Japonica

A big thank you to everyone for participating!

Maybe we should ask, “What can’t you buy in a Japanese vending machine?”

Compliments on your skills by Japanese people don’t mean a thing — the signs are more subtle

Behold, that which is greater than thyself!

Sado Island’s lesser-known treasure

How a Would-Be Ingénue Learns Not to Overpack

Earning a salary denominated in yen is getting increasingly painful. Here’s my analysis of the causes, and potential outcomes.

Finding the best sweet treats at Family Mart

Understanding culture is as important as learning vocabulary and grammar

Looking for funny souvenirs in Japan? Here’s what you want

Personal reflections on childhood in the US, UK and Japan

A Japanese exchange student changed our lives forever despite the language barrier

Why You Can’t Learn a Language Without Learning the Culture

I lost my job because of dysfunctional “hokatsu”

Have I already lived the best memory of my life…

Stories by the victims of the Battle of Okinawa on the 77th anniversary and their testimonies that bring the Okinawa Peace Memorial to…

Living in Japan, I noticed several contradictions that make this country even more interesting

A peek into the world of the private tour industry in Japan through the eyes of a travel entrepreneur

Textbooks and classes won’t make you fluent in Japanese. Here’s what will.

A mighty warrior race disappeared from history

(Monstrous Yokai fish and what to get them for New Year!)

Kochi offers kayaking, hiking, craft beer, sake breweries, and more!

Barley, rice, brown sugar. Step into the versatile world of Japan’s national spirit.

A former trading hub, Sakata holds hidden treasures