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Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink
Nov 27, 2015

The future of conveyor-belt sushi

In October, U.K. sushi chain Yo! Sushi opened a new kaiten (conveyor belt) restaurant in a Florida mall. It is the third branch the chain has established in the United States this year, and more branches are slated to open in 2016. It is a reminder that this automated approach to dining continues to...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music / STRANGE BOUTIQUE
Nov 27, 2015

The complexities of living too close to Tokyo

While traveling in the northeastern part of Japan last month, I was struck by the way quirky, alternative and avant-garde music carves out a space for itself in parts of the country that are isolated from the major cultural centers.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Voices / FOREIGN AGENDA
Nov 25, 2015

Japan: surprisingly, sensibly and endearingly low-tech

The common image of Japan abroad as a high-tech country is severely out of step with the everyday experience of those of us who live here.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / BLACK EYE
Nov 22, 2015

Bring back that Kobe feeling, 'cause it's gone, gone, gone

From the moment I stepped off the shinkansen at Shin-Kobe Station, I could feel a subtle difference between the Yokohama-Tokyo area and this city.
Japan Times
LIFE / Lifestyle
Nov 21, 2015

There's no time like the Christmas present

It may not be a traditional custom in Japan, but Christmas gift-giving is always played up by shopping malls here. If you're finding it all a bit overwhelming but still looking for something special, our writers are here to help with a few ideas that they think will make perfect gifts for your friends,...
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / THE KIDS' TABLE
Nov 20, 2015

Holiday dining in Tokyo where the kids can run amuck and eat like kings

With the end of the year approaching, I decided to scout out potential candidates for a holiday meal with my children. My criteria: good food (of course) with something on the menu that would appeal to the under-12 set, great ambience — special enough without being so formal that it would be stressful...
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / TOKYO FOOD FILE
Nov 20, 2015

Souen: Green tea and traditional sweets in Nishi-Azabu

Remind me again what Japan's national (nonalcoholic) drink is. No, it's not coffee, whether out of vending machines or fastidiously dripped by well-coiffed baristas. It is, of course, green tea — not that you'd realize it in Tokyo. This may be the land where ceremonial tea was perfected, but it's hard...
LIFE / Travel / HOTELS & RESTAURANTS
Nov 19, 2015

Christmas stay includes Santa visit; new desserts added to luxury lunch; elaborate cakes to celebrate holidays

Christmas stay includes Santa visit
Japan Times
WORLD
Nov 18, 2015

Satirical mag Charlie Hebdo raises glasses to party-goers

France's Charlie Hebdo journal, the target of lethal attacks by Islamist militants last January, defended party-goers over gun-toters in a new edition following last Friday's terrorist attacks in the French capital.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
Nov 17, 2015

The ripple effect of Tawaraya Sotatsu's waves

'The most important Japanese artist you've never heard of." That is how James Ulak, senior curator of Japanese art at the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery in Washington, describes Tawaraya Sotatsu, the focus of the gallery's current magnificent exhibition. The show presents the first in-depth examination of...
Japan Times
JAPAN
Nov 15, 2015

Delivery failures dog parcel firms

Missing a package delivery is usually not a problem when one can easily go online or call to request redelivery.
Japan Times
LIFE / Lifestyle
Nov 14, 2015

IT companies scramble to take advantage of Shibuya's transport networks, proximity to youth culture

Shibuya is famous for its scramble crossing, shopping and youth culture but the district has also established itself as a hub for myriad IT firms and Internet-based startups, leading some to describe it as the equivalent to Silicon Valley in the U.S. state of California.
Japan Times
LIFE / Travel
Nov 14, 2015

Nishinoshima: Oki's island of sanctuary

Were it not for the well-nourished faces of the passengers suffused with keen expressions of expectation and purpose, the supine bodies, unpacked food, luggage and blankets strewn across the hard flooring of the ferry's modern equivalent of steerage class resembled those of a migrant ship.
LIFE / Language / MORNING ENGLISH
Nov 9, 2015

