Let’s face it—swords are cool. Even if you’ve never picked up a blade in your life (plastic lightsabers don’t count, Todd), there’s just something about a beautifully crafted sword with an ancient name that makes you want to stand dramatically…

Ever tried to write in Japanese and ended up with something that looked like a toddler’s first attempt at drawing a spider? Yeah, me too. Japanese calligraphy, or shodō (書道), is one of those arts that looks effortlessly elegant—until you…

Ah, New Year’s Eve. The night of questionable resolutions, countdown chaos, and that one relative who insists on singing “Auld Lang Syne” off-key. But in Japan? Totally different story. New Year’s (or Oshōgatsu, as it’s called) isn’t just another wild…

Ah, Golden Week—Japan’s beloved, chaotic, and absolutely bonkers string of holidays that has the entire nation collectively saying, “I need a vacation from my vacation.” If you’ve ever wondered what happens when a whole country tries to go on holiday…

Have you ever wanted to impress your friends by casually dropping Japanese numbers into a conversation? Maybe you’re planning a trip to Japan, dreaming of ordering ten bowls of ramen (because one is never enough), or trying to flex your…

Ah, the classic travel question: How much is $1 in Japanese yen? If you’re planning a trip to Japan, you’ve probably Googled this, only to be greeted by a number that changes every few minutes like a moody teenager deciding…

Imagine this: You’re wandering through the neon jungle of Tokyo, eyes darting between the futuristic skyscrapers, quaint wooden shrines, and impossibly tiny yet perfectly organized apartments. One minute, you’re staring at a centuries-old temple; the next, you’re inside a 3D-printed…

Ever wondered how to say rose in Japanese? Maybe you’re trying to impress a special someone, or you just want to sound fancy when ordering floral tea. Either way, you’re in for a treat because the Japanese language has a…