Travel
Japan’s Best Seaside Towns: Our Ranking of the Most Idyllic
Our top-scoring towns feature beautiful, swimmable waters, a balance of attraction and solitude, and authentic marine culture.
Articles by Eric Margolis
21 articles
Travel
Travel
Japan’s Best Mountain Towns for a Peaceful Getaway
Want to get away from it all on your trip to Japan? We ranked the best mountain towns that offer culture without…
Entertainment
Inside the Akutagawa Prize, Japan’s Biggest Literary Award
The Akutagawa Prize has made the career of many up-and-coming Japanese writers - but it's not without its controversies. Learn more about…
Culture
Yosakoi Festivals: The Global Phenomenon of a Local Dance
Kochi's Yosakoi festival has spread around the world due to the way it uniquely centers creativity and freedom.
LGBTQ
LGBTQ in Japan: The State of the Law and Society
In 2024, Japan crept closer to equality and acceptance for LGBTQ people. However, full equality still remains out of reach for many.
Business and Economy
Which Japanese Books Get Left Out of Translation?
There are more Japanese books being made available in English every year. Still, only a small portion of them get translated.
Culture
The “Gaijin Hunter” Exists – But It’s Not What You’re Expecting
Most foreigners reported experiences with a "gaijin hunter". But the reality of these interactions is more complicated than it seems.
News
Terao Saho: Singer-songwriter-essayist floats between real and ethereal
In his newest entry in his "Untranslated" series, Eric Margolis talks with singer-songwriter-essayist Terao Saho to explore her differing approaches to writing…