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Drew Damron
Without Japanese outdoorsman George Masa, America might not have the Great Smoky Mountains National Park — so why do so many people in Japan not know he existed?
COMMUNITY / Issues
Oct 7, 2024
The forgotten Japanese naturalist who created a U.S. national park
George Masa was an enigmatic figure, but his contributions to preserving America's natural beauty are unassailable.
Blistering heat is becoming a fixture of summer in Japan, but a few tweaks to your routine can make your outdoor runs bearable — if not enjoyable — until cooler temperatures return.
LIFE / Lifestyle / Boiling Point
Aug 10, 2024
Ice bandanas, convenience store breaks: Running under Japan’s summer sun
There are easily affordable ways to work some more cooling elements into your runs.
Photo: Mount Fuji is shot from above so that you can see the trails leading to its summit.
PODCAST / deep dive
Jul 26, 2023
A tale of two Fujis: Bullet climbs, crowds and Lizzo
With the borders fully open, Mount Fuji is all booked up and Fuji Rock is back in full force. Drew Damron and Patrick St. Michel join us on the podcast to discuss Japan’s two favorite Fujis.
Japan Times
LIFE / Travel
Jul 1, 2023
Five climbs around Tokyo to get your Mount Fuji fix
Crowds dimming your hopes of a Mount Fuji climb this summer? These five peaks around Tokyo may be better options — with or without throngs of tourists.
Japan Times
LIFE / Lifestyle
May 27, 2023
100 miles around Mount Fuji on 'Asia's most important' race
The Ultra-Trail Mt. Fuji ultramarathon isn't just Japan's most prestigious trail running competition — it might one day be the world's biggest.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / THE RECIPE BOX
Mar 19, 2023
Recipe: Kinkan americano
Balanced, bittersweet sips to get any drinker started down the road of Italian cocktails.
Japan Times
LIFE / Travel
Mar 11, 2023
Subzero climbing: A frigid yet 'ephemeral' adrenaline rush
Mount Yatsugatake is one of Japan's most popular ice climbing destinations, but it might not be around for many more winters.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / THE RECIPE BOX
Jan 29, 2023
Recipe: Yuzu-sanshō sidecar
This cocktail has enough bright citrus and tongue-tingling spice to jolt you out of the midwinter doldrums.
Japan Times
LIFE
Dec 24, 2022
The unending agony of Japan’s Backyard Ultra marathon
“When I quit, it was because I wasn't thinking straight from being sleep deprived for four nights.'
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / THE RECIPE BOX
Dec 22, 2022
Recipe: Homemade eggnog
Can't find even a sip of eggnog on Japanese store shelves? Pull up your Christmas stockings and make some yourself.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / THE RECIPE BOX
Nov 27, 2022
Recipe: Persimmon saketini
The perfect drink to impress a discerning date after an afternoon of leaf peeping.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / THE RECIPE BOX
Oct 16, 2022
Recipe: Apple wine old-fashioned
A fall tipple to make Johnny Appleseed proud.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / THE RECIPE BOX
Sep 18, 2022
Recipe: Sake spritz
A dash of bitters, a glug of wine and an orange slice is a template ripe for experimentation.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / THE RECIPE BOX
Aug 21, 2022
Recipe: Mojito sin mint
Ditch the mint and throw some shiso into your mojito for a Japanese twist on the classic summer cocktail.
Japan Times
LIFE / Travel
Aug 20, 2022
Sawanobori: The treacherous pursuit of waterfall climbing
Like many outdoor pursuits, “sawanobori” offers exhilarating thrills. Unlike most, those come alongside extreme risks.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / THE RECIPE BOX
Jul 17, 2022
Recipe: Barley tea highball
Whiskey and sweet. Gin and Earl Grey. Mugi-cha and mugi-shu014dchu016b?
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink
Jun 19, 2022
Recipe: Ume fizz cocktail
With a pedigree dating back to 1876, the classic gin fizz is in dire need of a modern update.

Longform

Capsule hotels were created as a way to deal with the amount of overwork employees tend to do in Japan. Can't commute home? Then spend the night in an tiny, affordable sleeping space.
Japan wakes up to the market for a proper sleep