Lifestyle
TeamLab opening amazing outdoor art exhibit at one of Japan’s more uniquely beautiful gardens
Mifuneyama Rakuen is a fascinating place. 180 years ago, the local samurai lord commissioned a garden to be created near the foot of Mt Mifuneyama in the town of Takeo, Saga Prefecture, but rather than being a closed-off green space, the garden’s borders blend seamlessly into the surrounding forest and mountain trails, resulting in… Read
Rental grandma service growing in Japan, can help cook or break up with boyfriends
As we’ve seen time and time again, the cost of living is steadily on the rise in Japan, and while it’s expected that wages will rise to keep pace, the same may not be true for the elderly living on pensions. Because their monthly allotments are just barely covering the necessities in life,… Read
Summer in Japan doesn’t sound like summer in Japan right now
While “hot” and “humid” are often the first words used to describe summer in Japan, there’s a special soundscape to the season as well. The gentle ring of a wind chime, the clink of a spoon against a shaved ice dish, or the sound of fireworks, either bursting overhead at… Read
60th Anniversary Sanrio Exhibition opens this month to celebrate Japanese culture of cute
Sixty years and over 450 characters after its founding, Japanese entertainment company Sanrio shows no signs of slowing down. What began as the Yamanashi Silk Company in 1960 and changed its name to Sanrio in 1973 is now a global powerhouse for original characters that grace everything from stationery to fashion accessories.… Read
How to apply for gov't subsidies in Japan for housing, healthcare and childcare
With prices on the rise, everyone could use a little extra financial help. GaijinPot can help you save cash by showing you birthday freebies or even finding better work on GaijinPot Jobs—but we can’t hand you cash. Thankfully, there are a ton of government subsidies in Japan offering real financial support for housing,… Read
Japan worried about its aging population… of traffic lights
Japan is often cited as one of the countries with the most traffic lights per capita, and most people who live in major cities here would probably agree that there is a crazy number of them. While we can appreciate the importance of controlling the flow of traffic, seeing a row… Read
10 dangerous things you shouldn’t do in Japan (and why)
By most measures, Japan is a very safe country. Japan has a low crime rate, strictly regulates or forbids firearm ownership and people usually return lost wallets. But like everywhere else on Earth, Japan is not entirely devoid of danger. And there are plenty of shady forces at work. Whether due to… Read
Japan trying AI-assisted storytellers to pass on war-time memories
Hiroshi Nishioka is close to tears describing the aftermath of the Nagasaki atomic bombing he experienced as a 13-year-old, as he recalls encountering injured people begging for water and reaching out for his flask. He appears wracked by guilt that he turned them away. "I pushed away their hands," the… Read
Nagoshi no Harae: The summer Shinto ritual that most Japanese people don’t even know about
We are now at the halfway point of 2025, and it certainly has been… a year. But did you know there’s a special Shinto ritual that lets you purify all of the bad energy you’ve accumulated in the first half of the year? Chances are you haven’t because according to… Read
Appliances to help you stay cool during summer in Japan
Japan’s summers are only getting hotter, with 2023 and 2024 recording the hottest temperatures ever on the archipelago. Whether you’re sweating through your commute or trying to stay cool in your apartment, everyone needs a break from the unrelenting heat. While air conditioners are a non-negotiable, there are plenty of other… Read
