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Tokyo Weekender •

The Top 5 Shotengai Shopping Streets in Tokyo | Tokyo Weekender

If you truly want to experience Tokyo, or need to squeeze in some last-minute souvenir shopping before continuing your travels, consider spending a few hours in the city’s shotengai. Essentially meaning “shopping street,” the shotengai you’ll find here are diverse, ranging from pedestrian-filled streets with flashy signs and vendors loudly hawking their wares, to quiet, almost forgotten corners of Tokyo with mom-and-pop stores offering traditional goods.
Either way, shotengai often are found nea...
Tokyo Weekender •

Nothing Says Spring in Tokyo Like Vegan Sakura Burgers | Tokyo Weekender

Like an unseasonable snow fall, mounds of pink and white petals have already begun accumulating across the city, marking a sudden (though not unexpected) conclusion to Tokyo’s 2019 cherry blossom season.
While things might be wrapping up throughout much of the Kanto region, further north incredible displays of sakura can still be readily viewed, with a full bloom not even expected until May 5 in Sapporo.
And much like the actual cherry blossom, while seasonal menus have largely disappeared, ther...
Tokyo Weekender •

5 More Must-Try Vegetarian Restaurants In Tokyo

Hey, welcome back – if you read the previous guide. That, as you can see, was just a taste of the vegetarian and vegan options Tokyo has to offer. Here are a few more select recommendations.

Located on a side street near Aoyama Gakuin University, this 100% vegan restaurant has an undeniable trendy flair, but still works for a casual lunch or evening with friends.
Borrowing heavily from Mediterranean-inspired cuisine, the restaurant’s mood lighting and elegant flair gives you a hint of the exten...
Tokyo Weekender •

These Sakura-Themed Pretzels Pair Well with Spring – and Pink Glitter Beer | Tokyo Weekender

The coming of spring in Tokyo is an exciting season for many. The weather begins to gradually warm and then, what for months was just a grey backdrop, suddenly is filled with color as the city’s many cherry blossoms start to bloom. Tourists and locals alike gather to view the flowering cherry blossom (or sakura), picnicking at parks with family members, friends and co-workers.
But as quickly as the city is filled with the soft pink and white hues of sakura, their petals soon and, rather dramatic...
Tokyo Weekender •

6 of Tokyo's Best Pizza Restaurants | Tokyo Weekender

Like all good legends, the arrival of pizza in Japan is a bit mysterious. Two crewmen from an Italian vessel reportedly introduced the people of Kobe to pizza and it later spread, with Tokyo’s first pizzeria opening during the 1950s.
From that moment, pretty much all of Japan was dominated by a particular pizza-style, Neapolitan. Originating from Naples, this well-known style of pizza consists basically of tomatoes and mozzarella hasn’t changed in more than a century. There’s even a trade associ...
Tokyo Weekender •

Tried and Tested: Which Tokyo Konbini Sells the Tastiest Pizza-Man Steamed Buns? | Tokyo Weekender

Being a Chicagoan, pizza holds a special place in my heart. It’s a food that pretty much everyone can agree on and basically has become an icon of the city, which led to a never-ending debate with our culinary rival (ahem… NYC) over which city has the better pizza.
I think the answer is rather obvious, but stepping down from my personal soapbox for a moment, when I came over to Tokyo, I really had no idea what to expect in terms of pizza. Honestly, I was more focused on trying Japanese cuisine....
Tokyo Weekender •

A Herbivore’s Guide to 5 Must-Try Vegetarian Restaurants in Tokyo | Tokyo Weekender

Being a vegetarian (or vegan) isn’t that easy in Tokyo.
In a country which basically is raised on… well, a lot of meat, from konbini-fried chicken and nikuman to more traditional favorites like pork-based ramen and sushi, you might begin to feel there’s nothing to eat besides egg sandwiches. These sandwiches are delicious, but you can only live off just eggs for so long — trust me.
Well-meaning restaurant staff also still often are confused with the concept of vegetarianism and veganism. You’ll...
JAPAN Forward •

Paradise (Almost) Lost: Nearly 99% of Okinawa’s Coral Reef is Unhealthy | JAPAN Forward

Patrick Kelly
 
Japan’s largest coral reef, the Sekisei Lagoon, is under extreme stress with only 1.4% now considered healthy according to a study conducted by Ministry of the Environment.
 
