Deeper Views
Dive further into Japanese culture.
Join our team of culture editors in exploring deeper connections between Japan’s art, culture, and history.
Latest
More than Matcha:
Understanding Japanese Tea
While matcha might catch the most attention these days, there’s a greater variety of Japanese tea to explore.
Your Guide to Autumn in Japan 2025
Seasonal Guide
Discover the best ways to travel Japan in autumn, from momiji maple views to hiking through Japan’s most iconic outdoor scenery.
Featured
The War on Geisha: Identity in the Face of Tradition
The complex struggle of geisha to preserve their traditional identity while adapting to the pressures of modernity, Western influence, and societal misconceptions.
More entries from
Deeper Views
The Shogun's City: How Old Edo Shaped Modern Tokyo
Despite the neon modernity of modern Tokyo, its roots as an ancient castle town lie preserved in the very structure of the city existing today.
Umetatechi, the 850-Year-Old Japanese Practice of Expanding into the Sea
Japan’s centuries-long practice of land reclamation, umetatechi has profoundly reshaped its cities—from medieval ports to modern megaprojects—bringing both growth and seismic challenges.
From Alleyway Kitchens to Avant-Garde: Japanese Ramen Through The Years
An iconic dish packed with powerful flavor, ramen’s road to becoming classic Japanese cuisine is filled with history—and it continues to evolve both new traditions and new tastes.
Japan’s Department Stores: Trendsetters in Taste & Art
Incorporating art into their business structure since conception, Japanese department stores provide more than a place to shop: they act as a space for shaping cultural trends and art aesthetics for all walks of Japanese society.
The Inked Pages of Japan: A History of Manga
From ancient scrolls to post-war comic creations, the origins of manga have existed in Japan since far before their modern publications.
Lucky Cats and a Daimyo Dethroned at Gotokuji Temple
The story of Tokyo’s Gotokuji Temple, the samurai family whose fate it was intertwined with, and the lucky maneki neko cats there for every step of the way.
The Legacy of Edo's Street Vendors
An indigenous way of life in northern Japan is threatened by modern changes, yet continues to preserve ancient bear-hunting traditions in harmony with nature.
The Untold History of Women in Sake Brewing
From once occupying a pivotal role in sake production to being barred from setting foot into breweries where they once worked, women in sake have experienced a fluctuating past.
Sacred Springs, Samurai Spas, and the Evolution of Onsen in Japan
With a history almost as old as Japan itself, onsen hot spring culture in Japan has evolved with the times, from eras of emperors and samurai soldiers to those of popular travel destination.
The Shamisen, the Resonance of Traditional Japan
Rooted in ancient tradition, the shamisen continues to resonate in modern Japan, its distinct sound and versatility allowing it to blend seamlessly into contemporary music and visual media.
The Evolution of Wagasa Imagery in Modern Media
How wagasa have stood the test of time and transformed into a true cultural and artistic icon.
Seasons in Verse: The Poetic Significance of Wafu Getsumei in Haiku
Japan’s seasons flow like poetry, each moment captured in kigo—seasonal words in haiku. Discover how imagery captures the essence of each microseason.
The Armor of a Samurai: Exploring the Craftsmanship and History of Japanese O-yoroi
The iconic armor of samurai: crafted as much for intimidation as for protection, these masterpieces of design and engineering reflect the warrior's status, identity, and the artistry of their era.
The Chashi: Symbols of Commerce and Conflict in Japan's Frontier North
The rich history of chashi, ancient Ainu fortresses that shaped Hokkaido's cultural landscape, and their unique role in diplomacy and defense during an era of expansion and discord.
The Creation of Coffee Culture & Modern Japan
The formation of Japan as a modern nation included many changes to culture and society - including the introduction of coffee into everyday Japanese life.
Embracing Ephemera: “Mono no aware” in the Modern Shin-Hanga Movement
How the Japanese culture of “mottainai” and its religious traces connect to modern issues of food consumption and waste in Japan.
Tomitaro Makino: Grafting Western Science with Japan's Natural World
Tomitaro Makino’s passion for plants reflects Japan’s enduring reverence for nature—where science, art, and spirituality intertwine in a centuries-old cultural harmony.
Unsheathing Bushido and Gender: The Female Samurai Warriors of Aizu
In the quiet valor of Takeko Nakano and the joshitai, bushido reveals itself not as masculinity, but as a timeless, genderless code of life.
The War on Geisha: Identity in the Face of Tradition, Modernity, and the West
The complex struggle of geisha to preserve their traditional identity while adapting to the pressures of modernity, Western influence, and societal misconceptions.
