Tobias has been working as an editor and a writer for over ten years.
Osaka might be thought of as Japan’s second city, but as all good boys and girls know, in Santa’s eyes, everyone comes first. Christmas in Japan is not a national holiday, and celebrated religiously by a small minority, but the aesthetics and sense of joy permeate the country in December, and Osaka is no exception.
Since 1955, the right-of-center Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has been the ruling party in Japan, with only two brief periods out of power. As such, while Japan does not necessarily have a reputation as a right-wing nation, it is thought of as “small ‘c’ conservative”: if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. On Saturday, however,
The Tohoku region of Japan, in the north of the main island of Honshu, has been regarded for centuries as a location that exemplifies natural beauty, a bracing climate, and a population of hardly yet friendly people. If the name “Tohoku” rings somewhat ominously to you, it may be because you have heard of the
When one thinks of Japanese natural disasters, one almost alway thinks first of earthquakes — unsurprising for a country which sits where four tectonic plates converge, with over 2,000 faults. However, Japan, like many Asian nations, is also prone to heavy rains, and the flooding that can accompany them. This has been especially true of
‘Tis the season to be jolly! Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la! In Japan there is no holly! Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la… huh? Yep! It makes sense if you think about it, right? While Christianity is a notable religion in Japan, Christians still make up about one percent of the population. And given that Japan’s religious make-up is primarily Shinto and
When you think of acting in Japan, many expats think of getting into voice acting, or working as extras. These may not be the most reliable or glamorous acting gigs, but they are easily accessible. Some actors, though, may have already established themselves outside of Japan, as stunt actors, or as action actors. Or perhaps
Japan’s reputation for excellent food is known throughout the world, but many visitors and new residents are surprised by just how vast the choices are for alcoholic drinks. With all-you-can-drink options in bars and restaurants, known as nomihodai (のみほうだい/飲み放題) and a tradition of after work drink parties, called nomikai (のみかい/飲み会), alcohol is a very important
Pop culture is not just a reflection of or reaction to the culture around it, but it can also influence the world around us. There are small ways, in the way that “a Nintendo” has become a byword for any video game console, or how “Pokemon” was once a byword for any anime with monsters
If you’ve ever seen one of the eighteen billion videos on “Things to do in Japan,” or “Quirky Things About Japan,” or something similar, you will have doubtless seen that one thing that is present in every major city, and recommended by many influencers, are animal cafes. The first cat cafe in Japan opened in
On September 7, 2025, Prime Minister of Japan Shigeru Ishiba announced that he would resign, following a number of bruising electoral defeats. These culminated in the July 2025 elections that saw his Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and their coalition partner Komeito losing their majorities in both houses (the lower House of Representatives and the higher
Japan is a country that is proud of its seasonal traditions and practices. Indeed, many people from abroad note with some amusement that Japanese people will often note that “Japan has four seasons,” which is of course true for most countries. However, I think that what people are saying when they make this claim is
For many people, the beauty of kimono is part of the appeal of Japan. It is an iconic piece of national dress, recognizable by sight across the world. As such, many people who visit Japan want to try it out for themselves. Though there are a few concerns: where can you find them? Is it