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Why No One Swims in Japan’s Clearest Lake
Why No One Swims in Japan’s Clearest Lake
What looks like paradise hides quiet risks — and unexpected beauty.
The Silent Strain (3): Why 15 Competition Pianists Sound Exactly the Same
The Silent Strain (3): Why 15 Competition Pianists Sound Exactly the Same
How the pursuit of harmony creates a generation of indistinguishable pianists
Tokyo’s Hidden Paradise: The Ogasawara/Bonin Islands
Tokyo’s Hidden Paradise: The Ogasawara/Bonin Islands
Rare Nature, Rich History, and Warm-Hearted Islanders — A Destination That Will Captivate You
Japanese Postcards: Slow Connections That Touch the Heart
Japanese Postcards: Slow Connections That Touch the Heart
From a tiny post office in Fukuoka to a mailbox in Poland, I discovered the quiet joy of thoughtful, handwritten messages.
Why Japanese People Are Obsessed With Luck
Why Japanese People Are Obsessed With Luck
And why gambling addiction is so common here
Kanji Notes: 01 “酒 SAKE”
Kanji Notes: 01 “酒 SAKE”
A Japanese novelist writes easily and casually about her thoughts on kanji, the tool she uses
How to Get Japanese People to Talk to You
How to Get Japanese People to Talk to You
Three keys: off-seasons, off-times, and always look twice
Fruche and the Comfort of Kuchisabishii
Fruche and the Comfort of Kuchisabishii
A soft Japanese dessert that melts like a memory — light, fruity, and quietly comforting.
How to Add Your Story to Japonica
How to Add Your Story to Japonica
A Step-by-Step Guide to Publishing in Japonica on Medium
Inside the World of Japan’s Secretive Hostess Clubs
Inside the World of Japan’s Secretive Hostess Clubs
What Motivates the Girls Who Work There?
Beyond Barriers: Living in Japan with a Disability
Beyond Barriers: Living in Japan with a Disability
Japan has been thought of as lagging other countries in accessibility. Times have changed in a positive way.
The Silent Strain (1): How Japanese Discipline Can Harm Young Musicians
The Silent Strain (1): How Japanese Discipline Can Harm Young Musicians
Resilience, dedication, and inner strength are beautiful values that taken to an extreme, can become destructive
What I Wish I Knew Before Coming to Japan as an International Student
What I Wish I Knew Before Coming to Japan as an International Student
I didn’t know about these before I went to Japan
I Quit My Job in Japan Because My Boss Expected Me to Work When I Was Dead Sick
I Quit My Job in Japan Because My Boss Expected Me to Work When I Was Dead Sick
Inside Japan’s absurd work culture
Japan’s Lunch Culture
Japan’s Lunch Culture
Lunchtime in Japan isn’t just about satisfying your hunger — it’s a reflection of workplace dynamics, social norms, and team bonding.
Shochu — Ancient Brewing Methods Yield Unexpected Health Benefits
Shochu — Ancient Brewing Methods Yield Unexpected Health Benefits
Japan’s healthiest spirit
The End of “Easy Fuji”? Climbing Mount Fuji in 2025
The End of “Easy Fuji”? Climbing Mount Fuji in 2025
A guide to issues facing the mountain and tips for visitors
How Long Will Taxpayers Pay for My Massage?
How Long Will Taxpayers Pay for My Massage?
Japan’s Healthcare: Overuse, Long Stays, and Who Really Pays
Japan Is Not the High-Tech Paradise You Think It Is
Japan Is Not the High-Tech Paradise You Think It Is
For all the engineering marvels that Japan is known for, the country lags in digital technology
A Japanese-Style School in Rwanda
A Japanese-Style School in Rwanda
This primary school in Kigali incorporates some of the best practices Towari Marie Louise learned in Japan
