While people are commonly told that Japan is a cash-based economy, this isn’t always true. In various spots around the country, IC cards are utilized for their convenience and value, such as taking the train to get places without needing to buy a ticket for the trip. The case is no different in Japan’s arcades,…

When visiting Japan, especially in the big cities like Tokyo, you might be surprised to see so many arcades around. In East Asian countries such as South Korea and Japan, arcades still thrive thanks to continued patronage and diversifying their attractions? Have you heard of Round One? Their focus on sports has made them a…

Whenever people asked me what I’m looking forward to in Japan, without hesitating I always mentioned my excitement towards the arcades in Japan – especially Dance Dance Revolution a.k.a DDR and Purikura (Japanese photo booths). A few days ago, I finally had the opportunity to stop by a Japanese arcade in Shibuya, a chain store…

The beginning of June marks the start of the rainy season in Japan, and it usually lasts until the end of July. While most travelers tend to avoid making plans during this time of year, there are actually a lot of fun activities you can enjoy despite the gloomy weather. The gray skies and seemingly…

We all know how technologically advanced Japan is as a country. The Japanese are more tech-savvy than anyone else in the world. From small electric Itazura coin banks to huge magnetic bullet trains, the country is famous for its technological innovations. As Japan advances in every field, its population is aging rapidly. You must have…

The first time I went to Tokyo, I stayed for over a week. I couldn’t get enough of the city. By the end of the first few days, though, I had started to run out of tourist attractions to visit. I got in touch with my friend, a native Tokyoite, and asked what I should…

Anata No Warehouse (Your Warehouse) is an amusement game park with a twist, built in the city of Kawasaki. It has been made to look like the slum area of Kowloon Walled City in Hong Kong. Get the feel of being transported into the back alley of grimy fake Kowloon made of dripping, rustic sheet…

Quite a number of people have the misconception that Japanese children are all about hitting the books. While it is true that these children have to pay attention to their studies, it doesn’t mean they have to sit at their desks and flip through the pages of their school books all day. Kids nowadays have…