The Evolution of the Japanese Toilet
Long — ahem — the butt of jokes in the Western world, the superior experience and cleanliness of using a high-tech toilet in Japan is no laughing matter. Sure, one of the most immediate, formative experiences for first-time visitors to Japan is a confusing and awkward...
Experience Time Travel With Japanese Woodblock Art
Japanese woodblock prints can take art lovers to another time and place. Ukiyo-e, as the art is known, flourished during Japan’s Edo period, from 1603 to 1868. Ukiyo-e was also accessible up and down Japan’s class hierarchy, and it’s still accessible to everyone...
Blades of Glory: Japan’s Riveting History of Sharp Objects
From samurai swords to kitchen knives, Japan has mastered the craft of blade making over millennia. Ask any American of a certain age what they know of Japanese blades, however, and they’ll probably mention Ginsu, the kitchen knives sold on late-night infomercials in...
So You Want to Climb Mt. Fuji?
Ascending Japan’s tallest peak is a must-do excursion that will enrich your spirit. And your muscles will forgive you (eventually). There’s a saying in Japanese that roughly translates to: “A wise person will climb Mt. Fuji once in his or her lifetime, but only a fool...