Blog
Snow and Ice Festivals in Japan
Posted on01. Feb, 2010 by Amy Chavez.
If you’re traveling in Japan in February looking for fun, cold things to do, Hokkaido has some great snow festivals. You may have already heard about the Sapporo Snow festival that attracts over 2 million visitors to see the Japanese castles, Chinese dragons, and other mammoth ice sculptures. The Sapporo Snow Festival is made up of international teams who compete for the best ice sculpture. But should you miss Sapporo’s festival, or should you just want to get away from the crowds, there are other, more local and equally interesting snow festivals to enjoy. [...]
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See Japan on $0 a Day
Posted on22. Jan, 2010 by Kirk.
We frequently hear from readers who are put off by Tokyo’s status as the world’s most expensive city. Because of the extreme cost involved many people fear that visiting Japan is one of those life goals that will never actually be achieved. Now, thanks to Google you can see Japan (all of it) for free. [...]
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Tofu: The New Guacamole
Posted on19. Jan, 2010 by Kassia.
Just as tofu becomes mainstream in Oklahoma, we learn that it’s facing decreasing popularity in Japan. How can this be? Is it possible that a steady diet of fast food and crazy Western delicacies like pizza will destroy the tofu industry? Not if Takuji Yamato can help it. [...]
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So, you wanna meet a geisha?
Posted on12. Jan, 2010 by Amy Chavez.
Everyone knows that geisha aren’t a common sight in Japan anymore. Sure, there are said to be a couple thousand throughout Japan, but when you consider a nation of 120 million people, that’s not many geisha to go around. I’ve lived in Japan 16 years and have never seen a geisha. But then again, I haven’t actively seeked them out either. [...]
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How To Avoid Over-Crowded Trains
Posted on04. Jan, 2010 by Kassia.
Until you’ve been squished from all sides riding the subway in Tokyo during morning rush hour, you cannot say that you’ve truly experienced a crowded train. New Yorkers might complain, but we’ve never seen a subway car there packed to capacity. Helpful white-gloved attendants packing people into cars might seem like a cliche, until you’ve been shoved into the empty space created by two people exhaling simultaneously. Physical contact with your fellow passengers is unavoidable — leading to a growing problem with groping. [...]
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Is Japan Going to the Dogs?
Posted on02. Jan, 2010 by Kassia.
Birth rates in Japan might be declining, but dog ownership is rising. While Planet Tokyo maintains a feline-only environment, we can appreciate the benefits of dogs: they’re easier to attach to a leash and take to the park. And for the childless, dogs fill a powerful void. [...]
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Tokyo Prepares For Invasion Of Robotic Mice
Posted on29. Dec, 2009 by Kirk.
I’ve written at length before about my obsession with Japanese robots. Thanks to the Omron NeCoRo, my never ending search for the perfect robot may have finally ended. Not because I’ve found the perfect robot, but because this mechanical Stepford Cat is so disturbing I may never sleep again. [...]
