CATEGORIES

The Life And Love Of Japan's New Emperor

As Emperor Akihito prepares to step down, all eyes are turning towards his son and successor, Crown Prince Naruhito. Here, we reflect on his relatively down-to-earth upbringing, the freedom he felt while living in England, and whether his wife, who has battled for years to adjust to palace life, is ready to take on the role of empress.

What It's Really Like Inside Terrace House

The Japanese reality TV show has been described as both boring and fascinating, and has gathered a cult following abroad. Matthew Hernon chats with the stars to find out what it’s like on the inside.

Sanjo And Tsubame: Forged By Fire

Meet some of Japan's top artisans and try your hand at metalworking in one of the most famous industrial regions in the world

1 In 6 The Number Of Children In Japan Living In Relative Poverty

Although Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has stated there is "no way" Japan is in poverty, statistics show that 54% of single-parent families, and 16% of children, are living below the poverty line. Matthew Hernon investigates the country’s hidden crisis.

Food Is Like Fashion

Chef extraordinaire Bill Granger on being inspired by Japan’s visual culture, what he learnt from his butcher father and grandfather, and his favorite Bills branches including the latest opening in Ginza.

Japan's Got Talent

It’s not the norm to stand out from the crowd here, but these four Japanese artists and performers go to the extreme to do just that.

Explore The Special Gardens Of Yokohama

This month, The Garden Necklace 2017 event gives the city’s already beautiful parks and gardens an extra dose of color.

Bewitched By The Travel Gods

The months and days are the travellers of eternity. The years that come and go are also voyagers. Those who float away their lives on ships or who grow old leading horses are forever journeying, and their homes are wherever their travels take them.

Under The Tracks In Yurakucho

Surrounded by the extravagance of areas such as Marunouchi, Ginza, Hibiya and Shimbashi, this old-school neighborhood is something of an island extending in a narrow strip beneath the Yamanote line. But it does have a few modern surprises up its sleeve…

Breaking The Rules Of Kimono

A new book by Dr sheila Cliffe shows off the different personalities of this very traditional yet often misconceived garment.

The Misunderstood Crows Of Tokyo

Love or hate them, the city’s gigantic crows cannot be ignored. To make sense of their place in the concrete jungle, we look at their longheld connection with Japan, and some surprising lessons we can learn from these sometimes smart, sometimes foolish “urban guerrillas of birds”

Boys For Sale

A shocking new documentary brings to light a particular kind of sex trade happening in shinjuku ni-chome,where young, mostly straight boys are being paid to sleep with older men.

Seeking White Sand

Craving an island escape? Here are three destinations in Japan that should be on the list of “Asia’s best beaches”

A Day In The Life Of A Rickshaw Driver

We Chat With a Veteran Shafu About the Best, Worst – and Weirdest – Parts of the Job

Society

Tokyo’s Longest Running Social Column With Bill Hersey