Boasting over 350 types of coral, the reef is a popular diving spot in Okinawa. However, around 90% of the reef experienced damage from the phenomenon known as “coral bleaching” in 2016, including 70% that was killed off by the phenomenon.
 
Spanning 67.89 square kilometers (about 26 miles), the overall vo...
JAPAN Forward •

Naoshima: Japan's Island of Art | JAPAN Forward

Patrick Kelly
In the Seto Inland Sea, a large body of water separating Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu—three of Japan’s four main islands—lies the small island of Naoshima. And when I say it’s small, I mean it.
 
It is roughly 14.22 square kilometers (for those using the Imperial system, that’s around 5.5 square miles), so you could easily walk across the island in a day. The island’s population is rather small too. Dropping from around 8,000 people in the 1950s and 1960s to a little over 3,000 toda...
JAPAN Forward •

‘Aggretsuko’: Netflix's Cute Red Panda Who Rages Against the Machine | JAPAN Forward

If you spent any time scrolling through Netflix this weekend, you probably saw a new original animated series called Aggretsuko. The show is from the makers of Hello Kitty and it focuses on a 25-year-old red panda named Retsuko, who works as a mild-mannered employee in the accounting department of a large Tokyo corporation.
 
However, unlike typical Sanrio characters—a certain white kitten comes to mind and, yes, I know Sanrio claimed she’s a British schoolgirl and not a cat—Aggretsuko details t...
JAPAN Forward •

Japan: The Colors of Springtime | JAPAN Forward

Japan is perhaps best known for its cherry blossom season, which sees much of the country turn an eye-catching shade of pink. Tourists the world over flock to Japan, hoping to view the ubiquitous cherry blossoms during full bloom, while local residents often enjoy o-hanami or outdoor flower viewing parties. What I will term “sakura fever” seemingly overtakes the country. I mean, you pretty much can find cherry blossom variations of anything from beer and cakes to udon and potato chips. 
 
Howeve...
JAPAN Forward •

Emojis: A Story that Began in Japan | JAPAN Forward

Emojis have imbedded themselves in our smart phone-obsessed culture. The Emoji Movie may have received a less-than-stellar critical review (currently holding an impressively low 8% on Rotten Tomatoes and stumbling its way into winning the Razzie for Worst Movie in 2017), but the symbols themselves continue to grow in popularity. 
 
They can represent anything from what you’d like for lunch to feelings of romance, travel plans, LGBTQ+ issues (see what occurred in China earlier this year), religio...
JAPAN Forward •

Pacific Garbage Patch Now 3 Times the Size of France | JAPAN Forward

A new study indicates that the so-called “Great Pacific Garbage Patch” is 16 times bigger than previous estimates. This swirling collection of trash between Hawaii and California spans about 1.6 million square kilometers, making it three times larger than France or double that of Texas back in the United States. Actually, owing to the size of the patch, some have campaigned for it to be recognized as a country, the appropriately named “Trash Isles,” with former U.S. Vice President Al Gore signin...
JAPAN Forward •

Can China Keep Up As Southeast Asia Diversifies Ties? | JAPAN Forward

Former United States President Barrack Obama referred to himself as “America’s first Pacific president.” At the same time, China has made its own more tangible pivot of sorts toward Southeast Asia.
 
Since the announcement of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in late 2013, Beijing has emphasized the importance of neighborhood diplomacy. From its perspective, Southeast Asia will play a crucial role in the development of its 21st Century Maritime Silk Road—both  proposed routes would go through t...
JAPAN Forward •

The US and Vietnam: Old Enemies, New Friends? | JAPAN Forward

America’s eight-year military intervention came to a rather ignominious end as the last United States combat forces withdrew from South Vietnam on March 29, 1973. Having already violated the ceasefire, the North Vietnamese—who had fought nearly 20 years to see their country united—seized the opportunity and launched a massive offensive. The southern capital, Saigon, quickly fell to communist forces in a 1975 offensive, which led more than a quarter-million people to flee the country. These final...
JAPAN Forward •

Japan and Vietnam: An Emerging Partnership in a Contested Region | JAPAN Forward

While traveling across northern Vietnam I kept seeing a particular store called Japanese Shop that primarily sold imported goods. Curious, I asked my friend, who then was guiding me through Hai Phong. He told me, “Japanese products are really popular in Vietnam right now.”
 
