Tipping is not part of Japanese culture—but what do workers in hospitality really think about it? While Japan has long prided itself on providing exceptional service without expecting anything in return, recent discussions suggest that the story beneath the…
Looking to own a piece of Japan without breaking the bank? 🏡 Japan’s rural areas are filled with affordable vacant houses (空き家) and unused plots of land (空き地)—some even offered for free or at symbolic prices. These properties are…
📝 Introduction If you’re a fan of Japanese staples—from Zojirushi rice cookers to Nintendo consoles—now might be the time to buy. The U.S. has rolled out a wave of tariffs targeting Japanese imports, officially staged to launch August 1,…
In recent years, Japan has witnessed an alarming rise in bear encounters 🐻—not just deep in the mountains, but increasingly near towns and villages. Once a rare news item, bear attacks are now regular headlines, sparking serious concerns about…
As of July 18, 2025, Donald Trump’s surprising collaboration with Coca-Cola—featuring a new soda made with real sugar cane—has sparked conversations globally. While the announcement stirred political debate in the U.S., Japan’s reaction has been notably more neutral and…
🚗 Introduction In Japan, American cars are a niche but growing segment in the imported vehicle market. Despite Japan’s strong domestic automotive industry and the dominance of European imports, some American models have steadily built a fanbase among Japanese…
In Japan 🇯🇵, food isn’t just something you eat — it’s an ever-evolving cultural experience. Walk into any convenience store or chain restaurant and you’ll be greeted by a fresh wave of limited-edition snacks, seasonal desserts, or regionally-inspired meals.…
In recent months, Japan has seen a rapid increase in the use of electric kick scooters 🛴, especially in major urban areas like Tokyo and Osaka. While these scooters were initially praised for being eco-friendly and convenient, public dissatisfaction…
In celebration of World Emoji Day (July 17), Japanese tech firm Baidu Japan released a fascinating global report analyzing emoji usage across 16 countries for the first half of 2025, based on data from the popular keyboard app “Simeji.”…
Japan is globally famous for its robots 🤖—from humanoid helpers at hotels to precision machines in factories. So, it may come as a surprise that when it comes to using AI in actual work settings, Japan is lagging far…
