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<title>Konnichiwa Today &#45; : LIFESTYLE</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/rss/category/lifestyle</link>
<description>Konnichiwa Today &#45; : LIFESTYLE</description>
<dc:language>en</dc:language>
<dc:rights>Copyright 2025 Konnichiwa Today News &#45; All Rights Reserved.</dc:rights>

<item>
<title>Short vignette stories of everyday life as a &amp;apos;hafu&amp;apos; in Japan</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/short-vignette-stories-of-everyday-life-as-a-hafu-in-japan</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/short-vignette-stories-of-everyday-life-as-a-hafu-in-japan</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Following on from my hafu article series, this piece shares my personal experience as a hafu woman in her early 30s living in Japan. While others may have different… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 01 May 2026 15:07:09 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Short, vignette, stories, everyday, life, hafu, Japan</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Following on from my hafu article series, this piece shares my personal experience as a hafu woman in her early 30s living in Japan. While others may have different…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Visiting Tokyo’s newest unmanned Self Cafe in Shibuya</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/visiting-tokyos-newest-unmanned-self-cafe-in-shibuya</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/visiting-tokyos-newest-unmanned-self-cafe-in-shibuya</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ While cafes are fantastic places to call in on your day off for a light meal while you’re doing your errands, many people also like to use them… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 30 Apr 2026 15:03:11 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Visiting, Tokyo’s, newest, unmanned, Self, Cafe, Shibuya</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[While cafes are fantastic places to call in on your day off for a light meal while you’re doing your errands, many people also like to use them…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Kanazawa’s last bamboo calligraphy brush craftsman has no successor</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/kanazawas-last-bamboo-calligraphy-brush-craftsman-has-no-successor</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/kanazawas-last-bamboo-calligraphy-brush-craftsman-has-no-successor</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ In a quiet workshop in Kanazawa, one of the world’s last bamboo calligraphy brush craftsmen continues a tradition that has nearly disappeared.
Unlike most brushes made from animal… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 29 Apr 2026 15:07:07 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Kanazawa’s, last, bamboo, calligraphy, brush, craftsman, has, successor</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[In a quiet workshop in Kanazawa, one of the world’s last bamboo calligraphy brush craftsmen continues a tradition that has nearly disappeared.
Unlike most brushes made from animal…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Japan awakens to Radio Taiso exercise tradition</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-awakens-to-radio-taiso-exercise-tradition</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-awakens-to-radio-taiso-exercise-tradition</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ This is how Japan wakes up. It&#039;s called Radio Taiso — Exercise Radio in English — a simple yet dynamic way to start the day.
Japanese radio plays… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 28 Apr 2026 15:02:06 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, awakens, Radio, Taiso, exercise, tradition</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[This is how Japan wakes up. It's called Radio Taiso — Exercise Radio in English — a simple yet dynamic way to start the day.
Japanese radio plays…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Japan wig masters set kabuki stage alive</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-wig-masters-set-kabuki-stage-alive</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-wig-masters-set-kabuki-stage-alive</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Every actor in kabuki -- a traditional Japanese performing art celebrated for its striking makeup and elaborate costumes -- relies on one final, essential element to fully inhabit… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 27 Apr 2026 15:06:10 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, wig, masters, set, kabuki, stage, alive</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Every actor in kabuki -- a traditional Japanese performing art celebrated for its striking makeup and elaborate costumes -- relies on one final, essential element to fully inhabit…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Japan will pay you ¥20,000 to use dating apps</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-will-pay-you-20000-to-use-dating-apps</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-will-pay-you-20000-to-use-dating-apps</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ If you’ve seen headlines claiming that “Japan will pay you to use Tinder,” you can relax — no one is wiring you money to swipe right. And even… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sun, 26 Apr 2026 15:02:07 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, will, pay, you, ¥20, 000, use, dating, apps</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[If you’ve seen headlines claiming that “Japan will pay you to use Tinder,” you can relax — no one is wiring you money to swipe right. And even…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>One month phone&#45;free: Young Americans try digital detox</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/one-month-phone-free-young-americans-try-digital-detox</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/one-month-phone-free-young-americans-try-digital-detox</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Getting around without Google Maps. No longer scrolling Instagram at the bus stop. Ditching your headphones to hear the birds sing.
In March, a group of 20- and… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sat, 25 Apr 2026 15:06:08 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>One, month, phone-free:, Young, Americans, try, digital, detox</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Getting around without Google Maps. No longer scrolling Instagram at the bus stop. Ditching your headphones to hear the birds sing.
In March, a group of 20- and…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Immerse yourself in TeamLab Yoro Valley’s outdoor nighttime art exhibition in Chiba’s wilderness</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/immerse-yourself-in-teamlab-yoro-valleys-outdoor-nighttime-art-exhibition-in-chibas-wilderness</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/immerse-yourself-in-teamlab-yoro-valleys-outdoor-nighttime-art-exhibition-in-chibas-wilderness</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The town of Otaki, Chiba Prefecture, is an area known for its unspoiled forest, the Isumi and Yoro Rivers, hot springs, and rock faces, all located centrally within the… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 24 Apr 2026 15:02:09 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Immerse, yourself, TeamLab, Yoro, Valley’s, outdoor, nighttime, art, exhibition, Chiba’s, wilderness</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[The town of Otaki, Chiba Prefecture, is an area known for its unspoiled forest, the Isumi and Yoro Rivers, hot springs, and rock faces, all located centrally within the…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Japan’s 5.3 million Nemophila flowers now in full bloom</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japans-53-million-nemophila-flowers-now-in-full-bloom</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japans-53-million-nemophila-flowers-now-in-full-bloom</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Sakura season may be pretty much over and done with, but that just means it’s time for Japan’s other varieties of flowering flora to get their moments in the… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 23 Apr 2026 15:06:07 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan’s, 5.3, million, Nemophila, flowers, now, full, bloom</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Sakura season may be pretty much over and done with, but that just means it’s time for Japan’s other varieties of flowering flora to get their moments in the…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Overtourism in Japan: Can tourists help fix it?</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/overtourism-in-japan-can-tourists-help-fix-it</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/overtourism-in-japan-can-tourists-help-fix-it</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ I was a tourist in Japan long before I moved here. Unfortunately, this hasn’t made me immune to being a bit of a snob towards other tourists. I… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 22 Apr 2026 15:02:08 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Overtourism, Japan:, Can, tourists, help, fix, it</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[I was a tourist in Japan long before I moved here. Unfortunately, this hasn’t made me immune to being a bit of a snob towards other tourists. I…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>To make hosting less stressful, strive for connection and not perfection</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/to-make-hosting-less-stressful-strive-for-connection-and-not-perfection</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/to-make-hosting-less-stressful-strive-for-connection-and-not-perfection</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Inviting friends and family members over for a celebration, holiday or routine dinner provides an opportunity for connection, but pressure to serve good-tasting food in a clean and… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 21 Apr 2026 15:06:10 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>make, hosting, less, stressful, strive, for, connection, and, not, perfection</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Inviting friends and family members over for a celebration, holiday or routine dinner provides an opportunity for connection, but pressure to serve good-tasting food in a clean and…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Turn a rainy forecast into a blast at the Naruto &amp;amp; Boruto Ninja Village May Rain Festival 2026</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/turn-a-rainy-forecast-into-a-blast-at-the-naruto-boruto-ninja-village-may-rain-festival-2026</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/turn-a-rainy-forecast-into-a-blast-at-the-naruto-boruto-ninja-village-may-rain-festival-2026</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Anime theme park Nijigen no Mori in Awaji, Hyogo Prefecture, which is largely outdoors, may not be the kind of place you think of visiting when the weather’s not looking… ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://media.japantoday.com/img/store/26/a4/050f26efd731092c27d6018a6bc30f985b37/screenshot-2026-04-15-at-16-40-08/_w1700.png" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Mon, 20 Apr 2026 15:02:09 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Turn, rainy, forecast, into, blast, the, Naruto, Boruto, Ninja, Village, May, Rain, Festival, 2026</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Anime theme park Nijigen no Mori in Awaji, Hyogo Prefecture, which is largely outdoors, may not be the kind of place you think of visiting when the weather’s not looking…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>It’s right under your nose – why some people can’t find things in plain sight</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/its-right-under-your-nose-why-some-people-cant-find-things-in-plain-sight</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/its-right-under-your-nose-why-some-people-cant-find-things-in-plain-sight</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Many households will recognize this familiar exchange. One person insists an object simply isn’t there: impossible to find despite what they describe as a thorough and highly competent… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sun, 19 Apr 2026 15:06:07 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>It’s, right, under, your, nose, –, why, some, people, can’t, find, things, plain, sight</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Many households will recognize this familiar exchange. One person insists an object simply isn’t there: impossible to find despite what they describe as a thorough and highly competent…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Plastic garden gear can add microplastics to the soil. Here are some alternatives</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/plastic-garden-gear-can-add-microplastics-to-the-soil-here-are-some-alternatives</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/plastic-garden-gear-can-add-microplastics-to-the-soil-here-are-some-alternatives</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ It’s seed-starting and planting season, and that means it’s likely buying season. This year, consider not only the gardening gear and plants you bring home, but also whether… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 15:02:08 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Plastic, garden, gear, can, add, microplastics, the, soil., Here, are, some, alternatives</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[It’s seed-starting and planting season, and that means it’s likely buying season. This year, consider not only the gardening gear and plants you bring home, but also whether…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>&amp;apos;Listening bars&amp;apos; bloom as hottest new nightlife trend</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/listening-bars-bloom-as-hottest-new-nightlife-trend</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/listening-bars-bloom-as-hottest-new-nightlife-trend</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Not quite like a gig or going clubbing, but there&#039;s a new night out spreading in cities around the world: an evening at a &quot;listening bar&quot;.
An increasing… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 17 Apr 2026 15:06:07 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Listening, bars, bloom, hottest, new, nightlife, trend</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Not quite like a gig or going clubbing, but there's a new night out spreading in cities around the world: an evening at a "listening bar".
