Category Culture

Tsukimi: Japan’s Moon Viewing Festival

Drawing of a Japanese couple viewing the bright full moon overlooking a city.

Tsukimi/Otsukimi (月見/お月見), also known as Jugoya (fifteenth night), is a traditional Japanese moon-viewing festival that takes place every autumn to celebrate and gaze upon the beauty of the full moon. This centuries-old tradition is still observed today on the 15th…

Menhera: The Sad Reality Behind the Cute Face

4 variations of the Kurumi-chan LINE sticker, a popular character depicting Menhera.

Have you ever stumbled upon this cute LINE sticker character with the black hoodie just being cute? Her name is Kurumi-chan. She’s actually one of many faces of a cute but concerning fashion subculture called Menhera (Short for mental health).…

Chigyu: A Delicious Stereotype

Image of the Japanese Chigyu meme compared to the American Virgin Walk meme.

Ever wondered if the nerd eating chicken tendies stereotype existed outside of the anglosphere? It does. And in Japan, they’re called “chigyu” (チー牛) or “chi-gyu” named after the abbreviation for cheese gyudon. But why? What ties this rather ordinary beef…

The Tower of the Sun: An Osaka Expo Remant

A stamp from the UAE showcasing the Tower of the Sun and Osaka Expo'70.

Tucked away in Japan’s Suita, Osaka is a creepy looking marvel that’s both whimsical and profound, strange yet evocative. It’s called Taiyo no To (太陽の塔) or the Tower of the Sun. For those who haven’t had the pleasure (and perhaps…

Cosplaying on a Budget in Japan

Girl in pink hair and a maid outfit leaning over a railing.

Have you yearned to add spice to your ordinary life? Just like adding some chill flakes to your usual pasta recipe. Hasn’t such a thought aroused a feeling within yourself to want more? Don’t you want to make your inner…

Nakano Sunplaza: Sunsetting a Cultural Icon

A view of Nakano Sunplaza from the right side at night from an overpass crossing.

If you get a chance to walk around the area in the middle of Tokyo’s Nakano ward, there’s a distinct triangular building that stands out from the buildings around it. It’s a former hotel and concert venue that’s been an…