Way back in 2008, Japanese people literally went bananas over a new diet centered around the yellow fruit. Dreamed up by a pharmacist in Osaka, within weeks of the Morning Banana Diet’s debut, sales …

posted by  banzaitokyo | 7 years, 1 month ago | 0 comments

Halfway between winter and spring equinox, the plum flowers will start to blossom across Japan. The 88th day of spring marks the first day of tea leaf picking for a new season, and the leaves of this…

posted by  banzaitokyo | 7 years, 1 month ago | 2 comments

When the bell rings after 4th period, it’s time for lunch.

I need to bring my brimming tray from the staffroom to the class I’m eating with today. A whirlwind of activity threatens my careful ascent …

posted by  banzaitokyo | 7 years, 2 months ago | 2 comments

To hear photographer Shoichi Aoki describe it, what killed Tokyo’s famous Harajuku style was basically what happens when a glut of factories set up shop at the head of a river that feeds vital waterw…

posted by  banzaitokyo | 7 years, 2 months ago | 1 comment

Members of the city's Bald Men Club took turns competing in a unique game of tug-of-war by sticking a suction cup, which is attached to a single red rope, to each of their heads. Both sides then atte…

posted by  banzaitokyo | 7 years, 2 months ago | 1 comment

The word "unique" is overused in marketing, but in this case seems appropriate: Volvo, Uber Eats, Dentsu, and former 'Iron Chef' commentator Yukio Hattori have come together to create a culinary expe…

posted by  banzaitokyo | 7 years, 2 months ago | 1 comment

With one of the world’s longest-living populations, it’s not much of a surprise that spending time in Japan can have a positive impact on your health. Although people’s bodies (and minds) do react di…

posted by  banzaitokyo | 7 years, 2 months ago | 1 comment

Ever wondered how quickly junior high school fashion changes in Japan?

Produced by mobile phone provider NTT Docomo, this music video a whirlwind tour of teenaged girl fashion through the ages in jus…

posted by  banzaitokyo | 7 years, 2 months ago | 0 comments

When I was first in Japan I was texting a female friend who was studying in the same class as me. I told her that I had a Japanese exam coming up. I was expecting a 頑張れ message but instead I got a sm…

posted by  banzaitokyo | 7 years, 2 months ago | 0 comments

I have seen news reports on increasing PM 2.5 levels in early spring, due to the winds that blow from the East carrying them from China. Is this a serious issue? Should we worry or take care?

posted by  Yubi | 7 years, 2 months ago | 3 comments