An increasing…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>AI companions can give constant support – but distort ideas about what a relationship really is</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/ai-companions-can-give-constant-support-but-distort-ideas-about-what-a-relationship-really-is</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/ai-companions-can-give-constant-support-but-distort-ideas-about-what-a-relationship-really-is</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ When the movie “Her” debuted in 2013, its plot felt like science fiction. The protagonist, Theodore, is a jaded man with no vigor for life. He comes alive… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 16 Apr 2026 15:02:08 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>companions, can, give, constant, support, –, but, distort, ideas, about, what, relationship, really</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[When the movie “Her” debuted in 2013, its plot felt like science fiction. The protagonist, Theodore, is a jaded man with no vigor for life. He comes alive…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Japanese government wants overseas anime market to roughly triple in 10 years</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japanese-government-wants-overseas-anime-market-to-roughly-triple-in-10-years</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japanese-government-wants-overseas-anime-market-to-roughly-triple-in-10-years</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Japanese pop culture is more popular outside Japan than it’s ever previously been, with Japanese entertainment franchises having established passionate fanbases around the globe and even people outside… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 15 Apr 2026 15:06:09 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japanese, government, wants, overseas, anime, market, roughly, triple, years</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Japanese pop culture is more popular outside Japan than it’s ever previously been, with Japanese entertainment franchises having established passionate fanbases around the globe and even people outside…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Kichijoji: Tokyo’s most livable neighborhood</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/kichijoji-tokyos-most-livable-neighborhood</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/kichijoji-tokyos-most-livable-neighborhood</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ In Kichijoji, the moment your feet touch the ground, you’re within walking distance of any place you can imagine. Located in Musashino City in Western Tokyo, Kichijoji hosts… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 14 Apr 2026 15:02:07 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Kichijoji:, Tokyo’s, most, livable, neighborhood</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[In Kichijoji, the moment your feet touch the ground, you’re within walking distance of any place you can imagine. Located in Musashino City in Western Tokyo, Kichijoji hosts…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Schoolkids learn life skills through shopping field trips at street markets in Kochi Prefecture</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/schoolkids-learn-life-skills-through-shopping-field-trips-at-street-markets-in-kochi-prefecture</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/schoolkids-learn-life-skills-through-shopping-field-trips-at-street-markets-in-kochi-prefecture</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Kochi City, the capital of Kochi Prefecture, has a local custom where shop vendors set up shop on various streets on different days of the week. While the Sunday… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sun, 12 Apr 2026 15:02:08 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Schoolkids, learn, life, skills, through, shopping, field, trips, street, markets, Kochi, Prefecture</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Kochi City, the capital of Kochi Prefecture, has a local custom where shop vendors set up shop on various streets on different days of the week. While the Sunday…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>You aren&amp;apos;t the only one who just sits in the car before or after a long day</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/you-arent-the-only-one-who-just-sits-in-the-car-before-or-after-a-long-day</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/you-arent-the-only-one-who-just-sits-in-the-car-before-or-after-a-long-day</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Have you ever pulled into the driveway of your home or a parking lot spot and just ... stayed there?
Maybe it’s a few minutes, or half an… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sat, 11 Apr 2026 15:06:07 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>You, arent, the, only, one, who, just, sits, the, car, before, after, long, day</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Have you ever pulled into the driveway of your home or a parking lot spot and just ... stayed there?
Maybe it’s a few minutes, or half an…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Eight states, three time zones and a ton of history: Take a trip down Route 66 as it turns 100</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/eight-states-three-time-zones-and-a-ton-of-history-take-a-trip-down-route-66-as-it-turns-100</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/eight-states-three-time-zones-and-a-ton-of-history-take-a-trip-down-route-66-as-it-turns-100</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ If you’ve ever planned to motor west and take the highway that’s the best, this might be time: Route 66 turns 100 this year.
Route 66, which runs… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 10 Apr 2026 15:02:07 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Eight, states, three, time, zones, and, ton, history:, Take, trip, down, Route, turns, 100</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[If you’ve ever planned to motor west and take the highway that’s the best, this might be time: Route 66 turns 100 this year.
Route 66, which runs…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Famous koi ponds overwhelmed with tourists throwing thousands of coins in them</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/famous-koi-ponds-overwhelmed-with-tourists-throwing-thousands-of-coins-in-them</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/famous-koi-ponds-overwhelmed-with-tourists-throwing-thousands-of-coins-in-them</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Oshino Hakkai is an idyllic spot nestled in the Fuji Five Lakes region of Yamanashi Prefecture. Traditional thatched-roof buildings are scattered among eight pristine spring-fed ponds. Combined with a… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 09 Apr 2026 15:06:06 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Famous, koi, ponds, overwhelmed, with, tourists, throwing, thousands, coins, them</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Oshino Hakkai is an idyllic spot nestled in the Fuji Five Lakes region of Yamanashi Prefecture. Traditional thatched-roof buildings are scattered among eight pristine spring-fed ponds. Combined with a…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Japan&amp;apos;s plus&#45;size industry holds strong despite weight stigma, rise of AI</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japans-plus-size-industry-holds-strong-despite-weight-stigma-rise-of-ai</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japans-plus-size-industry-holds-strong-despite-weight-stigma-rise-of-ai</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The body positivity movement may have cooled since its 2010s peak, but Japan&#039;s plus-size industry remains resilient thanks to tight-knit communities, even as weight stigma lingers and artificial… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 08 Apr 2026 15:02:09 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japans, plus-size, industry, holds, strong, despite, weight, stigma, rise</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[The body positivity movement may have cooled since its 2010s peak, but Japan's plus-size industry remains resilient thanks to tight-knit communities, even as weight stigma lingers and artificial…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Japan’s sticker boom: From nostalgia to Bonbon Drop stickers</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japans-sticker-boom-from-nostalgia-to-bonbon-drop-stickers</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japans-sticker-boom-from-nostalgia-to-bonbon-drop-stickers</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Known as shiiru in Japanese, stickers are experiencing a renaissance. According to a 2026 survey of 2,484 respondents conducted by Nifty Kids, a youth-oriented lifestyle and hobby website,… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 07 Apr 2026 15:06:06 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan’s, sticker, boom:, From, nostalgia, Bonbon, Drop, stickers</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Known as shiiru in Japanese, stickers are experiencing a renaissance. According to a 2026 survey of 2,484 respondents conducted by Nifty Kids, a youth-oriented lifestyle and hobby website,…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Tokyo turns its phone booths into free Wi&#45;Fi hotspots, and here’s how to use them</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/tokyo-turns-its-phone-booths-into-free-wi-fi-hotspots-and-heres-how-to-use-them</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/tokyo-turns-its-phone-booths-into-free-wi-fi-hotspots-and-heres-how-to-use-them</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ With pretty much everyone owning a mobile phone these days, public telephones are on a steady decline worldwide. Though the same is true in Japan, governments here see them… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 06 Apr 2026 15:02:08 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Tokyo, turns, its, phone, booths, into, free, Wi-Fi, hotspots, and, here’s, how, use, them</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[With pretty much everyone owning a mobile phone these days, public telephones are on a steady decline worldwide. Though the same is true in Japan, governments here see them…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>How to use Hello Work in Japan: A guide for foreign job seekers</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/how-to-use-hello-work-in-japan-a-guide-for-foreign-job-seekers</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/how-to-use-hello-work-in-japan-a-guide-for-foreign-job-seekers</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ If you’re changing jobs in Japan — or trying to find one for the first time — there’s a good chance you’ve heard of Hello Work in Japan. It’s Japan’s… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sun, 05 Apr 2026 15:06:08 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>How, use, Hello, Work, Japan:, guide, for, foreign, job, seekers</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[If you’re changing jobs in Japan — or trying to find one for the first time — there’s a good chance you’ve heard of Hello Work in Japan. It’s Japan’s…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Do&#45;it&#45;yourself projects can save money and build confidence, or do the opposite</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/do-it-yourself-projects-can-save-money-and-build-confidence-or-do-the-opposite</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/do-it-yourself-projects-can-save-money-and-build-confidence-or-do-the-opposite</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ When something in the house stops working or needs to be replaced, the first impulse of many people is to call a contractor or comparison shop online. Others… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sat, 04 Apr 2026 15:02:07 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Do-it-yourself, projects, can, save, money, and, build, confidence, the, opposite</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[When something in the house stops working or needs to be replaced, the first impulse of many people is to call a contractor or comparison shop online. Others…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Inclusive instruments help new players find the beat in Tokyo</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/inclusive-instruments-help-new-players-find-the-beat-in-tokyo</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/inclusive-instruments-help-new-players-find-the-beat-in-tokyo</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ A new music initiative in Tokyo is opening the stage to people who once felt left out.
Even if you are hard of hearing or cannot read sheet… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 03 Apr 2026 15:06:09 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Inclusive, instruments, help, new, players, find, the, beat, Tokyo</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[A new music initiative in Tokyo is opening the stage to people who once felt left out.
Even if you are hard of hearing or cannot read sheet…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Empowering women in Japan through kendo</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/empowering-women-in-japan-through-kendo</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/empowering-women-in-japan-through-kendo</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The first person to teach me about kendo (traditional Japanese fencing) was ‌a high school girl. She was in her school’s kendo club and even brought in parts of her… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 02 Apr 2026 15:02:07 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Empowering, women, Japan, through, kendo</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[The first person to teach me about kendo (traditional Japanese fencing) was ‌a high school girl. She was in her school’s kendo club and even brought in parts of her…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Edo&#45;Tokyo Museum reopens following large&#45;scale renovation</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/edo-tokyo-museum-reopens-following-large-scale-renovation</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/edo-tokyo-museum-reopens-following-large-scale-renovation</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The Edo-Tokyo Museum, located in Tokyo&#039;s Ryogoku district, is one of Tokyo’s leading cultural institutions exploring the history and culture of the city. It officially reopened on March… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 01 Apr 2026 15:06:10 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Edo-Tokyo, Museum, reopens, following, large-scale, renovation</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[The Edo-Tokyo Museum, located in Tokyo's Ryogoku district, is one of Tokyo’s leading cultural institutions exploring the history and culture of the city. It officially reopened on March…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Postpartum care services in hotels gain traction among new mothers in Japan</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/postpartum-care-services-in-hotels-gain-traction-among-new-mothers-in-japan</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/postpartum-care-services-in-hotels-gain-traction-among-new-mothers-in-japan</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ For many new mothers, questions about breastfeeding, weaning and returning to work can feel overwhelming. As a result, a growing number in Japan are turning to postpartum care… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 31 Mar 2026 15:02:06 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Postpartum, care, services, hotels, gain, traction, among, new, mothers, Japan</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[For many new mothers, questions about breastfeeding, weaning and returning to work can feel overwhelming. As a result, a growing number in Japan are turning to postpartum care…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Online streamer tops dream job poll for young Japanese kids; older kids not so interested</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/online-streamer-tops-dream-job-poll-for-young-japanese-kids-older-kids-not-so-interested</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/online-streamer-tops-dream-job-poll-for-young-japanese-kids-older-kids-not-so-interested</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ “What do you want to be when you grow up?” That’s one of the questions educational publisher Gakken asks Japanese kids in its annual survey about their hopes and ambitions… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 30 Mar 2026 15:06:10 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Online, streamer, tops, dream, job, poll, for, young, Japanese, kids, older, kids, not, interested</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[“What do you want to be when you grow up?” That’s one of the questions educational publisher Gakken asks Japanese kids in its annual survey about their hopes and ambitions…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Perfect homework, blank stares: Why U.S. colleges are turning to oral exams to combat AI</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/perfect-homework-blank-stares-why-us-colleges-are-turning-to-oral-exams-to-combat-ai</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/perfect-homework-blank-stares-why-us-colleges-are-turning-to-oral-exams-to-combat-ai</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The assignment involves no laptop, no chatbot and no technology of any kind. In fact, there&#039;s no pen or paper, either.
Instead, students in Chris Schaffer’s biomedical engineering… ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://media.japantoday.com/img/store/fa/33/83df9498c9fa7566b447998245fc7971a655/download/_w1700.jpeg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Sun, 29 Mar 2026 15:02:08 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Perfect, homework, blank, stares:, Why, U.S., colleges, are, turning, oral, exams, combat</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[The assignment involves no laptop, no chatbot and no technology of any kind. In fact, there's no pen or paper, either.
Instead, students in Chris Schaffer’s biomedical engineering…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Soil is the foundation of your garden. Keep it healthy</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/soil-is-the-foundation-of-your-garden-keep-it-healthy</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/soil-is-the-foundation-of-your-garden-keep-it-healthy</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ We all dream of it: A breathtaking, lush, verdant garden that nourishes our souls and makes us the envy of the neighborhood. And to make that dream come… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sat, 28 Mar 2026 15:06:10 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Soil, the, foundation, your, garden., Keep, healthy</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[We all dream of it: A breathtaking, lush, verdant garden that nourishes our souls and makes us the envy of the neighborhood. And to make that dream come…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Train delays in Japan: Why they happen and how to handle them</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/train-delays-in-japan-why-they-happen-and-how-to-handle-them</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/train-delays-in-japan-why-they-happen-and-how-to-handle-them</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Japanese trains are legendary. They’re fast, clean and their punctuality makes them famously efficient. And since they’re known for being on time to the second, it can catch you… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 27 Mar 2026 15:02:08 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Train, delays, Japan:, Why, they, happen, and, how, handle, them</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Japanese trains are legendary. They’re fast, clean and their punctuality makes them famously efficient. And since they’re known for being on time to the second, it can catch you…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Public restrooms in Osaka to get in&#45;stall video screens with ads</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/public-restrooms-in-osaka-to-get-in-stall-video-screens-with-ads</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/public-restrooms-in-osaka-to-get-in-stall-video-screens-with-ads</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Osaka-based property management company Hankyu Hanshin Properties is in charge of a number of high-profile buildings in the city, which in turn means that it’s also in charge… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 26 Mar 2026 15:06:08 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Public, restrooms, Osaka, get, in-stall, video, screens, with, ads</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Osaka-based property management company Hankyu Hanshin Properties is in charge of a number of high-profile buildings in the city, which in turn means that it’s also in charge…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Japanese fan&#45;fitted jackets, other workwear a hit with foreign visitors</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japanese-fan-fitted-jackets-other-workwear-a-hit-with-foreign-visitors</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japanese-fan-fitted-jackets-other-workwear-a-hit-with-foreign-visitors</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Jackets fitted with motorized fans have become popular with laborers during Japan&#039;s sweltering summer months, but at one workwear store in Tokyo, it is foreign visitors who are… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 25 Mar 2026 15:02:10 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japanese, fan-fitted, jackets, other, workwear, hit, with, foreign, visitors</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Jackets fitted with motorized fans have become popular with laborers during Japan's sweltering summer months, but at one workwear store in Tokyo, it is foreign visitors who are…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Stunning central Japan wisteria festival is like a purple fantasy straight out of a Ghibli movie</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/stunning-central-japan-wisteria-festival-is-like-a-purple-fantasy-straight-out-of-a-ghibli-movie</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/stunning-central-japan-wisteria-festival-is-like-a-purple-fantasy-straight-out-of-a-ghibli-movie</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The cherry blossom season is poised to start throughout the country, with some places already seeing the flowers start to bloom. However, while cherry blossoms often make the… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 25 Mar 2026 15:02:10 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Stunning, central, Japan, wisteria, festival, like, purple, fantasy, straight, out, Ghibli, movie</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[The cherry blossom season is poised to start throughout the country, with some places already seeing the flowers start to bloom. However, while cherry blossoms often make the…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>People &amp;apos;bathe&amp;apos; in nature to get respite from chaotic news cycle</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/people-bathe-in-nature-to-get-respite-from-chaotic-news-cycle</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/people-bathe-in-nature-to-get-respite-from-chaotic-news-cycle</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ For two hours, Claire Jefferies wanted to get away from the war in Iran and the rising gas prices and just commune with nature. And, so, she treated… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 24 Mar 2026 15:06:08 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>People, bathe, nature, get, respite, from, chaotic, news, cycle</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[For two hours, Claire Jefferies wanted to get away from the war in Iran and the rising gas prices and just commune with nature. And, so, she treated…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>9 amazing off&#45;the&#45;beaten&#45;path cherry blossom spots in Japan for &amp;apos;yaezakura&amp;apos; and &amp;apos;hidarezakura&amp;apos;</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/9-amazing-off-the-beaten-path-cherry-blossom-spots-in-japan-for-yaezakura-and-hidarezakura</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/9-amazing-off-the-beaten-path-cherry-blossom-spots-in-japan-for-yaezakura-and-hidarezakura</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Going out to see cherry blossoms is one of the most quintessential Japanese springtime activities, but fighting crowds is also often another. That’s because the blossoms only bloom for a… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 23 Mar 2026 15:02:10 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>amazing, off-the-beaten-path, cherry, blossom, spots, Japan, for, yaezakura, and, hidarezakura</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Going out to see cherry blossoms is one of the most quintessential Japanese springtime activities, but fighting crowds is also often another. That’s because the blossoms only bloom for a…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Miyagi town turns to int&amp;apos;l students to help keep shrine ritual going</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/miyagi-town-turns-to-intl-students-to-help-keep-shrine-ritual-going</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/miyagi-town-turns-to-intl-students-to-help-keep-shrine-ritual-going</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Organizers of a centuries-old Shinto ritual in the scenic coastal town of Matsushima are turning to international students to help carry its mikoshi portable shrine, as Japan&#039;s aging… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sun, 22 Mar 2026 15:06:06 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Miyagi, town, turns, intl, students, help, keep, shrine, ritual, going</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Organizers of a centuries-old Shinto ritual in the scenic coastal town of Matsushima are turning to international students to help carry its mikoshi portable shrine, as Japan's aging…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Chinese university tells students to &amp;apos;fall in love&amp;apos; during spring break</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/chinese-university-tells-students-to-fall-in-love-during-spring-break</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/chinese-university-tells-students-to-fall-in-love-during-spring-break</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ A Chinese university is urging students to &quot;enjoy the flowers, fall in love&quot; during their mid-term ‌break, an unusual directive in a nation obsessed with getting good grades,… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sat, 21 Mar 2026 15:02:08 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Chinese, university, tells, students, fall, love, during, spring, break</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[A Chinese university is urging students to "enjoy the flowers, fall in love" during their mid-term ‌break, an unusual directive in a nation obsessed with getting good grades,…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Scream your way to happiness? Maybe not, but scream clubs promise some relief</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/scream-your-way-to-happiness-maybe-not-but-scream-clubs-promise-some-relief</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/scream-your-way-to-happiness-maybe-not-but-scream-clubs-promise-some-relief</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ With a gut-wrenching wail that rippled from her body, Amber Walcker joined about a dozen screaming people in West Seattle who let their frustrations float away over the… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 20 Mar 2026 15:06:08 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Scream, your, way, happiness, Maybe, not, but, scream, clubs, promise, some, relief</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[With a gut-wrenching wail that rippled from her body, Amber Walcker joined about a dozen screaming people in West Seattle who let their frustrations float away over the…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Japanese government says country needs more women’s room toilets to meet modern society’s needs</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japanese-government-says-country-needs-more-womens-room-toilets-to-meet-modern-societys-needs</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japanese-government-says-country-needs-more-womens-room-toilets-to-meet-modern-societys-needs</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ As its name suggests, Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism has a pretty broad focus, and right now it’s turning its attention to toilets. Specifically, the government entity… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 19 Mar 2026 15:02:08 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japanese, government, says, country, needs, more, women’s, room, toilets, meet, modern, society’s, needs</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[As its name suggests, Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism has a pretty broad focus, and right now it’s turning its attention to toilets. Specifically, the government entity…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Machida: All the shopping without the crowds</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/machida-all-the-shopping-without-the-crowds</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/machida-all-the-shopping-without-the-crowds</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Twenty-seven stops from Shinjuku might make Machida sound like a distant journey, but what it lacks in proximity, it more than makes up for in amenities and atmosphere… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 18 Mar 2026 15:06:06 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Machida:, All, the, shopping, without, the, crowds</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Twenty-seven stops from Shinjuku might make Machida sound like a distant journey, but what it lacks in proximity, it more than makes up for in amenities and atmosphere…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>4 expert tips for family mealtimes without the drama</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/4-expert-tips-for-family-mealtimes-without-the-drama</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/4-expert-tips-for-family-mealtimes-without-the-drama</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ When you have young children, it can be tempting to feed them early, then sit down to a separate meal once they’re in bed.
But setting a routine… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 17 Mar 2026 15:02:07 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>expert, tips, for, family, mealtimes, without, the, drama</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[When you have young children, it can be tempting to feed them early, then sit down to a separate meal once they’re in bed.
