Although Japan’s population continues to decline, the same cannot be said about Tokyo. Despite the government’s best efforts, the nation’s economy is increasingly centralized in its sprawling capital city. This situation is palpable in Tokyo’s packed trains and cafes where an increasingly mobile workforce scrambles to find quiet spaces for Wi-Fi- and caffeine-fueled bouts of…
Eat Fugu and Live to Tell the Tale
For any foodie visiting Japan, eating fugu should be on their list of must-eat foods, since it’s next-to-impossible to have in other countries. Usually, that would involve a trip to an expensive, high-end restaurant. Unless you have fugu fisheries in a nearby bay, which is precisely the case for Takahama town, located on the Western…
Tsukimi, the “Moon-Viewing” Celebration
Praying to the Harvest Moon As it is often depicted in Japanese pop culture, manga, anime, or video games, you may have already heard about ”tsukimi,” or more formally “otsukimi,” literally “moon viewing.” It is the most emblematic celebration in autumn, and shops often have decorations or sell items bearing the moon, rice cakes, or rabbits (more about this…
Teru Teru Bozu, the Japanese Handmade Charm for Good Weather
Have you ever seen this doll hanging by someone’s window in Japan? You have great chances to see them during the rainy season. Japanese children (and sometimes adults, too) hang these dolls called teru teru bozu, as a charm to bring good weather. The Custom of Making a Teru Teru Bozu Imitating this very ancient…
The Japanese Ghost Story “Yotsuya Kaidan” and Its Shrine
Japan has a tradition of ghost stories dating from the Edo period and if you’ve been there before you may have heard some of them. “Yotsuya Kaidan” or the Yotsuya ghost story, a story of murder and revenge, is probably the most famous one. It has inspired numerous horror movies and nearly all Japanese are…
A Roadmap for Learning Japanese: How to Optimize Classes, Textbooks, and Flash Cards to Achieve Fluency
A few weeks ago, I was listening to a podcast about learning Japanese, and the host divided learners into two camps: those who use textbooks and those who don’t. I immediately thought, “Wait a second, what’s wrong with something in the middle—occasional textbook use?” The thought lingered with me long after the podcast was over,…
Shimanami Kaido: A Foolproof Guide to Enjoying Japan’s Cycling Sanctuary
Seventy kilometers, six scenic islands, six massive bridges, and two prefectures—all woven together by a single blue line. This is the Shimanami Kaido: Japan’s premier long-distance cycling route. There are countless articles and videos that cover this internationally popular tourist destination. It’s convenient to have so many resources, but when I was planning my own…
The 3 Most Useful Japanese Learning Apps on My Phone in 2020
I’ve been augmenting my Japanese studies with technology ever since I brought my trusty iPhone 3G from the States to Japan when I moved here in 2009. Taking the device overseas reduced it to nothing more than an overweight iPod Touch, but that was enough to start exploring the nascent Apple App Store. So, I…
Is it OK to Fly a Drone in Tokyo?
This article was originally published in August 2019 on Tadaima Japan (Kokoro’s ancestor website). So, you have a drone, or you are thinking of buying one, and you are wondering where you can fly it in Tokyo or other places in Japan without getting into trouble? I have interviewed a drone owner and the manager…
What You Need to Know before Eating Ramen in Japan
If you are traveling alone and feeling hungry, ramen is probably the best choice for a satisfying meal. It is arguably one of the most famous Japanese dishes. Whether it is your first time to try ramen, or whether you are a ramen veteran, you should definitely add one (or more) ramen meals to your…