Like this post? Help us by sharing it! Encounters with origami in the West often begin with the humble paper aeroplane; destined to nose dive on a slow day at school. In Japan though, paper folding is a popular way to pass the time from a young age. While designs can be incredibly intricate – […]
Miscellaneous
Maids in Japan: From geisha to kawaii culture
Like this post? Help us by sharing it! In Japan it’s not uncommon to visit maid cafés as a way to wind down after a long day. But where did this fascination start, and is it as sinister as it could seem? Marky Hobold investigates. Like this post? Help us by sharing it!
Manhole covers: Japanese streetwear
Like this post? Help us by sharing it! There are endless things to see if you look up in Japan, but have you ever thought to look beneath your feet? A curious craze sees surprisingly beautiful manhole covers making their way on to t-shirts… Like this post? Help us by sharing it!
Welcome to the Pokémon Center DX Tokyo
Like this post? Help us by sharing it! Pokémon is one of the most iconic examples of otaku culture. Whether you remember trying to trade Pokémon with friends in the playground or looking for the faintest light to illuminate your screen on a long drive, odds are you’ve played Pokémon at some point, or at […]
Guide to Japanese vending machines
Like this post? Help us by sharing it! Vending machines, useful but mundane? In Japan, tour leader Steve Parker insists they’re a tourist attraction in their own right. Like this post? Help us by sharing it!
Insider’s guide to staying at a ryokan
Like this post? Help us by sharing it! Staying at a ryokan should be up there on your Japan wish-list alongside spotting a geisha, seeing Mount Fuji and jumping aboard the shinkansen (bullet train). The experience of staying at these traditional inns is uniquely Japanese, so it might be worth a few pointers to get […]
Like this post? Help us by sharing it! Staying at a ryokan should be up there on your Japan wish-list alongside spotting a geisha, seeing Mount Fuji and jumping aboard the shinkansen (bullet train). The experience of staying at these traditional inns is uniquely Japanese, so it might be worth a few pointers to get […]