The opening ceremony of the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics takes place this Friday, February 6, with some competitions starting a couple of days earlier. In preparation for the event, we thought w
In Japan, the word juken carries an emotional gravity that’s hard to translate. More than just the taking of an exam, the term implies preparation, sacrifice, endurance — and, for many children, the f
In this week’s news roundup we report on the Arakurayama Sengen Park Cherry Blossom Festival, which is being canceled due to unruly tourists. We also have the latest on the Lower House election and th
Ramen Nishiki Sui has a very fitting name. You could make an argument that ramen has passed up sushi as Japanese cuisine’s representative dish, and matcha green tea has long been the beverage with the
Winter in Japan may be long and cold but that doesn’t mean your family won’t survive. Bundle up, get cozy and try these fun activities to keep the frost at bay.
PokéPark Kanto, the first-ever permanent outdoor Pokemon theme park, had its long-awaited grand opening on February 5. “The 27th of this month marks exactly 30 years since Pokemon was born into the w
A big win would eliminate the need for Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to negotiate with opposition parties, who are touting even deeper tax cuts and broader fiscal spending.
Leaders of a new Japanese political party unveil a logo that features China, a candidate campaigns in freezing weather wearing tank tops and grannies vent in public — or do they?
Check out our monthly event roundup for Osaka for February 2026.
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