Beyond the Word “Hotel”: Understanding Japan’s Diverse Accommodation Options
When planning a trip to Japan, many first-time visitors assume that a “hotel” is a hotel—clean sheets, a front […]
Japan’s Super-Aging Society: A Crisis, or a Market in Disguise?
Japan stands as one of the most advanced examples of a society grappling with both declining birthrates and an
Getting Around Tokyo: What’s the Best Way to Move Through the City?
Navigating Tokyo, one of the most populated and efficient cities in the world, offers a fascinating challenge.
Is Japan Really That Safe? Scenes That Defy Global Logic
To a first-time visitor, Japan can feel like a different planet—not because of the technology or language, but
Navigating Healthcare in Japan: Systems, Access, and the Foreigner’s Perspective
Navigating Healthcare in Japan: Systems, Access, and the Foreigner’s Perspective (Revised) Japan’s healthcare
Behind the Sliding Doors: A Closer Look at Japanese Housing
When most people picture a Japanese home, they likely imagine sliding doors, tatami mats, and perhaps a serene
The Spirit of Onsen: Exploring Japan’s Bathing Culture
For many people visiting Japan, the concept of public bathing may seem unusual, even uncomfortable. Yet for ge
How to Ride the Shinkansen in Japan: A Friendly Guide for First-Timers
So, you’re coming to Japan and want to ride the famous bullet train — the Shinkansen. Good news: it’s fast, cl
The Quake That Stopped Time: How the Tohoku Shinkansen Survived Japan’s Darkest Day
Part 2: What It Was Like Inside a Shinkansen on 3.11 March 11, 2011, 2:46 p.m. — a moment etched into Japan’s
The Quake That Stopped Time: How the Tohoku Shinkansen Survived Japan’s Darkest Day-1
Part 1: The Quake That Stopped Time: How the Tohoku Shinkansen Survived Japan’s Darkest Day March 11, 2011, 2: