Koh’s Tokyo Dialogue

You might know that Japanese pop culture shows up in anime , fashion, or tech—but did you ever notice it in  Western pop songs ? From iconic chants like  “ Domo arigato, Mr. Roboto ”  to full Japanese choruses by Queen , Japanese words have quietly (and sometimes loudly) made their way into English-language music. Sometimes it’s a nod of respect, other times just for the vibe—but either way, it’s always a little surprising. Here’s a lighthearted look at some memorable songs where Japanese sneaks into the lyrics—sometimes clearly, sometimes in disguise. John Lennon – “Aisumasen (I’m Sorry)” (1973) Japanese phrase:   あいすいません  ( aisuimasen ) —  “I’m sorry” The title of this heartfelt ballad is a stylized version of the Japanese word  “sumimasen”  ( すみません ), which can mean “I’m sorry” or “excuse me.” Lennon sings “Aisumasen” as a sincere, if slightly playful, apology—likely influenced by his deepening relationship with Yoko Ono and exposure to Japane...

Tokyo is often called the global capital of anime and manga . Among the many neighborhoods that embrace otaku culture , three districts stand out as “ holy grounds ” ( 聖地 seichi ): Akihabara , Ikebukuro , and Nakano . They’re all worth a visit—but here’s what most tourists don’t realize: To Japanese fans, these places feel completely different. Sure, you’ll find Naruto and Demon Slayer figures in all of them—but don’t be fooled. They may look similar on the surface, but each has its own weird and wonderful flavor. How someone talks about them often reveals their personality as a fan. So if you want to sound like a real otaku insider (and maybe make your Japanese friends laugh), here’s the local take on Tokyo’s anime trinity. Akihabara – “Well, you have to go there, right?” Akihabara ( 秋葉原 / A-ki-ha-ba-ra) is the global face of otaku culture. It began as an electronics district and still carries that legacy today. Even now, tucked between flashy anime billb...

  Have you ever been reading a Japanese manga, only to be surprised when the story suddenly shifts direction, gets dragged out unnecessarily, or even contradicts itself? This might be due to Japan’s unique manga culture of  weekly serialization . The Intense Pressure of Weekly Serialization Many of Japan’s most famous shonen (boys’) manga have been serialized in weekly magazines such as  Weekly Shonen Jump ,  Weekly Shonen Magazine ,  Weekly Shonen Sunday , and  Weekly Shonen Champion . For manga artists, the pressure is incredibly intense. It’s not just about meeting deadlines.  Reader surveys  determine a manga’s fate. If a series drops in popularity, it can be canceled almost instantly. This kind of pressure has led to artists collapsing from exhaustion—and some even vanishing from public view. The Harsh Reality of Survey-Driven Survival During the golden age of  Shonen Jump ,  over 10 million copies were sold every week . Popular tit...

SOBAGIRI RAKUJYO In Japan, there’s a curious and often heartwarming trend. After years of commuting, overtime, and corporate life, some Japanese salarymen retire and suddenly… take up soba-making by hand. Their friends chuckle. Their kids roll their eyes. “Seriously? Dad’s becoming a soba chef now?” But behind the jokes lies something very real: the quiet joy of working with your hands, and the meditative rhythm of turning buckwheat flour into something deeply nourishing. What Is Soba? Soba noodles are thin, light noodles made mainly from buckwheat flour, often mixed with a bit of wheat flour for elasticity. A common blend is 80% buckwheat and 20% wheat, known in Japan as ni-hachi soba . Soba lovers often debate the ideal flour ratio like wine lovers debate grape blends. You can eat soba hot in a savory broth or cold with dipping sauce — it's enjoyed all year but plays an especially symbolic role on New Year’s Eve, when toshikoshi soba is eaten to mark the transition to th...

Jomon flame-style pottery, 3,000 BC, excavated at the Iwanohara site, Niigata Prefecture Japan’s history is anything but boring. It’s a sweeping saga that stretches from prehistoric hunter-gatherers and mythic emperors to samurai wars, shogun rule, world wars, and global pop-culture domination. Whether you're a traveler, a history buff, or just curious, here’s your express crash course through the ages.  Ancient Beginnings (c. 14,000 BCE – 538 CE) Japan’s human story begins with the Jomon period (c. 14,000–300 BCE), a time when people lived in small, semi-nomadic communities. They hunted wild animals, gathered plants, and created some of the oldest known pottery in the world —elegant clay vessels with rope-like patterns that still inspire modern designs. In the Yayoi period (c. 300 BCE–250 CE), dramatic change arrived from the Asian mainland. Migrants from Korea and China brought rice farming , metal tools , and new social structures . This shift to settled agriculture laid the g...

If you’ve just arrived in Tokyo and go for a walk, you might do a double-take. No, your eyes aren’t deceiving you—that bike really is coming at you on the sidewalk. And yes, that other one just zoomed past against traffic in the street. Welcome to Tokyo’s unique cycling culture. For many visitors, this can feel disorienting. Pedestrians are constantly weaving around bikes, and the usual rules of the road seem oddly optional. You might wonder: is this normal? And, surprisingly, the answer is yes—in a way that only Tokyo can make sense of. What the Law Actually Says: Bicycles Are Vehicles What surprises many visitors is that Japan ’s traffic laws are actually quite strict about bicycles. Legally speaking, bikes are classified as vehicles. That means cyclists are supposed to ride on the road, with traffic, just like cars. Sidewalk riding is only permitted in specific cases—such as for children under 13, seniors, or when signs allow it. And yet, in practice, bicycles are everywhere: ...

When it comes to Japanese ramen, variety is endless. From light shoyu (soy sauce) to rich tonkotsu (pork bone), ramen lovers are spoiled for choice. But one style turns everything up to 11: back fat ramen . What Is Back Fat (Se-abura)? " Se-abura " means pork back fat—soft, flavorful fat taken from the pig’s back, chopped into tiny pieces, and generously sprinkled over ramen. Sometimes it completely covers the surface like a snowy white layer , keeping the soup hot and adding a deep, sweet richness. This style is especially famous in Niigata and parts of Tokyo , where it’s known for its bold, greasy charm. It’s not for the faint of heart—but if you’re into extreme food culture, it’s a must-try. Cha-Cha Style Ramen: A Tokyo Legend in Asakusa One unforgettable variation is the cha-cha style ramen, named after the “cha-cha” sound the chef makes while shaking pork fat through a strainer over the bowl. And in Tokyo, no place does it quite like Benkei in Asakusa . Since t...