Sakamoto Ryoma is easily one of the most famous and influential people in Japanese history. Idealized by many Japanese boys, Sakamoto led a revolution to overthrow the Tokugawa shogunate during the Bakumatsu period. Tales … [Read more...]
During Tofugu's recent trip to Japan, I racked my brain for what souvenirs I wanted to bring back home with me. After all, I don't get to go to Japan very often, so I wanted to get as much as I could before coming back to … [Read more...]
There's a little-known phenomenon in history called “dancing mania,” and it's pretty much exactly what it sounds like: huge groups of people start dancing for no real reason until they're completely exhausted. It's a rare, … [Read more...]
About a quarter of the world's nations drive on the left side of the road, Japan being one of them. But why do they drive on the left side when so many other countries drive on the right? Have they always used the left … [Read more...]
It's always strange to see the more human, adult side of people who were important to us as kids. I was weirded out when it was revealed last year that Charles Schultz used Charlie Brown to hook up with his mistress. So … [Read more...]
Japan loves their mascots and all of us at Tofugu love writing about how much Japan loves their mascots. It's a love-love relationship, really. Anyway, what could be better than a Japanese mascot? How about a Japanese … [Read more...]