Tokyo is full of quirks. That might, in fact, be the most obvious and understated thing we’ve ever said. Did you know Tokyo holds the world’s biggest and smallest bookstores? Get ready to explore Tokyo’s most interesting bookstores. While it might be a land of salarymen being driven to karoshi — death by overwork — …
Japan
There are few fandoms as enthusiastic and impassioned as the anime fan community. For this reason, it can be quite intimidating to figure out where to start when looking to get into anime. Hopping on Reddit and asking for the best anime for beginners will undoubtedly spark a heated debate that will leave you feeling …
Kanazawa is one of the great historic cities of Japan: a place near the coast, not too far from Tokyo, which embodies the image so many of us have in our heads of that Heian Period Japan. Kanazawa provides world of Shinto shrines, torii gates, and open-air onsen. And the Kanazawa onsen are certainly one …
All the famous Japanese ramen franchises have a Shibuya store – Oreyu, Ippudo, Ichiran, Menya Musashi, Afuri, and just a cornucopia of deliciousness. While you can find these great ramens elsewhere too, here are some more or less one-of-a-kind Shibuya ramen joints to both satisfy your ramen hunger and thirst for new experiences. 5 Unique …
If you love Japanese history, landscape or simply just in love with Tokyo then The Bells of Old Tokyo is a must-read. A lot of us who devour media like things to be put in brackets: as a music-lover, I need to know what sub-genre of heavy metal an album comfortably sits in before I …
Osaka is known for being the artsy, fun-loving little brother of the country’s capital. It’s a city of stand-up comedy, great bars and restaurants, and so it only makes sense for there to be some fantastic Osaka tattoo artists and studios to visit when you find yourself in Japan’s coolest city. This selection of Osaka …
So you want to start reading Haruki Murakami? You’ve seen his overwhelming popularity both in Japan and the West; you’ve heard the whispers, over and over, that he might finally win the Nobel Prize for Literature; you want to know what all the fuss is about. Murakami can be accessible and inaccessible in equal parts, …
If you’re a fan of books and travel, and you find yourself in Tokyo, then look no further. Jimbocho (神田古書店街), located in the heart of Tokyo, is a bookworm’s paradise. Over 200 bookstores populate the booktown of Himbocho, and many of them serve both Japanese and English readers. The range of books on offer in …
The beloved and deeply historical world of Japanese tattoo is in perpetual danger today, as Japanese tattoo artists fight for their right to live and work in Japan. And yet, Tokyo tattoo artists continue to survive against adversity. The Japanese government unfortunately turns a wary eye on tattooing, with its deep associations with the yakuza …
One of the most diverse and impressive aspects of Japanese culture is the nation’s cuisine. From home-grown dishes like sushi and sashimi to foreign-influences meals like curry and tempura, there is so much wonderful and popular Japanese food to try. It’s no wonder Tokyo has more Michelin star restaurants than even cities like Paris, London, …