Japanese cities are special because of the way they combine modern, high-tech life with traditional culture and historical buildings. It can feel as though life has become fully urbanized. Like much of the world, young people move out of rural towns to explore the opportunities in large cities. But don’t be fooled – rural life...Read More
The Japanese are well-known for being unfailingly polite, ever helpful, and always considerate. This is something that is ingrained in its inhabitants from a very early age, and can be seen in everything from the way people greet, to the design of a toilet (no kidding). The Japanese call this spirit ‘Omotenashi’. Roughly translated as...Read More
On Sunday, I decided to go to one of Japan’s most famously controversial festivals, the Kanamara Matsuri in Kawasaki. The area was completely packed with foreign faces looking to participate, and to deep throat phallus-shaped lollipops. The first thing that struck me was how small the actual shrine, and festival area was. Since it’s such...Read More
