Japan

    The more you learn about Japanese culture and history, the easier it becomes to navigate Japan. This means learning why Meiji-period author Higuchi Ichiyō's face is on the ¥5,000 bill. Or studying the ins-and-outs of omiyage. Or discovering what it takes to land a job in Japan. Check out the articles below, and start growing your cultural understanding.
    1. What is Yuri? Queer Women Content in Japanese Media You Know Boys' Love, But What About Girls' Love?

      | Emily Suvannasankha
    2. Buying Secondhand Books & Manga in Japan Hit the Books Other People Have Already Hit

      | Emily Suvannasankha
    3. Secondhand Shopping in Japan: How To Get Fashion Items for Cheap Take a Walk in Someone Else's Shoes (Literally)

      | Emily Suvannasankha
    4. Secondhand Shopping in Japan One Nihonjin's Trash is Another Gaijin’s Treasure

      | Emily Suvannasankha
    5. Japan's National Healthcare Guide (From An American Perspective) Tips and Emotional Support for Visiting Doctors in Japan

      | Emily Suvannasankha
    6. MEXT Research Scholarship: How to Get a Master's Scholarship in Japan for Free Continuing Your Education on the Prime Minister's Dime

      | Emily Suvannasankha
    7. Coming Out in Japan From Pots and Pans to Alphabet Soup: Japanese Queer Identities in Context

      | Cameron Lombardo
    8. How to Live (And Sometimes Work) in Japan on Working Holiday: The Ultimate Guide The best way to get a working visa for Japan and then spend most of your time vacationing

      | Julia Mascetti
    9. Here are Your Options for Getting Internet in Japan How Japan is preparing for the 2020 Olympics by keeping you connected

      | Michael Richey, Koichi, Mami Suzuki, and Jamal Lee
    10. "What to Do with One Day in Tokyo" – Michael Colorful toys, high-flying rides, and serene walks; all in only one day

      | Michael Richey
    11. Tofugu's Favorite Posts of 2017 The 8 best articles as chosen by the Tofugu Staff

      | Koichi, Viet Hoang, Kristen Dexter, Mami Suzuki, Darin Richardson, Jamal Lee, Aya Francisco, and Michael Richey
    12. How to Get a Job in Japan: Advice from an Insider Expert A guy with 10 years experience helping people get hired at Japanese companies spills the beans

      | Michael Richey
    13. Haiku: A Whole Lot More Than 5-7-5 And the 5-7-5 rule doesn't work the way you think

      | Jack
    14. A Pilgrimage to the Real Life Locations of Your Name A step-by-step anime walking tour you can follow

      | Kanae Nakamine
    15. "What to Do with One Day in Tokyo" – Kanae A Foodie's Guide to Tokyo's Best-kept Culinary Secrets

      | Kanae Nakamine
    16. "What to Do with One Day in Kyoto" – Kristen AKA "The Shy Vegetarian's Ideal Day In Kyoto"

      | Kristen Dexter
    17. 10 Secret Onsen (That Aren't so Secret Now That We've Told You About Them) If you can make it to a hitou, you deserve to have it all to yourself

      | Kanae Nakamine
    18. Boston Career Forum: The Ultimate Guide Everything you need to know to land a job at the BCF

      | Claire Williamson
    19. Omiyage: The Gift You Have to Keep On Giving The social constraint that's actually a lot of fun

      | Carla Sinclair and Michael Richey
    20. Mochi: Japan's Soft, Sweet, Squishy Snack Also, you might choke and die, but try not to think about that

      | Rich
    21. Tired of Teaching English: A Guide to Your New Career in Japan A guest post by ALTInsider

      | James Winovich
    22. Moving, Retiring, and Living Out Your Life in Japan A Step-by-Step Guide for Foreigners Staying in Japan Till the End

      | Ben Shearon
    23. Japanese Blood Types: And What They Say About Your Personality An Easy Way to Find Your Compatibility with Japanese Friends

      | Kanae Nakamine
    24. How the Japanese Government is Killing Yatai Food Carts Is This the End of Japan's First Fast Food?

      | Eryk
    25. The 10 Best Onsen Resort Towns in Japan Get Naked with Strangers and Soak Up the Relaxation

      | Kanae Nakamine
    26. Why Japan Will Lose 20 Million People by 2050 Bring in the robots, immigrants, and women!

      | Michael Richey
    27. Crispy, Crunchy, Crawly: Eating Bugs in Japan Your new sustainable, nutritious diet

      | Kanae Nakamine
    28. Washitsu: A Japanese Room for Guests, Family, or Alone Time One room with a gazillion uses

      | Joel Neff
    29. How to Buy a New House in Japan A simple guide to finding your dream home

      | Joel Neff
    30. The 20 Best Anime Movies Not Made by Studio Ghibli Japanese Animation Cinema Ranked (No Totoros Allowed)

      | Rich
    31. Tofugu's Favorite Posts of 2016 We tell you what to like so you don't have to

      | Koichi, Viet Hoang, Michael Richey, Carla Sinclair, Kristen Dexter, Mami Suzuki, Kanae Nakamine, Jamal Lee, and Aya Francisco
    32. How to Score Yourself Ghibli Museum Tickets Before It's Too Late Here are the 4 best ways

      | Carla Sinclair
    33. State Shinto: A Religion Interrupted How the Japanese Government took over the country's native religion

      | Eryk
    34. Thanksgiving in Japan? We asked 5 expats how they spend their turkey day abroad

      | Carla Sinclair
    35. Tengu: The Japanese Demon That's Basically a Mini-God Full of Pride, Full of Power

      | Linda Lombardi
    36. Pocky Day: Celebrating Japan's Favorite Stick Snack The official snack of late night anime binges gets its own day

      | Michael Richey
    37. Making Your JET Program Recontracting Decision Should you stay or should you go now?

      | Michael Richey
    38. The 13 Best Japanese Horror Films Tofugu handpicks the very best of Japan's horror cinema

      | Michael Richey, Rich, and Kaitlin Stainbrook
    39. English Bulletin Board Ideas for JET Program ALTs Everything you need to know about making the best English boards your school has ever seen

      | Sandra
    40. Japan’s Doujinshi Culture Of Creativity Through Theft And The Monster Trying To Destroy It

      | Rich and Michael Richey
    41. 26 Etiquette Rules Every English Teacher in Japan Should Know Japanese etiquette and customs that help you become part of the team

      | Michael Richey
    42. Higuchi Ichiyō: Badass Women in Japanese History Uncompromising and fearless, she returned Japanese literature to its classical roots

      | Kristen Dexter