Culture
Dive into the world of culture! Explore the traditions, festivals, and artistic expressions of different cultures around the globe. Learn about cultural insights, art, and heritage in our Culture category.
Confronting Chikan: The Realities of Train Groping in Japan and Modern Defense Measures
The efficiency of Japan’s railway network is celebrated worldwide. Trains run precisely to the second, commuters move in silent, disciplined rivers, and station attendants handle millions of souls daily with practiced grace. Yet, underneath this veneer of hyper-modern civil structure lies a persistent, deeply distressing crisis that has plagued the nation for decades: chikan (public…
ぶつかり男 (Butsukari-otoko): The Reality of Deliberate Bumping in Japan
If you live in Japan long enough, you eventually notice behaviors that visitors rarely see. One of them is called ぶつかり男 (butsukari-otoko). The term literally means “bumping man” and refers to men who deliberately collide with others in public spaces. It is not an official legal term, but it is widely used in Japanese media…
Gold, Shadows, and Digital Dreams: A Deep Dive into THE MOVEUM YOKOHAMA’s Immersive Vienna Secession Exhibit
The port city of Yokohama has always been Japan’s gateway to the West—a place where Victorian bricks meet Pacific tides. Today, that legacy of cultural fusion takes a quantum leap forward at THE MOVEUM YOKOHAMA. Located at the historic Yamashita Pier, this venue occupies a space that has recently become legendary among travelers. Situated exactly…
The Great Fire Horse: When Astrology Shook a Nation
The intersection of astrology, tradition, and demographic reality rarely leaves a measurable mark on a nation’s history. Yet Japan’s Year of the Fire Horse (Hinoe-uma) is one of the few examples where a cultural belief became powerful enough to alter birth statistics on a national scale. As 2026 marks the return of the Fire Horse…
Shinagawa Shukuba Matsuri: Rediscovering Edo in Modern Tokyo
Every autumn, I see headlines about Tokyo’s massive, crowded festivals, but for my first visit to the Shinagawa Shukuba Matsuri, I discovered something much more intimate. Held on the last weekend of September, this event doesn’t just put on a show; it breathes life back into the Old Tokaido Road, transforming a local neighborhood into…
Sumidagawa Fireworks Festival: How to Enjoy Tokyo’s Biggest Summer Event Without the Crowds
As the summer heat settles over Tokyo, something magical begins to happen across the city: the skies start to come alive with brilliant flashes of light, color, and sound. Fireworks festivals—known in Japanese as hanabi taikai—are more than just a spectacle. They are deeply woven into the culture, evoking nostalgia, celebration, and community. Among these…
6 Hours in Florence: A Walking Tour for Your Layover
If you’ve got a few hours in Florence between trains, you can see far more of the city than you’d think, and without dragging your luggage across cobblestones the whole time. We had roughly six to seven hours here while waiting for our connecting train to Rome, and rather than sit it out at the…
The Ultimate Guide to Fireworks Festivals in Tokyo Area 2026
As a Swiss expat living in Tokyo for over two years, I’ve watched the city trade its fast-paced routine for a joyful, communal rhythm every summer. Back home in Switzerland, fireworks displays have become much less frequent due to environmental and noise regulations. In Tokyo, however, the tradition is thriving, and it has become one…
Tuscany Itinerary – Wine, Culture & Culinary Adventures from San Gimignano to Volterra
There’s no better way to celebrate a milestone than with sunshine, good food, and great company in one of the most charming regions on earth. Our Tuscany itinerary was built around my aunt’s 60th birthday and turned into a weeklong journey through medieval towns, coastal wine regions, and culinary highlights. From wine tastings at some…
One Day in Rome on Foot: My Self-Guided Walking Route from Colosseum to Vatican
Can you really see Rome in one day on foot? We wondered the same thing before we tried it, and the answer is yes, if you walk it in the right order. Last spring we set out from near Termini just after sunrise and traced a single, mostly flat route through the city’s greatest hits:…