But setting a routine…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>What is &amp;apos;butsukari otoko&amp;apos;? The ‘bumping man’ phenomenon explained</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/what-is-butsukari-otoko-the-bumping-man-phenomenon-explained</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/what-is-butsukari-otoko-the-bumping-man-phenomenon-explained</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ A video from Shibuya Crossing has been circulating online, prompting questions about public conduct in Japan. The clip appears to show a deliberate shove in the middle of Tokyo’s… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 16 Mar 2026 15:06:10 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>What, butsukari, otoko, The, ‘bumping, man’, phenomenon, explained</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[A video from Shibuya Crossing has been circulating online, prompting questions about public conduct in Japan. The clip appears to show a deliberate shove in the middle of Tokyo’s…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Ukrainian library in Tokyo offers refugees a sense of home</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/ukrainian-library-in-tokyo-offers-refugees-a-sense-of-home</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/ukrainian-library-in-tokyo-offers-refugees-a-sense-of-home</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ A small library of Ukrainian-language books in Tokyo&#039;s Shibuya area is serving as an emotional anchor for people who have fled to Japan from Ukraine since Russia&#039;s full-scale… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 16 Mar 2026 15:06:09 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Ukrainian, library, Tokyo, offers, refugees, sense, home</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[A small library of Ukrainian-language books in Tokyo's Shibuya area is serving as an emotional anchor for people who have fled to Japan from Ukraine since Russia's full-scale…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Nobody said vegetable gardens must be in the backyard. Put them out front if it&amp;apos;s sunny</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/nobody-said-vegetable-gardens-must-be-in-the-backyard-put-them-out-front-if-its-sunny</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/nobody-said-vegetable-gardens-must-be-in-the-backyard-put-them-out-front-if-its-sunny</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ If you’ve dreamed of growing a vegetable garden but your backyard is too shady, is paved or is simply too small, consider the front yard. Planned properly, it… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sun, 15 Mar 2026 15:02:07 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Nobody, said, vegetable, gardens, must, the, backyard., Put, them, out, front, its, sunny</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[If you’ve dreamed of growing a vegetable garden but your backyard is too shady, is paved or is simply too small, consider the front yard. Planned properly, it…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>From blacksmithing to needlepoint, young people are embracing ‘grandma hobbies’</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/from-blacksmithing-to-needlepoint-young-people-are-embracing-grandma-hobbies</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/from-blacksmithing-to-needlepoint-young-people-are-embracing-grandma-hobbies</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ By age 23, Emma MacTaggart was already noticing how rare her free time was — and how it was seldom screen-free. 
She was working long hours in investment… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sat, 14 Mar 2026 15:06:08 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>From, blacksmithing, needlepoint, young, people, are, embracing, ‘grandma, hobbies’</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[By age 23, Emma MacTaggart was already noticing how rare her free time was — and how it was seldom screen-free. 
She was working long hours in investment…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Seaside winery in Ishikawa turns abandoned dunes into jobs for people with disabilities</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/seaside-winery-in-ishikawa-turns-abandoned-dunes-into-jobs-for-people-with-disabilities</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/seaside-winery-in-ishikawa-turns-abandoned-dunes-into-jobs-for-people-with-disabilities</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ A new seaside winery in Ishikawa Prefecture is transforming abandoned sand-dune farmland into vineyards while creating meaningful jobs for people with disabilities.
Japan is known for its sake… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 13 Mar 2026 15:07:07 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Seaside, winery, Ishikawa, turns, abandoned, dunes, into, jobs, for, people, with, disabilities</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[A new seaside winery in Ishikawa Prefecture is transforming abandoned sand-dune farmland into vineyards while creating meaningful jobs for people with disabilities.
Japan is known for its sake…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Shabby beauty: Inside Japan&amp;apos;s oldest, defiant student dorm</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/shabby-beauty-inside-japans-oldest-defiant-student-dorm</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/shabby-beauty-inside-japans-oldest-defiant-student-dorm</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Graffiti defaces tattered clay walls and trash piles up in Japan&#039;s oldest student dormitory, but Masako Ueda is savoring every last moment in the mice-infested building slated for… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 12 Mar 2026 15:03:09 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Shabby, beauty:, Inside, Japans, oldest, defiant, student, dorm</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Graffiti defaces tattered clay walls and trash piles up in Japan's oldest student dormitory, but Masako Ueda is savoring every last moment in the mice-infested building slated for…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Former Fukushima worker devotes life to abandoned pets</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/former-fukushima-worker-devotes-life-to-abandoned-pets</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/former-fukushima-worker-devotes-life-to-abandoned-pets</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Not far from the Fukushima nuclear disaster site, former plant worker Toru Akama tends to dozens of pets abandoned after the catastrophe 15 years ago, work he sees… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 11 Mar 2026 15:07:09 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Former, Fukushima, worker, devotes, life, abandoned, pets</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Not far from the Fukushima nuclear disaster site, former plant worker Toru Akama tends to dozens of pets abandoned after the catastrophe 15 years ago, work he sees…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Navigating conversations with children about war, conflict and other traumatic events</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/navigating-conversations-with-children-about-war-conflict-and-other-traumatic-events</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/navigating-conversations-with-children-about-war-conflict-and-other-traumatic-events</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The latest conflict in the Middle East is developing quickly and deeply complex, which can make it difficult for children to make sense of events they see unfolding… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 10 Mar 2026 15:03:08 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Navigating, conversations, with, children, about, war, conflict, and, other, traumatic, events</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[The latest conflict in the Middle East is developing quickly and deeply complex, which can make it difficult for children to make sense of events they see unfolding…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Japan asked to vote on what to officially call insanely hot days</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-asked-to-vote-on-what-to-officially-call-insanely-hot-days</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-asked-to-vote-on-what-to-officially-call-insanely-hot-days</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The days are starting to warm up here in Japan, and while that used to be a nice thing, I can’t help but be filled with a sense… ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://media.japantoday.com/img/store/17/15/f2a23ebdca95ef908a6ce4e71b7834d2ea1b/screenshot-2026-03-09-at-6-23-36/_w1700.png" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Mon, 09 Mar 2026 15:07:08 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, asked, vote, what, officially, call, insanely, hot, days</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[The days are starting to warm up here in Japan, and while that used to be a nice thing, I can’t help but be filled with a sense…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Bar touts in Japan: What &amp;apos;kyakuhiki&amp;apos; are and how to avoid nightlife scams</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/bar-touts-in-japan-what-kyakuhiki-are-and-how-to-avoid-nightlife-scams</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/bar-touts-in-japan-what-kyakuhiki-are-and-how-to-avoid-nightlife-scams</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ If you’ve ever walked through Kabukicho, Roppongi, or Shinsaibashi at night, you’ve probably had an encounter with bar touts in Japan. Someone suddenly appears beside you offering cheap drinks, a “special bar” or… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sun, 08 Mar 2026 15:03:07 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Bar, touts, Japan:, What, kyakuhiki, are, and, how, avoid, nightlife, scams</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[If you’ve ever walked through Kabukicho, Roppongi, or Shinsaibashi at night, you’ve probably had an encounter with bar touts in Japan. Someone suddenly appears beside you offering cheap drinks, a “special bar” or…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>It’s never too late to learn a language – adults and kids bring different strengths to the task</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/its-never-too-late-to-learn-a-language-adults-and-kids-bring-different-strengths-to-the-task</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/its-never-too-late-to-learn-a-language-adults-and-kids-bring-different-strengths-to-the-task</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ There’s a common assumption that if someone starts learning a language when they are very young, they will quickly become fluent.
Many people also assume that it will… ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://media.japantoday.com/img/store/d9/95/a5131d5cdec832f78bf3aa0246949ccac006/istock-1178902676/_w1700.jpeg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Sat, 07 Mar 2026 15:07:07 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>It’s, never, too, late, learn, language, –, adults, and, kids, bring, different, strengths, the, task</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[There’s a common assumption that if someone starts learning a language when they are very young, they will quickly become fluent.
Many people also assume that it will…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Teeth, finger bones and blessings: Buddhist relics inspire belief</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/teeth-finger-bones-and-blessings-buddhist-relics-inspire-belief</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/teeth-finger-bones-and-blessings-buddhist-relics-inspire-belief</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Katherine Nguyen stood with hands folded and head bowed at the altar of a Buddhist temple in Southern California.
Before her were tooth and finger bone relics believed… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 06 Mar 2026 15:03:09 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Teeth, finger, bones, and, blessings:, Buddhist, relics, inspire, belief</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Katherine Nguyen stood with hands folded and head bowed at the altar of a Buddhist temple in Southern California.
Before her were tooth and finger bone relics believed…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Sakura Festival in Chiyoda mixes illuminations, boats, music and Rilakkuma in the heart of Tokyo</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/sakura-festival-in-chiyoda-mixes-illuminations-boats-music-and-rilakkuma-in-the-heart-of-tokyo</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/sakura-festival-in-chiyoda-mixes-illuminations-boats-music-and-rilakkuma-in-the-heart-of-tokyo</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ While one of Japan’s most scenic spots has canceled its annual cherry blossom-themed event this year due to overtourism, others are still proceeding as planned. Tokyo’s Chiyoda Ward is pretty much… ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://media.japantoday.com/img/store/22/a0/ba885226fe75e8acaa7dcb03f5de7a9892e5/screenshot-2026-03-03-at-10-01-32/_w1700.png" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Thu, 05 Mar 2026 15:07:07 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Sakura, Festival, Chiyoda, mixes, illuminations, boats, music, and, Rilakkuma, the, heart, Tokyo</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[While one of Japan’s most scenic spots has canceled its annual cherry blossom-themed event this year due to overtourism, others are still proceeding as planned. Tokyo’s Chiyoda Ward is pretty much…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Why people voluntarily disappear in Japan</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/why-people-voluntarily-disappear-in-japan</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/why-people-voluntarily-disappear-in-japan</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ After being fired from his engineering job, a man hides his unemployment from his family for months. Leaving in the morning with a suit and coming back late… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 04 Mar 2026 15:03:11 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Why, people, voluntarily, disappear, Japan</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[After being fired from his engineering job, a man hides his unemployment from his family for months. Leaving in the morning with a suit and coming back late…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Burning through cash just to throw things away tops list of headaches when moving house in Japan</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/burning-through-cash-just-to-throw-things-away-tops-list-of-headaches-when-moving-house-in-japan</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/burning-through-cash-just-to-throw-things-away-tops-list-of-headaches-when-moving-house-in-japan</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ For many people when they think of spring in Japan, the first thing that comes to mind is rows of cherry blossom trees in full bloom lining the… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 03 Mar 2026 15:07:08 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Burning, through, cash, just, throw, things, away, tops, list, headaches, when, moving, house, Japan</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[For many people when they think of spring in Japan, the first thing that comes to mind is rows of cherry blossom trees in full bloom lining the…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>What you need to know about Japan’s new childbirth, childcare and education support in 2026</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/what-you-need-to-know-about-japans-new-childbirth-childcare-and-education-support-in-2026</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/what-you-need-to-know-about-japans-new-childbirth-childcare-and-education-support-in-2026</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ With the number of babies dropping each year, the Japanese government is rolling out one of its most ambitious rounds of family support in years. Starting in 2026, Japan is introducing… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 02 Mar 2026 15:03:09 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>What, you, need, know, about, Japan’s, new, childbirth, childcare, and, education, support, 2026</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[With the number of babies dropping each year, the Japanese government is rolling out one of its most ambitious rounds of family support in years. Starting in 2026, Japan is introducing…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Development of Puyo Puyo puzzle game for use in nursing homes underway</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/development-of-puyo-puyo-puzzle-game-for-use-in-nursing-homes-underway</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/development-of-puyo-puyo-puzzle-game-for-use-in-nursing-homes-underway</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ &quot;Puyo Puyo&quot; is a beloved puzzle game that can be casually enjoyed by people of all ages, as well as in highly competitive eSports. In it, players must arrange falling… ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://media.japantoday.com/img/store/ca/f6/4ab8ad339c36571514b2d8103e24f5ced40f/screenshot-2026-02-25-at-9-26-48/_w1700.png" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Sun, 01 Mar 2026 15:07:06 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Development, Puyo, Puyo, puzzle, game, for, use, nursing, homes, underway</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA["Puyo Puyo" is a beloved puzzle game that can be casually enjoyed by people of all ages, as well as in highly competitive eSports. In it, players must arrange falling…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>30 years after Pokémon&amp;apos;s release, fans are still trying to collect them all</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/30-years-after-pokemons-release-fans-are-still-trying-to-collect-them-all</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/30-years-after-pokemons-release-fans-are-still-trying-to-collect-them-all</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Benson Lu&#039;s life revolves around Pokémon.
