It’s no exaggeration to say that smartphones are now indispensable in our daily lives. Many of us worry when our phones are running low on…

It’s not easy being a smoker in Japan anymore. In the early ’90s, when I first arrived, it was very much a smokers’ paradise, and…

As an ex-pat, I can confirm that life in Japan takes some getting used to. Several customs are unique to the island nation, and there…

There seems to be a recent pop-culture fascination with poo. While that may be hard to hear at first, just consider the popularity of the…

Grape held its essay contest grape Award 2020 this year from May to August. Contestants could write about one of two themes; heart-stirring or heart-stirring…

In common with other countries, the number of smokers in Japan is in steady decline. Currently, around 28% of Japanese men and 9% of Japanese…

This year, I have been invited to my Japanese friend’s wedding that unfortunately, due to the pandemic, had to be rescheduled. I remember panicking a…

At crowded public places in Japan, you are likely to see signs warning against aruki sumaho. Translated as “texting while walking,” the postings warn pedestrians…

One of 2020’s top headlines has been Coronavirus. As the death toll continues to rise in China, reported to be more than 250, and infections…

Have you ever been on the train or bus with a horrible runny nose? Whether due to allergies or a cold, I’m pretty sure we’ve…

Tattoos NG at gyms in Japan Last week, a friend of mine, a 22-year-old undergrad student at Kyoto University of Art and Design, wanted to…

In some ways, the ongoing 2019 Rugby World Cup has been seen as a test run for how Japan’s hosting of the 2020 Olympic Games…

Japanese sports fans have gained a reputation for bringing their admirable manners and etiquette along with them when they travel to events, as seen last…

Kamakura: a famous tourist destination Famous for its dozens of Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples, including Kotoku-in with its Great Buddha statue, as well as…

A trip to an onsen, or Japanese hot springs, is probably on most visitors’ to-do lists when they go to Japan, especially in the colder…