However, it’s not merely Japanese products, but Japan itself that is increasingly popular in this Southeast Asian country. Indeed, the luxury Osaka-based retailer, Takashimaya, opened a store in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) ba...
JAPAN Forward •

Are Racial Stereotypes of Japanese-Americans Alive? US Congressional Hearing Sparks Debate | JAPAN Forward

The subject of war-time internment of ethnic Japanese in the United States became a hot topic in the halls of the U.S. Congress again recently. During its March 15 hearing, when the House Committee on Natural Resources was considering President Donald Trump’s proposed 2019 budget, it was noted that the budget did not include continued funding for the Japanese American Confinement Sites (JACS) program.
 
 
The JACS program, which has spent more than US$21 million on research and preservation of t...
JAPAN Forward •

12 Things You Might Not Have Known About St. Patrick’s Day | JAPAN Forward

Earlier this month, alongside a flurry of announcements concerning the start of Tokyo’s cherry blossom season, the “biggest Irish event in Asia” was held in Yoyogi Park. The unabashedly named I Love Ireland Festival attracted over 100,000 visitors last year, marking what is becoming a rather unexpected annual tradition in Japan - St. Patrick’s Day.
 
The irony of covering this topic is not lost upon the author—check my name.
 
I attended the festival, which boasted Irish performers like Mundy—a...
JAPAN Forward •

A Day with Nagano’s Iconic Snow Monkeys | JAPAN Forward

Tokyo experienced its heaviest snowfall in four years in late January 2018. It brought travel chaos—halting train service in the megacity, while 250 international flights were canceled—and, on a lighter note, plenty of Instaworthy photos. However, heavy snowfall is common throughout much of Japan, especially the northernmost island of Hokkaido, which, for enthusiasts of winter sports, transforms into a paradise. Travelers often make a yearly pilgrimage to popular ski resorts like Niseko, Rusutsu...
JAPAN Forward •

Tastes of Mt. Fuji | JAPAN Forward

Tokyo is often considered a foodie’s paradise, with Japan’s capital having more Michelin-starred restaurants than any other city in the world. From the chaos of Tsukiji Market—where sushi of all types entice both locals and foreigners alike—to cozy izakaya serving yakitori, ramen shops, and vegetarian-friendly restaurants, there seems to be something for everybody. However, if one ventures out from the famous mega-city, they will experience many traditional Japanese foods that, while having less...
JAPAN Forward •

Nuclear Arsenal for Deterrence: JCPAC Highlights Japan’s Growing Security Challenges | JAPAN Forward

Many expected North Korea to conduct yet another missile test last December 17, the sixth anniversary of Kim Jong Il’s death. Such tests have, rather worryingly, become something of a regular occurrence for Japan, with a North Korean intermediate-range missile passing over Hokkaido in August and September.
 
Although no such test happened, the United States would accuse Pyongyang for the so-called “WannaCry” cyber-attacks that crippled hospitals, banks, and other companies across the globe earli...
The Daily Signal •

Could the Nicaragua Canal Project Bring Russia Back to Central America?

Following a unanimous vote in the National Assembly’s Infrastructure Committee, Nicaraguan officials have begun preparations for the so-called Interoceanic Grand Canal, which will connect to Lake Nicaragua by means of a 177.7 mile (286 km) waterway. President Daniel Ortega signed an agreement for the ambitious construction project with Hong Kong Nicaragua Canal Development Investment Company (HKND Group) on June 13, 2013. Demonstrating its growing influence in Latin America, Russia will be respo...
The Daily Signal •

Boko Haram: Nigeria’s Ongoing Insurgency

On November 28, the terrorist group Boko Haram attacked a mosque in Kano, a city in northern Nigeria, killing more than 100 people according to reports. The attack during Friday prayers is yet another reminder of Boko Haram’s violent insurgency. While Boko Haram has been active in Nigeria for years, the group catapulted to international notoriety last spring after Abubakar Shekau appeared in a video where he claimed responsibility for the abduction of 276 schoolgirls from the village of Chibok i...
The Daily Signal •

Those Who Confront Death

The Kurdish people are often described as the largest ethnic group in the world without a nation-state; nevertheless, they have greatly influenced regional events—most recently in combating the Islamic State (IS), which now controls large swaths of territory within Iraq and Syria. Historically a nomadic people, the Kurds (today numbering about 20–30 million) inhabit a mountainous region along the borders of Turkey, Iraq, Syria, Iran, and Armenia.
Under the brutal dictatorship of Saddam Hussein,...
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