CULTURE
Would You Live in a ‘Jiko Bukken’? Over Half in Japan Say Yes – If the Price Is Right
While such properties have long been stigmatized, attitudes may be changing as the cost of everything rises.
spirituality
CULTURE
INSIDER
[Insider] Worldmate, Elon Musk’s Mom, and The Man All Over Japan’s Trains
Feeling lucky? We look at Fukami Tōshū, Worldmate, and the mysterious female prophet on whom the organization's teachings are based.
CULTURE
Couples: Avoid Japan’s Cursed Breakup Spots!
Going to Japan as a couple? Then you might want to avoid the following locations that urban legends say spell doom for…
CULTURE
Japanese Shrine Maiden School: An Inside View
What does it take to become a certified Japanese shrine maiden? A certified miko gives us an insider's look at a miko…
BOOK REVIEWS
“Of Arcs and Circles” Contemplates Gardens, Nature, and Life Itself
"When people no longer need things, or if they hate them, they destroy them... If people love things however, they care for…
LGBTQ
Japan’s Buddhist World Slowly Opens Up to LGBT+ Citizens
Japan's conservative Buddhist community hasn't always been accepting of sexual minorities - but things are changing for the better.
CULTURE
Rokuyo: Japan’s Lunar Calendar Tells You When To Marry
Japan's lunar calendar traditionally influences how people select their wedding days. But how many still abide by it?
CULTURE
Shinto’s Heart: The Unique Architecture of Japan’s “God Havens”
How did the homes of the gods of Japan's native religion take shape? A look at Shinto architecture - and its outsized…