Everybody knows the old saying “Necessity is the mother of invention,” but the Japanese seems to really take it to heart. Japan has a lot of strange, unique needs, and out of those needs come cool, unusual inventions. One of Japan’s biggest needs has been space. Japan is a pretty small country with a lot [...]
In our last edition of how to be a baka gaijin we explored the fine art of being a baka gaijin on trains. So you’ve made it through the grueling ordeal that is your train ride and you’ve finally arrived at your destination. What’s this? You’re staying with a nice Japanese family for a homestay? [...]
Anyone who has any interest in Japan has most likely been exposed to pachinko (パチンコ) in one form or another. Perhaps you saw it in an anime or a drama, or perhaps you ran across it in one of our earlier Tofugu posts, or perhaps you’ve already developed an incurable pachinko addiction (much like Koichi). [...]
For years, Tokyo Tower has been an iconic figure in Tokyo’s skyline, but that may soon be coming to an end. After nearly four years in the making, the Tokyo Skytree has finished construction, and it will open to the public next week. Even though it hasn’t opened yet, it’s already made headlines as the [...]
Shimokitazawa (下北沢) is just about the trendiest neighborhood in Tokyo. Also known as Shimokita for short, the district is a hub for stage theater and live music. With its numerous cafes, music outlets, vintage clothing stores, live music clubs, and cheap noodle shops, Shimokitazawa is incredibly popular with trendy students and hip young peoples all [...]
Over the last six months or so, Japanese police have been cracking down on nightclubs, breaking up illegal activity and arresting people. What’s going on in these clubs? Are people fighting, doing copious amounts of drugs, or counterfeiting money? Believe it or not, this flurry of police activity has been about dancing. That’s right, if [...]
When I think of Japan I tend to think of beautiful design. Zen gardens, temples, shrines, tea ceremonies, manga, anime, wabi-sabi… the list goes on and on. Yet for some reason Japan just can’t put any of this together to make a decent looking website. Where did they go wrong? What in the world happened? [...]
