The death of Japanese artist Kusama Yayoi prompted many English-language social media users to revisit her racist screeds. Japanese users, for the most part, looked away.

Learn all about the branding of shime-parfait and how a tradition of an after-drink sweet in Sapporo spread across the country.

Sick in Japan? Don't panic. Learn where tourists can get care, what it costs, and why travel insurance matters.

Just as the government is adding Japanese-language requirements to certain visas, the twice-yearly JLPTs are getting seriously crowded.

Why can't vapes be sold in a country that still loves smoking? A look into the complex legal framework that keeps them import-only.

Curious why there are two names for salmon in Japanese? There's an interesting historical (and scientific!) reason behind that.

Just as the government is adding Japanese-language requirements to certain visas, the twice-yearly JLPTs are getting seriously crowded.

Seven years after a devastating fire, Shuri Castle is reopening on November 23. Learn more about its history and how to visit.

Japan's latest festival wear isn't just cool and comfortable: some women say it's the perfect protection from perverts.

Four different media outlets reported a recent incident of sexual assault in four different ways. Only two of them called it what it was.

Languages can be stubborn things. You can see this clearly in Japanese, where multiple layers of kanji pronunciation exist to this day.

Want to break up with someone, but are afraid what their reaction might be? Japan has a new type of service for that.

A woman says her boyfriend seemed poised to break up with her for the way she ate yakitori. Does Japan really have a gendered rule here?

Does Japan REALLY welcome its new robot overlords? A deep dive into what Japan currently thinks about AI usage.

Want to break up with someone, but are afraid what their reaction might be? Japan has a service for that.

Forget the JLPT. If you want to take a truly hard Japanese test, check out the Kanji Kentei, whose highest levels have an abysmal pass rate.

Sometimes, love hotels mask themselves as ordinary hotels. Learn the key differences and what to look for when booking your next trip.

What you need to know to avoid the typical izakaya traps: all about touting, snuck-in fees, and fishy business practices.

Does Japan REALLY welcome its new robot overlords? A deep dive into what Japan thinks about AI.

A canceled baseball pitch demonstrates how Japan's nightlife workers are stigmatized, even after they move on with their lives.

Remember when rice disappeared from Japan's store shelves in 2024? The Reiwa Rice Crisis is over, but neither farmers nor consumers are getting their money back.

Sick in Japan? Don't panic. Learn where tourists can get care, what it costs, and why travel insurance matters.

Nothing in life is free. So how exactly do travel agencies get paid when they customize a "free" itinerary? An honest look at what you get, and what you might lose.