Lifestyle
10 types of harassment in Japan
A few years ago, after seemingly being pigeonholed as an English teacher job after job, I was excited to finally have my first non-teaching office position in Japan. My excitement waned, however, with each red flag I noticed. I was repeatedly held late at the office, alone with the much older… Read
Dogs bring loads of joy but also perils on a leash
The cuddles. The loyalty. The worshipful eyes. There's a lot of joy in having a dog, not the least of which is heading out for a brisk walk. And therein lies a peril some dog people should pay more attention to. Over the past 20 years, injuries related to dog… Read
Love hotels in Japan: What you need to know before you go
You’re walking along a busy, brightly-lit Tokyo street when you encounter a downright outlandish building. The private entrance has a sign reading “stay” (宿泊, shukuhaku) and “rest” (休憩, kyukei). The building has fancy lettering, typically neon signs and a quirky name like Hotel Oz, Casablanca or Hotel Fooo. By now you realize that you have… Read
What is 'furusato nozei'? The Japanese tax benefit that gets you free stuff
Let’s face it: doing your taxes is no fun. This is especially true if you live in Japan, where it can come with all sorts of complications due to the language and an unfamiliar tax system. However, your taxes can be a little more fun, thanks to furusato nozei. Translating roughly to “hometown… Read
Daiso DIY anime art: How to make awesome acrylic character blocks with 100 yen store parts
Acrylic figure stands have become one of the most popular types of anime character goods in Japan these days, and the appeal is easy to see. They’re less intrusive on the overall atmosphere of a room than a poster, and also more compact and stable than a figure, making them… Read
Alcoholism in Japan and where to find help
In Japan, it’s estimated that around one million people have a drinking problem, yet only 10% seek treatment, and a mere 3% fully recover. This low recovery rate is partly due to Japan’s cultural tolerance of drinking, where alcohol plays a significant role in social, professional, and even religious life. The perception… Read
Posthumous divorce on the rise in Japan as a way to distance oneself from in-laws
The meddlesome in-law is a classic domestic crisis that goes back as far as the dawn of humanity, according to "The Flintstones." And though it’s more of an anecdotal situation that’s difficult to quantify with precision, there are enough anecdotes to suggest in-law animosity is still an issue in many Japanese… Read
Tennis attire is everywhere. Credit the pandemic, social media and pickleball
While tennis fans savor the last matches of the U.S. Open, a subset of spectators and TV viewers have watched the year's final Grand Slam tournament as a source of fashion inspiration they can use to serve looks off the court. It may have escaped people who don't pay attention… Read
Survey shows drop in Japanese high schoolers who’ve kissed someone; girls still more experienced
Every six years, the Japanese Association for Sex Education carries out the National Survey of Youth Sexual Behavior, collecting data from middle school, high school, and university students. The preliminary results of the study’s latest iteration are now being released and show that high school students have had a drop in physical intimacy, with… Read
Tea Master Anywhere service offers tea ceremony matcha meditation session anywhere in Japan
Sense of Matcha is a Kyoto-based tea provider, but it’s clear that they think of matcha as more than just a beverage. They’re fully committed to the concept that a cup of green tea is an opportunity for a relaxing ritual of wellness, and so they’ve developed a program they call chazen, which combines… Read
