japan
-
Got gacha-gacha?
Walk through any Japanese city, you can’t help but notice little charms dangling from people’s bags. Sometimes it’s just one, sometimes several. Some are little plush toys, others are tiny figures. A friend told me that what you chose to… Continue reading
-
Ever gotten lost in the world’s busiest train station?
Raise your hand if you’ve been to Tokyo and gotten lost in Shinjuku Station. Mine is up – multiple times. Shinjuku Station isn’t just large. It operates on a scale most cities never reach. Tourists panic, first-timers slow down, locals… Continue reading
-
What do dragons reveal about Japan?
What are dragons to you? Are they fire-spitting monsters, to be feared and avoided? In my children’s books, they were violent, dangerous villains burning villages and castles. From medieval legends to modern fantasy, in much of Western culture the dragon… Continue reading
-
Biker moms in Tokyo?
It’s nothing short of impressive. One child in a front seat. Another in a rear seat. Shopping bags in the front basket or on a rear rack – often both. Mothers on so-called mom bikes (mamachari) are a common sight… Continue reading
-
Why do so many of Japan’s temples and shrines have so many steps?
If you’ve ever visited a temple or shrine in Japan and found yourself out of breath after climbing hundreds of stone steps, you’re not alone. Many sacred sites in Japan are located on hillsides or mountains. Reaching them often involves… Continue reading
-
Do Japanese people like lining up?
Walk through Tokyo at lunchtime and you’ll see long lines outside popular food spots. It’s puzzling at first, because there’s no shortage of restaurants, many nearby and half empty. When I first moved to Tokyo, someone even told me to… Continue reading
-
Manga madness in Japan – only for kids?
Take a ride on a Tokyo subway and you notice that people are glued to their phones. What are they doing? Some play games. Some watch movies. And many are immersed in manga, Japanese comics. I expected teens to be… Continue reading
-
Why is Japan so obsessed with cherry blossoms?
Everyone talks about it. It’s everywhere you go. It’s the quintessential spring moment, with festivals and pop ups across Japan. When offices, families, and groups of friends gather in parks, you know it’s official. Sakura, the cherry blossom… Continue reading
-
Are Japanese people religious… or just in case?
Walk through Tokyo and you’ll see temples and shrines everywhere. Large shrines on main streets and small neighborhood temples, hidden in side streets. Some look lost among ultra-modern skyscrapers. You may wonder: how do they survive? And then you notice… Continue reading
-
Can you love a mountain?
Come to Japan, talk to a Japanese person, and you’ll quickly realize: yes, you absolutely can love a mountain. Mount Fuji, or Fuji-san as it’s called in Japan, is not just a mountain. It’s the mountain. It’s less outdoor attraction… Continue reading
