Turning on its lights for the first time on Nov. 1, Fukuoka City’s “Christmas Market in Hikari no Machi” was one of the earliest to open in the country. Other major cities in Japan weren’t too far ...

In April, Japan’s Oita Airport renamed itself to Oita Hello Kitty Airport. This wasn’t just a silly tongue-in-cheek gesture, like when Kagawa Prefecture named a Pokémon as its new governor. The ...

From Sanrio characters to starry-eyed idol singers, it’s no secret that kawaii (“cute”) culture is huge in Japan. Whole museums and theme parks have been dedicated to the concept of kawaii. Heck, it’s ...

Planning to visit Japan’s shrines and temples? Here’s what goshuin are and how to get your first stamp. Everyone says “new year, new me,” but how many people can honestly say they’ve kept up their new ...

Like a lot of people, visits to the bathroom on my first few trips to Japan were a source of a lot of surprises, from “Whoa, this toilet is so high-tech that it has a heated seat and washes your ...

Spending Christmas in Japan single doesn’t have to feel lonely — Japan offers plenty of ways to enjoy the holiday on your own. Christmas is a holiday traditionally associated with family gatherings ...

Japanese Culture Experiences are at the top of many foreigners’ must-do lists. With world-renowned temples and shrines, enviable street food and high cuisine and a rich history of martial arts, sports ...

Moving to Japan can feel like stepping into your favorite anime or travel fantasy. But what does it actually take to pack up your life and move here? Whether you’re coming for work, school, love or ...