In the world of baseball, few players capture the global imagination quite like Shohei Ohtani. The Los Angeles Dodgers’ two-way sensation wrapped up his eighth MLB season on September 28, 2025 (September 29 in Japan), with a performance that blended sheer power and resilience. Facing the Seattle Mariners on the …

Imagine stepping off a plane in Tokyo, your heart racing with excitement as you prepare to immerse yourself in one of the world’s most fascinating cultures. You spot your local host waiting at the airport, and as you approach, you muster up the courage to say those first words: “Hajimemashite.” …

As the calendar flips to late September, most of us around the world start pulling out sweaters and craving pumpkin-spiced everything. But in Japan, something unusual is happening—or rather, not happening. Autumn seems to be playing hide-and-seek. On September 28, 2025, Osaka recorded a high of 30.6°C, marking the city’s …

As we edge closer to October 2025, Japan is gearing up for a series of updates that could touch everything from your daily entertainment to your household budget. If you’re living in Japan, planning a trip, or just curious about how this innovative nation keeps evolving, these changes highlight the …

In recent years, the city of Kawaguchi in Saitama Prefecture has become a focal point for heated discussions about Japan’s growing immigrant communities, particularly those from Kurdish backgrounds. Online forums and social media buzz with stories of cultural clashes, traffic woes, and public disturbances, often painting a picture of tension …

Have you ever wondered why some couples in Japan opt for separate beds or even separate rooms? It’s a topic that often sparks curiosity among international audiences, especially when compared to Western norms where sharing a bed is seen as a symbol of intimacy. But in Japan, this practice isn’t …

Have you ever watched a Japanese drama or anime and noticed how characters skirt around directly saying “I love you”? Or maybe you’ve dated someone from Japan and wondered why those three little words seem to hang in the air, unspoken? It’s a fascinating quirk of Japanese culture that often …

In a world where acts of kindness often go unnoticed, one man’s quiet dedication stands out like a beacon of hope. Shigeo Arita, a 70-year-old resident of Izumo City in Shimane Prefecture, Japan, has donated blood an astonishing 810 times over the past 45 years. This remarkable achievement isn’t just …

Imagine you’re wandering the bustling streets of Tokyo, your stomach rumbling after a long day of exploring temples and neon-lit alleys. You spot a cozy ramen shop and step inside, ready to order. But how do you politely ask for that steaming bowl of noodles? Enter “kudasai” – a simple …

Mental health is a universal concern, but the way we talk about it—and deal with it—can vary wildly from one culture to another. If you’ve ever wondered how to express “depression” in Japanese, whether for language learning, travel, or a deeper understanding of global well-being, you’re in the right place. …