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- The Five Salarymen You Meet in Heaven. (And by Heaven, I mean just wherever…)
- May 20th, 2013Category: Culture, Play, Work
- Sal-a-ry-man (サラリーマン) 1) a person whose income is salary-based; a white-collar businessman 2) that un-genki dude on the train, dressed in black, reeking of Chu-hi and low-level distain. I didn’t know what a salaryman was when I came to Japan, but it didn’t take long ... » Continue Reading
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- Never ask a direct question… but remember to use only 5 words
- May 17th, 2013Category: Culture
- Never --my cultural guidebook told me-- ask a direct question to a Japanese person. Saying 'no' in such an instance is akin to losing face and they may return a positive answer without actually meaning they agree. It was undoubtedly supposed to be helpful advice ... » Continue Reading
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- Japanese Ghost Story: The Impossible-to-count Bake Jizo
- May 16th, 2013Category: Arts & Entertainment, Culture, Photography, Travel
- Rows of dozens of stone statues representing Jizo Bodhisattva can be found frequently in Japan, but during my travels across Japan I found a few of them really special. One example is the row of statues from the Kanmangafuchi Abyss in Nikko, a wonderfully beautiful p ... » Continue Reading
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- A Visit to Soaltee Dining
- May 14th, 2013Category: Arts & Entertainment, Culture, Food & Dining, Travel
- Sometimes your taste buds are just itching for a different taste but you're in Japan. What are the chances that there are restaurants that serve other food aside from sushi? Huge. Japan has a lot of different restaurants that would satisfy your cravings. Whether it's Ch ... » Continue Reading
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- The Latest Shin-chan Movie Raises Questions about Food Culture, Class, and Japanese Nationalism
- May 9th, 2013Category: Arts & Entertainment, Culture, Food & Dining, Play
- I like Shin-chan. I like Shin-chan because (1) it's a little strange (2) the Japanese is easy to understand (3) it's crude (the main character's butt always seems to play a prominent, supporting role) and (4) It's not Doraemon, Pokemon, or any of those other Japanese ju ... » Continue Reading
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- Cherry Blossoms at Sunomata Castle
- May 8th, 2013Category: Culture, Events, Travel
- Sunomata Castle, also known as Ichiya-jo is a Japanese castle located in Ogaki in Gifu Prefecture. The castle is a replica of the famous original, which according to legend is said to have been built in one night. “Ichiya” literally means “one night” and hence the name ... » Continue Reading
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- Quality vs. Cost vs. in Japan
- May 7th, 2013Category: Culture
- “Have you been to that Taiwanese restaurant out on Route 6? You have to go – it’s so cheap!” I was pretty skeptical – in my native UK there are many things you might say to recommend a restaurant but “cheapness” isn’t generally one of them. In the end, I was pers ... » Continue Reading
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- Sake no Jin: The UFC of Sake Festivals
- May 7th, 2013Category: Culture, Events, Food & Dining
- Photos Courtesy of Mallu Moore Dignified-looking men lay unconscious under tables. A young woman, red-faced, head slung to the side, is rushed out in a wheelchair. Then a crash -- three of them in quick succession. POOSH! POSH! PSSH! I spin around. A woman screams. ... » Continue Reading
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- Japanese Graffiti
- May 6th, 2013Category: Arts & Entertainment, Culture, Play
- Graffiti or rakugaki is the term for any basic public markings, whether big or small. It is usually associated with gangs, which were done mainly to "mark their territories." It has also been heavily connected with the hip-hop culture, a genre which eventually made its ... » Continue Reading
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- Preparations for the 1940 Olympic Games and lessons for Tokyo 2020
- May 1st, 2013Category: Culture, Events
- In the modern bid process, every aspect of the Games is documented in advance to help the International Olympic Committee (IOC) come to their decision. Tokyo’s vast 2020 candidature file outlines the Organising Committee’s Olympic vision in great detail, from planne ... » Continue Reading
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From bears to birds, mountains to monkeys, raindrops, aliens, lightsaber wielding owls and poisonous fish, check out some of Japan's weird and wonderful police mascots.
- Why do Japanese people change their attitude when they communicate with foreigners?
- February 8, 2012
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- 10 things that you should know before coming to Japan
- February 6, 2012BY
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- Unique Japanese fashion styles
- March 10, 2012BY
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- Cats, Numbers and Other Japanese Superstitions
- June 12, 2012BY
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- Japan’s Police Mascots
- October 26, 2010BY
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