In Japan, there is an annual event in which the public votes on a kanji character to represent the year. Held at the end of the year, the event is meant to showcase Japan’s overall state, for better or worse. The kanji can summarize an event, mark a change in economic health, or celebrate a...

Within the heart of Tokyo, Japan’s largest metropolitan area, lies the Chuo district, a bustling downtown area that draws countless tourists every year. Within Chuo itself is Nihonbashi, a smaller section of Tokyo, most famous for its namesake landmark: the Nihonbashi Bridge.

A beloved Christmas tradition in the United States is watching the 1964 stop-motion TV special, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Although it feels thoroughly American, the studio that brought Rudolph to life was actually based in Japan.

Another year, another fantastic output of anime! 2025 was a phenomenal year for fans of anime, as both new series and established heavy hitters alike topped the charts and even broke a few records.

Like all sports, using a skateboard can be a mixed bag, depending on where you are in the world. In the US, skateboarding is widely accepted, with its existence and style being fully incorporated into everyday life, from cartoons and video games to music and fashion.

Since the dawn of broadcast television, commercials have been a staple of the medium. Sometimes helpful, sometimes funny, occasionally annoying, but always. However, Japanese commercials can be hilarious and memorable, with many iconic advertising campaigns.