Have you ever wondered how Japanese people celebrate Christmas? After all, Christmas is not a national holiday, and less than once percent of the population are Christians. Nevertheless, Christmas has had a huge impact in Japan with a big exception when compared to other countries that celebrate this holiday: there is absolutely no religion attached…

Oh, the beauty of Japanese department stores! There is definitely something magical about Japanese department stores whether it’s due to their exceptional customer service, often marvelous food floors, proximity to major train stations, or the way they can shield you from the summer heat or winter cold. by Martin Danker Despite the general assumption that…

Shinjuku is one of Tokyo’s most popular and expensive wards, but now, there is a property with rent so low that it defies anything else Tokyo has ever seen: A small, 10 square-meter apartment (yes, in Tokyo every meter counts!) close to Shin-Okubo Station will be available for an astonishingly low 99 yen per month.…

Among Tokyo’s many shopping districts, Marunouchi stands out thanks to its quaint appearance despite being Tokyo’s main financial district, being home of Japan’s largest banks. Each Christamas, Marunouchi’s Nada-dori lights up with Christmas lights, and some of the area’s most important commercial buildings erect elaborate and quite innovative Christmas trees with a particular theme. In…

The Japanese archipelago is full of wonders. Visitors can marvel at the sights of the many temples and shrines, explore the numerous and varying natural sights, enjoy onsen and traditional ryokan across the country, and visit a plethora of cities, big and small, that offer special livestyles, architecture, and cuisines. Most international tourists tend to…

Oh my God, are you going to Japan? The Last Samurai and Memoirs of a Geisha are my favorite movies! Just don’t get too involved with some manga looking Japanese hottie, okay? Oh and take care with what you eat, I heard radiation poisoning is huge over there, okay? Ever been told anything like this?…

In many countries, public places such as city streets and local parks have a large number of easy to spot trash cans where you can easily dispose of your drink container, gum wrapper, or sandwich wrapping. However, one thing that soon becomes apparent to many travelers after being in Japan for any length of time…

Marriage rates in Japan are not great, having declined from 1973 to the mid 80s before seeing an increase that paled in comparison to the numbers seen in the 60s and early 70s. Fast-forward to 2021, and marriage rates in Japan continue to be sluggish for multiple reasons, including how the Japanese working culture and…

In 1966, after years of stable fertility rates, Japan experienced a sudden drop in the number of children being born; but what exactly happened in 1966 that would lead to that? The blame falls on “Hinoe-Uma”, which translates to “Fire Horse”, but what exactly is “Hinoe-Uma”? Hinoe-Uma is one of the many Japanese superstitions, and…

Atami (熱海) is a city located on the coast in Shizuoka Prefecture (静岡県) of Izu Peninsula (伊豆半島). It is adjacent to Tokyo (東京) and Hakone (箱根), making it one of the most frequented cities in the region. Thousands of tourists visit Atami every year, discovering its famous onsen (温泉; hot springs), museums, and culture. View…