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VOYAPON •

From Osaka to Everywhere: How Mister Donut Won Over Japan

Only 30 minutes north of central Osaka, Minoh (also spelled Mino or Mino-o) is the kind of place that makes you forget you’re near one of Japan’s largest cities. Home to Minoh Falls, a 33-meter-high waterfall in one of Japan’s oldest (and smallest) quasi-national parks, the area has long been a favorite weekend escape for Osakans. But, Minoh also carries another somewhat unexpected claim to fame: it’s the birthplace of Japan’s donut obsession. In 1971, the very first Mister Donut opened its door...
VOYAPON •

Shibamata: Exploring Tokyo's Time Capsule

Located in the far northeast of Tokyo, along the Edo River which marks the border with Chiba Prefecture, you’ll find Shibamata. A town unlike many others, where Tokyo’s Showa-era charm is still part of daily life. From its centuries-old temple to a shopping street lined with local vendors and cafés, Shibamata offers something rare in a city obsessed with innovation: continuity. For film buffs, there’s even an entire museum dedicated to Otoko wa Tsurai yo — a long-running Japanese film series...
VOYAPON •

Fussa: Little America in Tokyo

Hidden away in Western Tokyo, a large area that once formed the northern part of Kanagawa Prefecture, Fussa might not be the first place that comes to mind when planning a day trip. Known for its quiet residential neighborhoods, the city, however, offers something you really can’t find anywhere else in Tokyo: a glimpse of retro Americana. Up and down National Route 16 (aka Fussa Base Side Street), you’ll find everything from antiques and vintage clothing to New York-style bagels and classic Amer...
Tokyo Weekender •

The Top 5 Shotengai Shopping Streets in Tokyo

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

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

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...
JAPAN Forward •

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

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 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

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 •

Can China Keep Up As Southeast Asia Diversifies Ties?

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?

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

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

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

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

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...
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