Watch a few “Get Ready With Me” videos and you’ll notice it: a pastel tumbler, a tiny whisk, and that electric‑green swirl. Matcha showed up uninvited to breakfast and somehow stole the coffee’s seat. Why did this happen—even though most Japanese people don’t actually drink matcha every day? (Day‑to‑day, sencha or hojicha are far more…
Japan next prime minister 2025: Your phone says “Japan picks new prime minister (PM).” Tiny detail—Japan doesn’t vote directly for the PM. The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) elects a leader, then the Diet (parliament) chooses the prime minister. That’s why this election matters—and why it’s not the same thing. Below is the pocket guide and…
In Japanese, otaku refers to people with a huge passion and deep knowledge of subcultures like anime, manga, character franchises, or even very niche items. They don’t hesitate to pour time and money into what they love. So why would it be considered derogatory or negative? Honestly, I think it’s super cool to have something…
You may have heard that tattoos are not very welcome in Japan—especially at onsen (hot springs) or swimming pools. And yes, most of the time, that’s correct. Flash a tattoo at the entrance and you’ll likely be turned away faster than you can mumble sumimasen in embarrassment. But why? In much of the world, tattoos…
At first glance, 7-Eleven looks like the ultimate American brand. Neon logo, Slurpees, hot dogs spinning on rollers since the Cold War — it’s all red, white, and blue convenience. But plot twist: today, 7-Eleven is Japanese. Yes, the global king of late-night snacks is run out of Tokyo, not Texas. So technically, every time…
Behind the serious facade of Japan’s government, international media and comedians have often picked up on its stranger-than-fiction moments — from revolving-door prime ministers to bizarre scandals. Here’s how Japan’s politics gets the comedy treatment overseas. The Prime Minister Turnstile ” Japan changes prime ministers like I change socks. “– Common Reddit joke during the…
I’d say Uniqlo is now one of Japan’s global icons—right up there with samurai, sushi, and anime. You think it’s just another fast fashion brand? No, no, no! Uniqlo doesn’t stir up environmental or labor scandals like some brands that have made headlines for all the wrong reasons. Instead, it quietly dominates. In fact, the…
As it’s widely known that Japan is an earthquake-prone country. I’ve lived through quakes of all sizes — and let me tell you, there’s no such thing as “getting used to it”. But hey, as long as you are in Japan, you can’t always hug your futon like a life raft. You need to know…
I often witness situations like my overseas friends saying, “Ewww, you eat that?!” or politely refusing a sweet snack I offer. As you may know, Japanese food culture is often linked to our long life expectancy. We consume a lot of fermented foods like natto and miso, soy-based products, and of course, fish. You can…
Not into anime? No worries—I’m not here to give you a full-on nerd fest about every detail of the Japanese anime world. Frankly, I can’t, because anime otaku overseas know every little nuance of their favorite series already. But the popularity of Japanese anime is absolutely insane, and I’m genuinely curious about what makes these…