Wagyu doesn’t have to be as mysterious and budget-busting as many people think it is. In Niigata, wagyu can be more accessible than you may have ever imagined.

. . . the story behind this unique form of theater and how a tiny island far from Tokyo became Japan’s preeminent center for Noh.

. . . an in-depth look at Pokélids in Niigata prefecture, and the creature that inspired them.

Navigating life after the JET Program can be difficult—especially when it comes to job hunting. Here are six essential resources to help get you pointed in the right direction.

. . . an interview with serval Type 1 Diabetics living in Japan about their lives and the struggles of living with a chronic condition abroad.

. . . an interview with the founder of Tay’s Teaching Toolkit, Tayler Payne.

. . . an interview with Becca Guttentag, video game localization producer with Riot Games, aka the woman responsible for making you feel like the video game you are playing was made for you—no matter what language you are playing in.

. . . an interview with Jennifer Sherman—localization editor and the force behind ensuring best selling manga in Japan becomes best sellers in the US too.

A look at Instagram sensation and miniature photographer Tatsuya Tanaka, and a review of his solo exhibit “MINIATURE LIFE 2 — Tatsya Tanaka’s World”.

. . . the story of hiking Japan’s most dangerous national treasure wearing only a pair of straw sandals to separate you from the edge of the cliff.

. . . an overview of the orange, autumn delicacy that is the persimmon. This introduction is followed by two recipes written by other authors but edited by Kimberly Matsuno.

. . . an introduction to “sansai,” the mountain vegetables that are the harbingers of spring in Japan.