Life in Japan くらし
Holidays, manners and the little things of daily life.
Life in Japan青切符Riding a Bike in Japan? The ‘Blue Ticket’ Rules Every Cyclist (and Tourist) Should Know
Since April 2026, cyclists 16 and over can be fined on the spot for using a phone, ignoring a red light or riding with an umbrella. The new rules, the fines, and the Japanese on the signs.
Life in Japan聖夜Fried Chicken, Strawberry Cake and Date Night: Why Christmas in Japan Looks So Different
Christmas lights are already going up across Japan. Here’s how a country where few people are Christian built its own Christmas — and the Japanese you’ll need to join in.
Life in Japan関西弁Kansai-ben 101: ‘Nande ya nen’, ‘Shiran kedo’ and Why Osaka Japanese Sounds So Fun
Japan’s most famous dialect just showed up in a teen hit song title. Learn the ten Kansai words that make Osaka Japanese sound warm, funny and impossible to ignore.
Life in Japan立冬Winter Starts This Saturday (Officially): 6 Japanese Words for November
Japan’s old calendar says winter begins on November 7. From 立冬 to 七五三 to the first hot pot of the season, here are the words that define the month — and when you’ll hear them.
Life in Japan文化の日It’s Culture Day: Why Japan Takes November 3 Off (and Why It Almost Never Rains)
Free museums, imperial medals and a weather legend. Today’s national holiday has a surprisingly dramatic backstory — here’s what Culture Day is really about.