Let's discuss Halloween in Japan

Retailers are hoping to further capitalize on an event that by one estimate will generate ¥122 billion in Japan.
COMMENTARY / World
Nov 7, 2015

Like the suburbs? You'll love driverless cars

Driverless cars are on the way, and their impact is going to change our lives.
Japan Times
LIFE / Travel
Oct 31, 2015

Sensory overload in Aomori's capital city

I nearly walk by Aomori's Furukawa market on the first pass, expecting something akin to the cacophony of Tokyo's central wholesale fish market (known casually to most as Tsukiji). Sliding open the door to the squat building, however, I am assaulted with the not unwelcome scent of fresh seafood, an encouraging...
Japan Times
MULTIMEDIA
Oct 30, 2015

October 31, 2015

Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 28, 2015

Anti-war student organization to close shop after Upper House poll

SEALDs, the group behind youth protests against Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's security legislation, announces it will disband after next year's Upper House election.
LIFE / Language / MORNING ENGLISH
Oct 26, 2015

Let's discuss Japan at the Rugby World Cup

Rugby fever has swept the field in Japan after the national team achieved a best-ever three wins at the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
Japan Times
LIFE / Style & Design
Oct 24, 2015

Tokyo fashion week: Hiromichi Ochiai — man in the middle

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Tokyo wrapped up its runway shows at the Hikarie shopping complex in Shibuya Ward on Oct. 17, ending six days of presentations that showcased a wide range of collections for the upcoming 2016 spring/summer season.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / OSAKA RESTAURANTS
Oct 23, 2015

A La Campagne: A patisserie lacking a little 'je ne sais quoi'

A La Campagne, or "in the countryside" is a loosely French-themed chain of patisseries and cafes. The first shop opened in the sweet-toothed city of Kobe in 1984 and since then they have been sprouting up all over Japan. On a recent sojourn to Osaka, I popped into the branch in the city's Shinsaibashi...
COMMUNITY / Voices / HOTLINE TO NAGATACHO
Oct 21, 2015

Tokyo can feel less than welcoming to food allergy sufferers

Japan needs to improve labeling and education surrounding food allergies, and increase allergen-safe options.
Japan Times
LIFE / Lifestyle
Oct 21, 2015

Join the zombie horde for Halloween this year

Last Halloween I showed up at a nightclub in Shibuya wearing a pair of fangs and a sexy dress and expected to get the costume discount. The doorman laughed in my face.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL
Oct 19, 2015

An increasingly bitter battle of the ages brews in Japan

The elderly believe that having worked themselves to the bone their entire lives, they deserve to have fun. Society, though, is becoming less sympathetic to this view.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / TOKYO FOOD FILE
Oct 16, 2015

Japanese Soba Noodles Tsuta: Don't let the name fool you, this is the best ramen in northern Tokyo

Is ramen Japanese or Chinese? That particular question is clearly a non-starter for the good folks at Japanese Soba Noodles Tsuta — whose name stakes out their position. But, to clarify things, you won't find buckwheat noodles in their bowls; what you get is arguably the finest ramen in northern Tokyo....
Reader Mail
Oct 16, 2015

Apply hospitality to all of humanity

The column "Omotenashi comes up short on humility" in the Oct. 11 edition gave me a chance to ponder the essence of omotenashi (hospitality).
JAPAN / HOTEL SPECIAL 2015
Oct 16, 2015

Grand Hyatt serves best of autumn harvest

Grand Hyatt Tokyo is offering autumn menus at all of its restaurants, featuring a colorful lineup of dishes for guests to enjoy the harvest season with family and friends.
Rugby
Oct 14, 2015

Rugby fever sweeps Japan, as Goromaru and Co. become household names

Rugby fever has swept the field in Japan after the national team gained its best-ever three wins at the Rugby World Cup 2015.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / THE FOREIGN ELEMENT
Oct 14, 2015

Animal advocates divided over shelter practices

Foreign volunteers break off contact with Tokyo NPO over conditions at dog facility.

Longform

Bear attacks have dominated Japanese news headlines in recent months, with 13 people so far having been killed by the animals.
Japan’s bears have been on their killing spree for more than 100 years