Culture
Book Review: “An I-Novel” by Minae Mizumura (Translated by Juliet Winters Carpenter)
A bilingual meditation on navigating belonging in isolation
The Best Japanese Mystery Novels to Read
Honkaku, thrillers and crime sagas — Japan’s got it all
Tokyo Neighborhood Guide: Thrifting in Shimokitazawa
Where to start your secondhand journey in Tokyo’s thrift city
LGBTQ+ Anime That Strive To Get It Right
No heavy-handed yaoi or male-gaze pandering yuri here
Does Japan Celebrate Chinese New Year?
Welcoming the year of the horse on February 17
Tokyo Trends: Spring 2026
Where urban edge meets delicate detail
10 Must-Read Japanese Novels Set for Release in 2026
Read ahead of the flow by picking up these translated masterpieces as they hit global bookstore shelves
Yuji Nishida’s Apology: The Final Boss of Japanese Politeness
The sincerest bow the internet has ever seen
The Best Japanese Films for Beginners Learning Japanese
Why children’s stories and quiet domestic life work better than reading textbooks will
Tokyo Music Scene: New Releases February 2026
Your monthly dose of new music from Japan