It must be a public bath miracle. Just last week we wrote about how rare it was to see a sento open instead of close, or be converted into a cafe. Now it’s happened again. Rather than bending to the …

posted by  banzaitokyo | 4 years, 9 months ago | 0 comments

Every two years the JPDA (Japan Packaging Design Association) celebrates excellence in packaging design by hosting the Japan Packaging Design Awards. The winners of the 2021 Awards were just announce…

posted by  banzaitokyo | 4 years, 9 months ago | 0 comments

These days, there’s no shortage of face mask options – you can find a mask online to match your style, face shape or even your mood. If you prefer to purchase your face coverings in person, Tokyo has…

posted by  banzaitokyo | 4 years, 9 months ago | 0 comments

We’re all missing travel these days — getting to explore new places, see new sights and try new foods. Good thing there’s a wealth of subscription boxes that bring the best of Japan to you. So whethe…

posted by  banzaitokyo | 4 years, 9 months ago | 0 comments

Since it was founded 135 years ago, Tokyo Wagakki has come to dominate Japan’s shamisen scene, accounting for more than half of all the instruments produced in the country. But the market is shrinkin…

posted by  banzaitokyo | 4 years, 9 months ago | 0 comments

The travel business isn't exactly booming at the moment thanks to the social distancing and safety protocol necessary to deal with the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). So as you can imagin…

posted by  banzaitokyo | 4 years, 9 months ago | 0 comments

The face of one of Tokyo’s most famous crossings continues to change. The West corner of Jingumae Crossing has largely remained unchanged for the past 50 years. But when the iconic Condomania relocat…

posted by  banzaitokyo | 4 years, 9 months ago | 0 comments

Japanese work culture can be many things: diplomatic, hierarchical, conformist, machine-like, even suffocating. Globally, Japan is known for its hard-working salarymen who work long hours for recogni…

posted by  banzaitokyo | 4 years, 10 months ago | 0 comments

More than half of yakuza are now over 50 - and 10% are over 70 - as a result of an ageing population and police crackdowns

Adouble-whammy of skewed demographics and legal crackdowns has forced Japan’…

posted by  banzaitokyo | 4 years, 10 months ago | 0 comments

Mixed reality goggles are being introduced into workplaces in order to give long-distance technical guidance and hold remote conferences amid the coronavirus pandemic, but still face challenges such …

posted by  banzaitokyo | 4 years, 10 months ago | 0 comments