Free, cute, and ubiquitously familiar—Irasutoya (sometimes referred to as Irasu-to-ya) has become a staple of Japanese visual culture. Its simple hand-drawn clip art can be found everywhere—from blog posts to…
Every September in Japan, as autumn begins and the air carries a faint chill, you’ll notice something charming in fast-food chains and casual eateries: a sudden surge in on-menu items…
In modern Japan, an intriguing paradox stands out. Some right-wing nationalists loudly demand that China should keep its distance, yet these same voices fiercely defend the use of kanji —…
Middle schoolers used to be buzzing with dreams of becoming YouTubers—chasing that vision of “living off what you love,” as the famous YouTube Japan catchphrase once suggested. But recent survey…
Japan’s corporate world has long been known for its reliance on Japanese language and culture. Yet in the past two decades, a quiet revolution has been underway: a growing number…
Japan’s dating culture has always been a fascinating mix of tradition and modernity. While marriage hunting (konkatsu) parties, matchmaking agencies, and group blind dates (gokon) have long been part of…
Japan is globally known for having one of the most powerful passports in the world, allowing visa-free or visa-on-arrival entry to more than 190 countries. Yet, surprisingly, only about 17%…
✨ When people from abroad visit Japan, one of the most surprising discoveries is that children in elementary schools are often responsible for tasks that might elsewhere be performed by…
Have you ever wondered why many Japanese dating-matching apps feel like they’re overrun by men? You’re not imagining things! Recent data consistently shows a higher proportion of male users across…
Introduction In Japan’s nightlife districts, neon signs light up the entrances of host clubs where young men dressed in sharp suits promise affection, conversation, and attention. For many women, these…