The 26-year-old has played the mobile game Pokémon Go every day for a decade, watches the animated show every week, goes to… ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://media.japantoday.com/img/store/51/53/221952dee8712f5160154262d41aafd004bf/download/_w1700.jpeg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Sat, 28 Feb 2026 15:03:07 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>years, after, Pokémons, release, fans, are, still, trying, collect, them, all</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Benson Lu's life revolves around Pokémon.
The 26-year-old has played the mobile game Pokémon Go every day for a decade, watches the animated show every week, goes to…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Ask Hilary: Can you date a coworker in Japan, and what can you do when you&amp;apos;ve been ghosted by your boyfriend of a year?</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/ask-hilary-can-you-date-a-coworker-in-japan-and-what-can-you-do-when-youve-been-ghosted-by-your-boyfriend-of-a-year</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/ask-hilary-can-you-date-a-coworker-in-japan-and-what-can-you-do-when-youve-been-ghosted-by-your-boyfriend-of-a-year</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Dear Hilary,
Recently, I’ve started going out for dinner often with an employee from the same company but a different department who joined last year. We chat during… ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://media.japantoday.com/img/store/81/40/53f0281ffcc7e87ea9f89b6036e31424790a/screenshot-2026-02-23-at-12-49-59/_w1700.png" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Fri, 27 Feb 2026 15:07:07 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Ask, Hilary:, Can, you, date, coworker, Japan, and, what, can, you, when, youve, been, ghosted, your, boyfriend, year</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Dear Hilary,
Recently, I’ve started going out for dinner often with an employee from the same company but a different department who joined last year. We chat during…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Horror comics boom in our age of anxiety</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/horror-comics-boom-in-our-age-of-anxiety</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/horror-comics-boom-in-our-age-of-anxiety</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Horror sells right now. Having swept the film, television and video game industries, it is also a winning formula in the world of comics. Just ask James Tynion… ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://media.japantoday.com/img/store/2e/83/e0899293ecd85e09f12176569fd5a91e0412/603a52be7c6cb64dd3d81ebc5e4b019eb4d0a23c/_w1700.jpeg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Thu, 26 Feb 2026 15:03:08 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Horror, comics, boom, our, age, anxiety</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Horror sells right now. Having swept the film, television and video game industries, it is also a winning formula in the world of comics. Just ask James Tynion…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Japan’s bathhouse&#45;themed bar replaces hot water with unlimited alcohol</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japans-bathhouse-themed-bar-replaces-hot-water-with-unlimited-alcohol</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japans-bathhouse-themed-bar-replaces-hot-water-with-unlimited-alcohol</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ In my youth, I used to drink a lot of soda, perhaps to an unhealthy degree, and would often wonder about the feasibility of just hooking up a… ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://media.japantoday.com/img/store/4f/76/0f58b87ec61d9eca95c048e53bf873f3adc0/screenshot-2026-02-18-at-8-49-31/_w1700.png" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Wed, 25 Feb 2026 15:07:12 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan’s, bathhouse-themed, bar, replaces, hot, water, with, unlimited, alcohol</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[In my youth, I used to drink a lot of soda, perhaps to an unhealthy degree, and would often wonder about the feasibility of just hooking up a…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Cute coffins now available at Tokyo’s coffin relaxation salon</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/cute-coffins-now-available-at-tokyos-coffin-relaxation-salon</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/cute-coffins-now-available-at-tokyos-coffin-relaxation-salon</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Meiso Kukan Kanoke-in is a relaxation space in downtown Tokyo’s Takadanobaba neighborhood. It’s a unique place, not just because it offers a spot for patrons to meditate or zone out for… ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://media.japantoday.com/img/store/3c/2e/59a47fde65a8732360df513008e9c2824e99/screenshot-2026-02-17-at-13-22-09/_w1700.png" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Tue, 24 Feb 2026 15:03:07 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Cute, coffins, now, available, Tokyo’s, coffin, relaxation, salon</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Meiso Kukan Kanoke-in is a relaxation space in downtown Tokyo’s Takadanobaba neighborhood. It’s a unique place, not just because it offers a spot for patrons to meditate or zone out for…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Japan has trams that say &amp;apos;sorry&amp;apos; while they ride around town…but why?</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-has-trams-that-say-sorry-while-they-ride-around-townbut-why</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-has-trams-that-say-sorry-while-they-ride-around-townbut-why</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ You’ll encounter a lot of fascinating sights while traveling around Japan, and the further you go, the more unusual those sights can be. That’s what happened when we… ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://media.japantoday.com/img/store/d8/4b/da1884688e1b92a46adb981b3c23e397f29b/screenshot-2026-02-18-at-8-03-47/_w1700.png" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Mon, 23 Feb 2026 15:07:09 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, has, trams, that, say, sorry, while, they, ride, around, town…but, why</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[You’ll encounter a lot of fascinating sights while traveling around Japan, and the further you go, the more unusual those sights can be. That’s what happened when we…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>My experience with Ramadan in Japan</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/my-experience-with-ramadan-in-japan</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/my-experience-with-ramadan-in-japan</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Ramadan is the most sacred Islamic month. It’s when millions of Muslims fast, pray, and reflect. In Japan, observing Ramadan can be difficult, considering the Islamic status as a… ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://media.japantoday.com/img/store/54/20/aacd45e15c569a11879b6f38b1eff50e8128/istock-ablokhin-kimono-and-hijib-muslim-in-japan-1024x683-1/_w1700.jpeg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Sun, 22 Feb 2026 15:03:10 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>experience, with, Ramadan, Japan</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Ramadan is the most sacred Islamic month. It’s when millions of Muslims fast, pray, and reflect. In Japan, observing Ramadan can be difficult, considering the Islamic status as a…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Carefree bachelor or incel: Men are judged for being single too</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/carefree-bachelor-or-incel-men-are-judged-for-being-single-too</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/carefree-bachelor-or-incel-men-are-judged-for-being-single-too</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Reports of widespread “dating burnout” and a cultural shift towards heteropessimism – a feeling of disappointment or despair at the state of relations between men and women – have caused… ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://media.japantoday.com/img/store/c2/4b/94f3be749891ab48cf8155bdb783ad75856e/istock-648781288/_w1700.jpeg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Sat, 21 Feb 2026 15:07:08 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Carefree, bachelor, incel:, Men, are, judged, for, being, single, too</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Reports of widespread “dating burnout” and a cultural shift towards heteropessimism – a feeling of disappointment or despair at the state of relations between men and women – have caused…]]> </content:encoded>
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<title>Homelessness in Japan: Beyond the official count of 2,591</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/homelessness-in-japan-beyond-the-official-count-of-2591</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/homelessness-in-japan-beyond-the-official-count-of-2591</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ According to a January 2025 survey by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, 2,591 people were counted as homeless in Japan.
The non-Japanese individuals quoted in this… ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://media.japantoday.com/img/store/ae/5b/5a505c095373f11ab8c01e525181007d4ee5/net-cafe-stay_graphs-pixta_28600490_m/_w1700.jpeg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Fri, 20 Feb 2026 15:03:07 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Homelessness, Japan:, Beyond, the, official, count, 2, 591</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[According to a January 2025 survey by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, 2,591 people were counted as homeless in Japan.
