along with an… Read
Are traffic lights in Japan confusing?
Driving in Japan isn’t too different from driving in other countries. Sure, the roads can be narrow and traffic flows on the opposite side of the street from many places, but in general, most experienced drivers won’t have much trouble. That said, don’t be surprised if Japanese traffic lights leave you… Read
4 creative ways to engage children in STEM: Tips to foster curiosity and problem-solving at home
The Trump administration is reshaping the pursuit of science through federal cuts to research grants and the Department of Education. This will have real consequences for students interested in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM learning. One of those consequences is the elimination of learning opportunities such as robotics camps and access to advanced… Read
The kimono is more than an artifact and more than clothing. It is a concept artists will make their own
The kimono garment, the national dress of Japan, carries within itself all of the magic and traditions of Japanese culture. The basic features of the kimono are fairly simple. It is a wrapped front garment with square sleeves that has a rectangular body where the left side is wrapped over… Read
On remote Nagasaki islands, a rare version of Christianity heads toward extinction
On this small island in rural Nagasaki, Japan’s Hidden Christians gather to worship what they call the Closet God. In a special room about the size of a tatami mat is a scroll painting of a kimono-clad Asian woman. She looks like a Buddhist Bodhisattva holding a baby, but for… Read
How to survive Japan’s rainy season: 10 practical ways to stay dry
Your laundry is still damp, your futon smells weird, and your umbrella just flipped inside out. Welcome to the rainy season in Japan. Known as tsuyu, it typically begins in early June and lasts through mid-July. During this time, weeks of overcast skies, near-daily rain and suffocating humidity set in. Mold creeps into… Read
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
The town of Maruyama, in Yamagata Prefecture, bills itself as the birthplace of iaido. A martial art that focuses on drawing a sword from its scabbard and striking in one smooth, swift motion, iaido is said to have been developed by the 16th century swordsman Hayashizaki Jinsuke Shigenobu, who hailed from the area… Read
