Archives for December 2019

To take the scenic area in Tokyo to the level of excess awesomeness, Under plans for Shibuya’s redevelopment, various construction projects are taking place around the train station, including the Shibuya Sky Building. The tourist and youth heavy area is known for the iconic Shibuya Scramble (the crossing shown on literally any documentary about Japan) and the statue of … [Read more...] about Sky Building in Shibuya Will Give 230m High Rooftop View of Tokyo’s Famous Crossing

Before you travel to Japan, it pays to brush up on some cultural differences to avoid offending local sensibilities. Manners and social rules are not universal, and it’s easy to commit a gaffe if you’re not aware of their customs and conventions. The Japanese are relatively reserved and polite, so you probably won’t even realize you’re affronting anyone – but they’ll notice. … [Read more...] about 18 Things Not to Do in Japan

This August, Microsoft Japan took on an experiment, called the “Work-Life Choice Challenge Summer 2019” in which they trialed the 4-day work week for their entire workforce. Around 2300 employees were given five Fridays off with no reduction in salary and no days taken off of their annual leave. Naturally, the experiment proved to be a huge success with the increased … [Read more...] about Microsoft Japan Made a 4 Day Workweek Experiment, Noticed 40% Increased in Productivity

A 9-year-old boy in the Kansai region set a record by becoming the youngest student to pass a university-level mathematics test, the test organizer said Tuesday. Shogo Ando, a fourth grader in Nishinomiya, Hyogo Prefecture, passed Suken’s top-level 1st Kyu test, held in October by the Mathematics Certification Institute of Japan. Ando beat the previous record, set by Hiroto … [Read more...] about 9 Years Japanese Boy Becomes Youngest To Pass University Level Maths Exam

Have you ever been on a hiking trip and stopped only to appreciate the sounds of nature? The wind's sound, birds chirping, and rain dripping through leaves all combine to make an impressive wild orchestra. In 2012, Morihiro Harano and his group worked together with carpenter Mitsuo Tsuda, and sound engineer Kenjiro Matsuo, in order to create a giant xylophone elevated … [Read more...] about World’s Most incredible Sound Garden Becomes Reality in Japan

OK kids, did you remember to finish your homework, brush your teeth, and smash every pot in the village? As a parent, it’s your duty to make sure you teach your kids the right way to do things. The right way to talk. The right way to eat. And, of course, the right way to enjoy role-playing video games. OK, so maybe that last one is something that many parents negligently … [Read more...] about Japan’s Gamer Mom Wants Kid to Unlock the Achievement of Beating a Game Without Internet Guidelines