The non-Japanese individuals quoted in this…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>New zombie ship to set sail in Japan; includes shinkansen tickets and all&#45;you&#45;can&#45;eat sushi</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/new-zombie-ship-to-set-sail-in-japan-includes-shinkansen-tickets-and-all-you-can-eat-sushi</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/new-zombie-ship-to-set-sail-in-japan-includes-shinkansen-tickets-and-all-you-can-eat-sushi</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Escape rooms in Japan know no bounds, with people being encouraged to escape from hotels, trains and haunted manors. Now, the boat is being taken out even further, quite literally, with… ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://media.japantoday.com/img/store/a9/d1/8300cd883b136cd560e36cd1b491bf1e5767/screenshot-2026-02-15-at-11-41-46/_w1700.png" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Thu, 19 Feb 2026 15:07:08 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>New, zombie, ship, set, sail, Japan, includes, shinkansen, tickets, and, all-you-can-eat, sushi</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Escape rooms in Japan know no bounds, with people being encouraged to escape from hotels, trains and haunted manors. Now, the boat is being taken out even further, quite literally, with…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Now is the time to visit one of Tokyo’s best off&#45;the&#45;beaten&#45;path plum blossom gardens</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/now-is-the-time-to-visit-one-of-tokyos-best-off-the-beaten-path-plum-blossom-gardens</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/now-is-the-time-to-visit-one-of-tokyos-best-off-the-beaten-path-plum-blossom-gardens</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Though they tend to get overshadowed by the more famous cherry blossoms, Japan’s plum blossoms, or ume, are not to be missed. Flowering in a range of colors from pure… ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://media.japantoday.com/img/store/fc/ce/0d720a9a98b5c20d8de2b34cda78e2bd1490/screenshot-2026-02-16-at-8-08-46/_w1700.png" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Wed, 18 Feb 2026 15:03:08 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Now, the, time, visit, one, Tokyo’s, best, off-the-beaten-path, plum, blossom, gardens</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Though they tend to get overshadowed by the more famous cherry blossoms, Japan’s plum blossoms, or ume, are not to be missed. Flowering in a range of colors from pure…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Blood, sweat and spectacle: Women’s pro wrestling in Japan returns</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/blood-sweat-and-spectacle-womens-pro-wrestling-in-japan-returns</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/blood-sweat-and-spectacle-womens-pro-wrestling-in-japan-returns</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ In Japan, joshi puroresu (women’s professional wrestling) has long been defined by refinement, brutality and physical risk. For decades, joshi (as it’s known) has set some of the… ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://media.japantoday.com/img/store/b8/fe/c2e39360213851a9ba101b4f489e65b98fd7/suplex_masahiro-kubota-monthly-puroresu/_w1700.jpeg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Tue, 17 Feb 2026 15:07:07 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Blood, sweat, and, spectacle:, Women’s, pro, wrestling, Japan, returns</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[In Japan, joshi puroresu (women’s professional wrestling) has long been defined by refinement, brutality and physical risk. For decades, joshi (as it’s known) has set some of the…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>What you think about your attachment style might be completely wrong</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/what-you-think-about-your-attachment-style-might-be-completely-wrong</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/what-you-think-about-your-attachment-style-might-be-completely-wrong</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ It’s not uncommon that new clients come into Kelsie Coles’ therapy office and declare their attachment style.
“I ask them a question, and people will say, ‘Well, I… ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://media.japantoday.com/img/store/78/ad/65b92217a1e006e3bced756a93c4b3bc7736/istock-2216677488/_w1700.jpeg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Mon, 16 Feb 2026 15:03:17 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>What, you, think, about, your, attachment, style, might, completely, wrong</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[It’s not uncommon that new clients come into Kelsie Coles’ therapy office and declare their attachment style.
“I ask them a question, and people will say, ‘Well, I…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Anemoia Tokyo: Become part of the show in this unique blend of art, dance and theater</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/anemoia-tokyo-become-part-of-the-show-in-this-unique-blend-of-art-dance-and-theater</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/anemoia-tokyo-become-part-of-the-show-in-this-unique-blend-of-art-dance-and-theater</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ A red curtain fluttering beneath the railway tracks. Faces hidden behind white masks. A dark hallway filled with glowing works of art. And then, a call to board… ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://media.japantoday.com/img/store/17/f6/4b98e15d6a4f503713904d4f13fb5a909d8d/screenshot-2026-02-13-at-8-05-20/_w1700.png" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Sun, 15 Feb 2026 15:07:17 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Anemoia, Tokyo:, Become, part, the, show, this, unique, blend, art, dance, and, theater</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[A red curtain fluttering beneath the railway tracks. Faces hidden behind white masks. A dark hallway filled with glowing works of art. And then, a call to board…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>New FamilyMart cinema opens inside Naha airport</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/new-familymart-cinema-opens-inside-naha-airport</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/new-familymart-cinema-opens-inside-naha-airport</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ We’ve seen a lot of things in Japan, but one thing we haven’t seen is a mini cinema inside an airport. That all changed on 1 October, though, when the… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sat, 14 Feb 2026 15:03:25 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>New, FamilyMart, cinema, opens, inside, Naha, airport</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[We’ve seen a lot of things in Japan, but one thing we haven’t seen is a mini cinema inside an airport. That all changed on 1 October, though, when the…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>&amp;apos;Artists of steel&amp;apos;: Japanese swords forge new fan base</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/artists-of-steel-japanese-swords-forge-new-fan-base</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/artists-of-steel-japanese-swords-forge-new-fan-base</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Sparks illuminate the soot-covered studio of Japanese swordsmith Akihira Kawasaki as his apprentice hammers red-hot steel, showcasing a millennium-old craft now enjoying a resurgence in popularity.
Despite the… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 13 Feb 2026 15:07:06 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Artists, steel:, Japanese, swords, forge, new, fan, base</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Sparks illuminate the soot-covered studio of Japanese swordsmith Akihira Kawasaki as his apprentice hammers red-hot steel, showcasing a millennium-old craft now enjoying a resurgence in popularity.
Despite the…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Japan manners debate: Is it OK to put a Mister Donut donut back on the shelf after taking it?</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-manners-debate-is-it-ok-to-put-a-mister-donut-donut-back-on-the-shelf-after-taking-it</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-manners-debate-is-it-ok-to-put-a-mister-donut-donut-back-on-the-shelf-after-taking-it</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Recently, a debate broke out online in Japan regarding Mister Donut. The topic wasn’t whether or not its donuts are good, as Mister Donut, being Japan’s largest donut chain… ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://media.japantoday.com/img/store/57/90/74ad9d386e01a0c3021296fab681d2cc6911/screenshot-2026-02-09-at-12-52-53/_w1700.png" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Thu, 12 Feb 2026 15:03:18 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, manners, debate:, put, Mister, Donut, donut, back, the, shelf, after, taking, it</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Recently, a debate broke out online in Japan regarding Mister Donut. The topic wasn’t whether or not its donuts are good, as Mister Donut, being Japan’s largest donut chain…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Japan&amp;apos;s master artisans to gather at 4th Annual Japan Traditional Crafts Ginza Artisan&amp;apos;s Street</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japans-master-artisans-to-gather-at-4th-annual-japan-traditional-crafts-ginza-artisans-street</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japans-master-artisans-to-gather-at-4th-annual-japan-traditional-crafts-ginza-artisans-street</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Matsuya Ginza will host the 4th Annual Japan Traditional Crafts Ginza Artisan&#039;s Street, Ginza Meishoichi, from February 18 to February 23, a six-day showcase bringing together master artisans… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 11 Feb 2026 15:07:09 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japans, master, artisans, gather, 4th, Annual, Japan, Traditional, Crafts, Ginza, Artisans, Street</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Matsuya Ginza will host the 4th Annual Japan Traditional Crafts Ginza Artisan's Street, Ginza Meishoichi, from February 18 to February 23, a six-day showcase bringing together master artisans…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Relationship experts and couples say romance doesn&amp;apos;t need grand gestures to thrive</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/relationship-experts-and-couples-say-romance-doesnt-need-grand-gestures-to-thrive</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/relationship-experts-and-couples-say-romance-doesnt-need-grand-gestures-to-thrive</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Doing something romantic for Valentine&#039;s Day does not need to involve a heart-shaped box of chocolates, roses or an atypically expensive dinner, according to relationship experts.
In fact,… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 10 Feb 2026 15:03:07 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Relationship, experts, and, couples, say, romance, doesnt, need, grand, gestures, thrive</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Doing something romantic for Valentine's Day does not need to involve a heart-shaped box of chocolates, roses or an atypically expensive dinner, according to relationship experts.
In fact,…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Is Japan really losing its ‘four seasons?’</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/is-japan-really-losing-its-four-seasons</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/is-japan-really-losing-its-four-seasons</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Is Japan losing its four seasons? The country loves ’em. Spring, summer, autumn, winter: shiki (四季, four seasons). Ask almost anyone, and it will come up. To locals, each season… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 09 Feb 2026 15:07:08 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, really, losing, its, ‘four, seasons’</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Is Japan losing its four seasons? The country loves ’em. Spring, summer, autumn, winter: shiki (四季, four seasons). Ask almost anyone, and it will come up. To locals, each season…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>How to create a calming &amp;apos;nature nook&amp;apos; with indoor plants</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/how-to-create-a-calming-nature-nook-with-indoor-plants</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/how-to-create-a-calming-nature-nook-with-indoor-plants</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Have you dreamed of creating a calm and cozy spot at home to relax and recharge, but don’t think you can spare the space?
You don’t need a… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sun, 08 Feb 2026 15:03:09 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>How, create, calming, nature, nook, with, indoor, plants</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Have you dreamed of creating a calm and cozy spot at home to relax and recharge, but don’t think you can spare the space?
