National / Media | DARK SIDE OF THE RISING SUN Oct 4, 2019
Rip-off bars are taking advantage of Japan's tourism boom
by Jake Adelstein
With the number of foreign tourists to Japan increasing by the year, authorities are warning visitors to steer clear of so-called rip-off bars. Such establishments have been a problem for a number of years but police are no closer to being able to shut them ...
National Aug 21, 2019
Nightlife spots off Japan's beaten tourist track seek to lure in foreign visitors
by Masumi Koizumi
At around 10 p.m. on a Thursday in early August, foot traffic at a dining and drinking district only one stop from Tokyo's Ikebukuro Station was unexpectedly sparse despite warm summer weather — ideal conditions for a cold beverage, or two. Across streetcar tracks and ...
Business May 5, 2019
Rugby World Cup organizers express concern over beer stocks as Japan girds for thirsty foreign fans
The committee warned restaurant operators that running out of beer would cost them lucrative business opportunities and could create bad publicity.
Food & Drink Feb 23, 2019
Jigokudani is Osaka's hidden 'Hell Valley' for barhopping
by Matt Kaufman
Jigokudani (Hell Valley) is a hidden labyrinth of about two-dozen small bars and restaurants near Noda Station in Osaka's Fukushima Ward.
Our Lives | TELLING LIVES Feb 10, 2019
The man who set the bar for British pubs in Yokohama
by Arthur O'keefe
British pubs are everywhere in Japan these days. They, along with their Irish counterparts, are common drinking venues for both expats and Japanese eager for a cozy, dimly lit atmosphere, hearty pub fare such as shepherd's pie, fish and chips, and a tempting variety ...
Food & Drink Feb 10, 2019
The 'Ten Commandments' of running a genuine Irish pub
by J.J. O'Donoghue
British bars are ubiquitous in Kansai, but a genuine Irish establishment should follow these "Ten Commandments": Don't put a Union Jack on the front door. Or behind the door, above the bar, on the ceiling or anywhere near a pint of Guinness. I'm not against ...
Business Feb 7, 2019
Tokyo mecha bar targets middle-aged fans of the anime genre as it reopens following remodeling work
by Kazuaki Nagata
Sipping booze while being surrounded by a small army of robot figures may not be a relaxing setting for ordinary bar-goers. But that's the sort of place where middle-aged fans of the mecha anime genre, which focuses on giant robots or machines controlled by people, ...
National / Crime & Legal Jul 18, 2018
Japan's watered-down smoking ban clears Diet
by Tomohiro Osaki
Lighting up in public facilities prohibited for the first time as the nation scrambles to combat secondhand smoke in the lead-up to the 2020 Tokyo Games.
National Jul 10, 2018
'Life or death': Tokyo pub owners fear impact of tougher smoking laws
by Tomohiro Osaki
Hiroshi Yoshida is facing a dilemma. Under an anti-smoking ordinance adopted by the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly last month, the 73-year-old owner of a small udon (wheat noodles) restaurant in the Takadanobaba district will soon have to make a choice: declare the entire interior nonsmoking or ...
Business / Financial Markets Oct 5, 2017
Amazon will serve wine, beer and cocktails at pop-up bar in Tokyo's Ginza district
Amazon.com Inc. is opening a bar. For 10 days, the web retailer is going to sell beer, wine, sake and cocktails in Tokyo's glitzy Ginza district to promote alcoholic products sold on its website in Japan. While Amazon has opened physical bookstores, bought Whole Foods ...
National / Social Issues Feb 8, 2017
Ministry considers smoking ban exception for small bars, clubs, restaurants
The health ministry is considering allowing smoking in small bars, clubs and restaurants as exceptions to anti-smoking regulations that are being contemplated, ministry sources said Wednesday. The move comes after the restaurant industry voiced opposition to a comprehensive smoking ban that may be imposed ahead ...