You don’t need a…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Women in ties return as feminism faces pushback</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/women-in-ties-return-as-feminism-faces-pushback</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/women-in-ties-return-as-feminism-faces-pushback</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Nicole Kidman, Demi Moore, Bella Hadid, Oprah Winfrey: women entertainers and models are reviving the necktie, a symbol of male power, at a time when feminism is under… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sat, 07 Feb 2026 15:07:07 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Women, ties, return, feminism, faces, pushback</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Nicole Kidman, Demi Moore, Bella Hadid, Oprah Winfrey: women entertainers and models are reviving the necktie, a symbol of male power, at a time when feminism is under…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>How long&#45;term couples in Japan can keep the spark alive</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/how-long-term-couples-in-japan-can-keep-the-spark-alive</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/how-long-term-couples-in-japan-can-keep-the-spark-alive</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Once you’ve been with someone for a while, your interactions can become routine. However, when you’ve been in a relationship for long enough, it’s easy to start taking… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 06 Feb 2026 15:03:11 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>How, long-term, couples, Japan, can, keep, the, spark, alive</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Once you’ve been with someone for a while, your interactions can become routine. However, when you’ve been in a relationship for long enough, it’s easy to start taking…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Where are those darn keys? Tricks for remembering where you put things</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/where-are-those-darn-keys-tricks-for-remembering-where-you-put-things</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/where-are-those-darn-keys-tricks-for-remembering-where-you-put-things</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ With a scarf dangling from your coat pocket and those gloves left behind at the coffee shop, there are simply more things to lose in winter. That’s not… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 05 Feb 2026 15:07:07 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Where, are, those, darn, keys, Tricks, for, remembering, where, you, put, things</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[With a scarf dangling from your coat pocket and those gloves left behind at the coffee shop, there are simply more things to lose in winter. That’s not…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Japan startup expands &amp;apos;granny business&amp;apos; to put elderly women to work</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-startup-expands-granny-business-to-put-elderly-women-to-work</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-startup-expands-granny-business-to-put-elderly-women-to-work</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ A Japanese startup is expanding a &quot;granny business&quot; that turns seniors&#039; lifetime skills into paid work through cafes, food stalls and community festivals, placing elderly women -- including… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 04 Feb 2026 15:03:12 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, startup, expands, granny, business, put, elderly, women, work</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[A Japanese startup is expanding a "granny business" that turns seniors' lifetime skills into paid work through cafes, food stalls and community festivals, placing elderly women -- including…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>&amp;apos;Yokai&amp;apos; descending upon Tokyo this spring in latest immersive art experience</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/yokai-descending-upon-tokyo-this-spring-in-latest-immersive-art-experience</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/yokai-descending-upon-tokyo-this-spring-in-latest-immersive-art-experience</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Japanese yokai spirits live in an interesting realm that blends eerie and endearing, as some of them can be terrifying monsters, but others are cute little troublemakers and… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 03 Feb 2026 15:07:09 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Yokai, descending, upon, Tokyo, this, spring, latest, immersive, art, experience</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Japanese yokai spirits live in an interesting realm that blends eerie and endearing, as some of them can be terrifying monsters, but others are cute little troublemakers and…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Tokyo travel agency offers hands&#45;on evacuation shelter experience</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/tokyo-travel-agency-offers-hands-on-evacuation-shelter-experience</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/tokyo-travel-agency-offers-hands-on-evacuation-shelter-experience</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ In a shuttered school north of Tokyo, office workers assemble cardboard houses in minutes, part of a travel agency&#039;s effort to help people better prepare for life in… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 02 Feb 2026 15:03:09 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Tokyo, travel, agency, offers, hands-on, evacuation, shelter, experience</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[In a shuttered school north of Tokyo, office workers assemble cardboard houses in minutes, part of a travel agency's effort to help people better prepare for life in…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Kyoto shrine holding beautiful after&#45;dark cherry blossom event this spring</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/kyoto-shrine-holding-beautiful-after-dark-cherry-blossom-event-this-spring</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/kyoto-shrine-holding-beautiful-after-dark-cherry-blossom-event-this-spring</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ When visiting Kyoto, many travelers hope to experience moments of unhurried tranquility and timeless beauty at the city’s temples and shrines. “Timeless” doesn’t mean “open at any time,” though.… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sun, 01 Feb 2026 15:07:08 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Kyoto, shrine, holding, beautiful, after-dark, cherry, blossom, event, this, spring</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[When visiting Kyoto, many travelers hope to experience moments of unhurried tranquility and timeless beauty at the city’s temples and shrines. “Timeless” doesn’t mean “open at any time,” though.…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Snow protects your garden beds like winter mulch. Trees might need some help though</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/snow-protects-your-garden-beds-like-winter-mulch-trees-might-need-some-help-though</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/snow-protects-your-garden-beds-like-winter-mulch-trees-might-need-some-help-though</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Shoveling in single-digit temperatures after the colossal winter storm this weekend, I dumped mounds of snow onto my garden beds, knowing it would protect my trees, shrubs and… ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://media.japantoday.com/img/store/af/f3/f84573868f5fd30fb7c1bb4754e3b041ceda/download/_w1700.jpeg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Sat, 31 Jan 2026 15:03:10 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Snow, protects, your, garden, beds, like, winter, mulch., Trees, might, need, some, help, though</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Shoveling in single-digit temperatures after the colossal winter storm this weekend, I dumped mounds of snow onto my garden beds, knowing it would protect my trees, shrubs and…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Japan has a new bar just for people thinking about quitting their jobs, and the drinks are free</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-has-a-new-bar-just-for-people-thinking-about-quitting-their-jobs-and-the-drinks-are-free</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-has-a-new-bar-just-for-people-thinking-about-quitting-their-jobs-and-the-drinks-are-free</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Go for a walk around most major train stations in Japan, and you’ll see a lot of bars. There are izakaya, pubs with a wide assortment of small… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 30 Jan 2026 15:07:09 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, has, new, bar, just, for, people, thinking, about, quitting, their, jobs, and, the, drinks, are, free</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Go for a walk around most major train stations in Japan, and you’ll see a lot of bars. There are izakaya, pubs with a wide assortment of small…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Japanese young women reveal their top dealbreakers in a man</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japanese-young-women-reveal-their-top-dealbreakers-in-a-man</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japanese-young-women-reveal-their-top-dealbreakers-in-a-man</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Sitting lost in your own world, as the train trundles on, you find your gaze drifting to a person seated opposite. At first they’re just a blur in… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 29 Jan 2026 15:03:08 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japanese, young, women, reveal, their, top, dealbreakers, man</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Sitting lost in your own world, as the train trundles on, you find your gaze drifting to a person seated opposite. At first they’re just a blur in…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Tokyo train lines people most want to live along: survey</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/tokyo-train-lines-people-most-want-to-live-along-survey</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/tokyo-train-lines-people-most-want-to-live-along-survey</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Tokyo is one of the most populous cities on the planet, and with housing prices at a premium, how you commute to work becomes a large determining factor… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 28 Jan 2026 15:01:09 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Tokyo, train, lines, people, most, want, live, along:, survey</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Tokyo is one of the most populous cities on the planet, and with housing prices at a premium, how you commute to work becomes a large determining factor…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Dealing with a difficult relationship? Here’s how psychology says you can shift the dynamic</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/dealing-with-a-difficult-relationship-heres-how-psychology-says-you-can-shift-the-dynamic</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/dealing-with-a-difficult-relationship-heres-how-psychology-says-you-can-shift-the-dynamic</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Relationships can feel like both a blessing and the bane of your existence, a source of joy and a source of frustration or resentment. At some point, each… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 27 Jan 2026 15:07:08 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Dealing, with, difficult, relationship, Here’s, how, psychology, says, you, can, shift, the, dynamic</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Relationships can feel like both a blessing and the bane of your existence, a source of joy and a source of frustration or resentment. At some point, each…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>When big snow and ice blow in, most people reach for salt. There are ways to reduce its harms</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/when-big-snow-and-ice-blow-in-most-people-reach-for-salt-there-are-ways-to-reduce-its-harms</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/when-big-snow-and-ice-blow-in-most-people-reach-for-salt-there-are-ways-to-reduce-its-harms</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Winter has its fans, but even those who enjoy playing in the snow probably dislike the chore of clearing up after a big storm that dumps several inches… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 26 Jan 2026 15:04:12 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>When, big, snow, and, ice, blow, in, most, people, reach, for, salt., There, are, ways, reduce, its, harms</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Winter has its fans, but even those who enjoy playing in the snow probably dislike the chore of clearing up after a big storm that dumps several inches…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Underreported and understudied: The reality of sexual assault in Japan</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/underreported-and-understudied-the-reality-of-sexual-assault-in-japan</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/underreported-and-understudied-the-reality-of-sexual-assault-in-japan</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Sexual offenses are horrific crimes perpetrated worldwide against people of all ages and genders. In Japan, these crimes are often downplayed or become the subject of massive media… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 26 Jan 2026 15:04:12 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Underreported, and, understudied:, The, reality, sexual, assault, Japan</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Sexual offenses are horrific crimes perpetrated worldwide against people of all ages and genders. In Japan, these crimes are often downplayed or become the subject of massive media…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>The secret to pest&#45;free houseplants starts at the nursery</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/the-secret-to-pest-free-houseplants-starts-at-the-nursery</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/the-secret-to-pest-free-houseplants-starts-at-the-nursery</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ If you grow houseplants, you probably know that sinking feeling you get when you notice the almost imperceivable movement of a dot, fine webbing between a leaf and… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sun, 25 Jan 2026 15:01:07 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>The, secret, pest-free, houseplants, starts, the, nursery</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[If you grow houseplants, you probably know that sinking feeling you get when you notice the almost imperceivable movement of a dot, fine webbing between a leaf and…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Letter writing enjoys a revival as fans seek connection and a break from screen time</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/letter-writing-enjoys-a-revival-as-fans-seek-connection-and-a-break-from-screen-time</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/letter-writing-enjoys-a-revival-as-fans-seek-connection-and-a-break-from-screen-time</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ At a time when productivity means optimizing every second and screens blur the line between work and home, some people are slowing down and disconnecting by looking to… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sat, 24 Jan 2026 15:07:06 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Letter, writing, enjoys, revival, fans, seek, connection, and, break, from, screen, time</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[At a time when productivity means optimizing every second and screens blur the line between work and home, some people are slowing down and disconnecting by looking to…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Potter preserves ruined shop as disaster memorial in Fukushima ghost town</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/potter-preserves-ruined-shop-as-disaster-memorial-in-fukushima-ghost-town</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/potter-preserves-ruined-shop-as-disaster-memorial-in-fukushima-ghost-town</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ A white, weathered store stands quietly in a deserted area of Namie town in Fukushima Prefecture, an area evacuated after the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster.
Inside the dilapidated… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 23 Jan 2026 15:04:11 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Potter, preserves, ruined, shop, disaster, memorial, Fukushima, ghost, town</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[A white, weathered store stands quietly in a deserted area of Namie town in Fukushima Prefecture, an area evacuated after the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster.
Inside the dilapidated…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>36th Annual International Snowball Fight Competition to be held in Uonuma in February</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/36th-annual-international-snowball-fight-competition-to-be-held-in-uonuma-in-february</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/36th-annual-international-snowball-fight-competition-to-be-held-in-uonuma-in-february</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Since the dawn of humanity, whenever we have been blessed with lightly frozen flakes of precipitation, we have been filled with the urge to gather up this natural… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 22 Jan 2026 15:01:09 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>36th, Annual, International, Snowball, Fight, Competition, held, Uonuma, February</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Since the dawn of humanity, whenever we have been blessed with lightly frozen flakes of precipitation, we have been filled with the urge to gather up this natural…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Majority of Japanese women in survey regret marrying their husband, but that’s only half the story</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/majority-of-japanese-women-in-survey-regret-marrying-their-husband-but-thats-only-half-the-story</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/majority-of-japanese-women-in-survey-regret-marrying-their-husband-but-thats-only-half-the-story</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ There’s a perception, bordering on a stereotype, that Japan has lost a lot of its interest in romance. Fewer people are getting married, those that do are getting… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 21 Jan 2026 15:07:10 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Majority, Japanese, women, survey, regret, marrying, their, husband, but, that’s, only, half, the, story</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[There’s a perception, bordering on a stereotype, that Japan has lost a lot of its interest in romance. Fewer people are getting married, those that do are getting…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Japanese women show rebounding interest in giving Valentine’s Day chocolate</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japanese-women-show-rebounding-interest-in-giving-valentines-day-chocolate</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japanese-women-show-rebounding-interest-in-giving-valentines-day-chocolate</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ We recently talked about how the custom of sending nengajo, or New Year’s cards, is becoming less common in Japan…but also about how many have regretted quitting the tradition,… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 20 Jan 2026 15:04:06 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japanese, women, show, rebounding, interest, giving, Valentine’s, Day, chocolate</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[We recently talked about how the custom of sending nengajo, or New Year’s cards, is becoming less common in Japan…but also about how many have regretted quitting the tradition,…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Japan&amp;apos;s regional pop culture war</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japans-regional-pop-culture-war</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japans-regional-pop-culture-war</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ A tsunami of fans surged into Tokyo Big Sight on a cold winter morning in late 2025, lining up before dawn for Comiket 107&#039;s 50th anniversary. Fans clutched… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 19 Jan 2026 15:01:08 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japans, regional, pop, culture, war</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[A tsunami of fans surged into Tokyo Big Sight on a cold winter morning in late 2025, lining up before dawn for Comiket 107's 50th anniversary. Fans clutched…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Common tax mistakes in Japan: What foreigners often get wrong</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/common-tax-mistakes-in-japan-what-foreigners-often-get-wrong</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/common-tax-mistakes-in-japan-what-foreigners-often-get-wrong</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Japan’s tax system is logical on paper, but easy to get wrong in practice — especially if you have side income, overseas assets or have recently moved. Common… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sun, 18 Jan 2026 15:07:07 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Common, tax, mistakes, Japan:, What, foreigners, often, get, wrong</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Japan’s tax system is logical on paper, but easy to get wrong in practice — especially if you have side income, overseas assets or have recently moved. Common…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Could that dresser become a kitchen cabinet? The art of upcycling old furniture</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/could-that-dresser-become-a-kitchen-cabinet-the-art-of-upcycling-old-furniture</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/could-that-dresser-become-a-kitchen-cabinet-the-art-of-upcycling-old-furniture</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Maybe it&#039;s a scratched-up old sideboard found at a yard sale and turned into a snazzy media console. Or a couple of well-traveled vintage trunks given a new… ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://media.japantoday.com/img/store/59/54/bb2d5be67df954403372019f70e0e0f28c97/download/_w1700.jpeg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Sat, 17 Jan 2026 15:04:08 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Could, that, dresser, become, kitchen, cabinet, The, art, upcycling, old, furniture</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Maybe it's a scratched-up old sideboard found at a yard sale and turned into a snazzy media console. Or a couple of well-traveled vintage trunks given a new…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>A taste of nature can provide balance and calm during the workday</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/a-taste-of-nature-can-provide-balance-and-calm-during-the-workday</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/a-taste-of-nature-can-provide-balance-and-calm-during-the-workday</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The crisp crinkle of fallen leaves beneath your feet. The swish and trickle of water moving through a stream. A breath of crisp, fresh air.
Spending time in… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 15 Jan 2026 15:07:08 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>taste, nature, can, provide, balance, and, calm, during, the, workday</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[The crisp crinkle of fallen leaves beneath your feet. The swish and trickle of water moving through a stream. A breath of crisp, fresh air.
Spending time in…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Herbs grown indoors require extra care. Here are some tips</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/herbs-grown-indoors-require-extra-care-here-are-some-tips</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/herbs-grown-indoors-require-extra-care-here-are-some-tips</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ I’ve been growing herbs in the garden long enough to know they don’t require much. Just water, sunlight and my best intentions.
In the garden, herbs are forgiving… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 14 Jan 2026 15:04:10 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Herbs, grown, indoors, require, extra, care., Here, are, some, tips</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[I’ve been growing herbs in the garden long enough to know they don’t require much. Just water, sunlight and my best intentions.
In the garden, herbs are forgiving…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>What makes a good boss in Japan? Workers sound off in survey</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/what-makes-a-good-boss-in-japan-workers-sound-off-in-survey</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/what-makes-a-good-boss-in-japan-workers-sound-off-in-survey</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Work life is a big part of life in Japan. With a culture that emphasizes professional pride and personal responsibility, plus the long hours that come with many… ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://media.japantoday.com/img/store/33/18/d3cafed7be2a1dcc7077a1433bbaa0f9132b/screenshot-2026-01-08-at-8-39-32/_w1700.png" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Tue, 13 Jan 2026 15:01:09 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>What, makes, good, boss, Japan, Workers, sound, off, survey</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Work life is a big part of life in Japan. With a culture that emphasizes professional pride and personal responsibility, plus the long hours that come with many…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Getting CPR and AED certified in Japan: Why lifesaving skills matter</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/getting-cpr-and-aed-certified-in-japan-why-lifesaving-skills-matter</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/getting-cpr-and-aed-certified-in-japan-why-lifesaving-skills-matter</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Even in “safe” countries like Japan, accidents can happen anywhere and at any time. In certain emergency situations, having someone nearby who can do cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 12 Jan 2026 15:07:12 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Getting, CPR, and, AED, certified, Japan:, Why, lifesaving, skills, matter</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Even in “safe” countries like Japan, accidents can happen anywhere and at any time. In certain emergency situations, having someone nearby who can do cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Dondo&#45;yaki: Japan’s fiery farewell to New Year celebrations</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/dondo-yaki-japans-fiery-farewell-to-new-year-celebrations</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/dondo-yaki-japans-fiery-farewell-to-new-year-celebrations</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ If you’re in Japan in mid-January, you might stumble across a surprising winter scene like a towering bonfire blazing in a shrine yard, neighbors warming their hands and skewers of mochi (rice… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sun, 11 Jan 2026 15:04:10 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Dondo-yaki:, Japan’s, fiery, farewell, New, Year, celebrations</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[If you’re in Japan in mid-January, you might stumble across a surprising winter scene like a towering bonfire blazing in a shrine yard, neighbors warming their hands and skewers of mochi (rice…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Music can affect your driving – but not always how you’d expect</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/music-can-affect-your-driving-but-not-always-how-youd-expect</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/music-can-affect-your-driving-but-not-always-how-youd-expect</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ For many of us, listening to music is simply part of the driving routine – as ordinary as wearing a seatbelt. We build playlists for road trips, pick… ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://media.japantoday.com/img/store/2a/55/2a88423c3970a52c27812d1eea489647316f/istock-2230276974/_w1700.jpeg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Sat, 10 Jan 2026 15:01:07 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Music, can, affect, your, driving, –, but, not, always, how, you’d, expect</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[For many of us, listening to music is simply part of the driving routine – as ordinary as wearing a seatbelt. We build playlists for road trips, pick…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>China&amp;apos;s birth&#45;rate push sputters as couples stay child&#45;free</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/chinas-birth-rate-push-sputters-as-couples-stay-child-free</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/chinas-birth-rate-push-sputters-as-couples-stay-child-free</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Twenty-five-year-old Grace and her husband are set on staying child-free, resisting pressure from their parents and society to produce offspring, even as China strives to boost its flagging… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 09 Jan 2026 15:07:08 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Chinas, birth-rate, push, sputters, couples, stay, child-free</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Twenty-five-year-old Grace and her husband are set on staying child-free, resisting pressure from their parents and society to produce offspring, even as China strives to boost its flagging…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>In a world of digital money, what’s the right etiquette to split the bill with friends?</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/in-a-world-of-digital-money-whats-the-right-etiquette-to-split-the-bill-with-friends</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/in-a-world-of-digital-money-whats-the-right-etiquette-to-split-the-bill-with-friends</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ We’ve all been there – splitting a bill at dinner, covering a mate’s coffee, or sending a quick transfer for concert tickets. It’s part of modern social life.… ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://media.japantoday.com/img/store/62/45/07b39537e9c10e2b37dec85883668a393c03/istock-1482595163/_w1700.jpeg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Thu, 08 Jan 2026 15:04:09 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>world, digital, money, what’s, the, right, etiquette, split, the, bill, with, friends</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[We’ve all been there – splitting a bill at dinner, covering a mate’s coffee, or sending a quick transfer for concert tickets. It’s part of modern social life.…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Four Shinto shrines to pray for love at in Japan to start the New Year</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/four-shinto-shrines-to-pray-for-love-at-in-japan-to-start-the-new-year</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/four-shinto-shrines-to-pray-for-love-at-in-japan-to-start-the-new-year</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ In Japan, it’s customary to start off the new year be going to a Shinto shrine to pray for good fortune in the new year. While many are… ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://media.japantoday.com/img/store/78/a9/699800c0e04878d84e95818aeba144ae79e7/screenshot-2026-01-06-at-13-30-43/_w1700.png" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Wed, 07 Jan 2026 15:01:10 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Four, Shinto, shrines, pray, for, love, Japan, start, the, New, Year</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[In Japan, it’s customary to start off the new year be going to a Shinto shrine to pray for good fortune in the new year. While many are…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Japan trends: What changed in 2025 and what’s shaping 2026</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-trends-what-changed-in-2025-and-whats-shaping-2026</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-trends-what-changed-in-2025-and-whats-shaping-2026</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Will 2026 finally see the end of the craziness of 2025? It was a big year for Japan, with trends shifting in everything from tourism (good and bad)… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 06 Jan 2026 15:07:08 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, trends:, What, changed, 2025, and, what’s, shaping, 2026</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Will 2026 finally see the end of the craziness of 2025? It was a big year for Japan, with trends shifting in everything from tourism (good and bad)…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>A look back at the Osaka World Expo 2025</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/a-look-back-at-the-osaka-world-expo-2025</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/a-look-back-at-the-osaka-world-expo-2025</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ As we look forward to what the new year will bring, the legacy of the World Exposition in Osaka 2025 which ended on Oct 13, continues on in… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 05 Jan 2026 15:04:11 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>look, back, the, Osaka, World, Expo, 2025</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[As we look forward to what the new year will bring, the legacy of the World Exposition in Osaka 2025 which ended on Oct 13, continues on in…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>How to be an influencer in Japan: Visa rules, side gigs and stealth ads</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/how-to-be-an-influencer-in-japan-visa-rules-side-gigs-and-stealth-ads</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/how-to-be-an-influencer-in-japan-visa-rules-side-gigs-and-stealth-ads</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Traveling across prefectures, staying in onsen hotels for free and dining at sushi counters you’d typically only see online. Influencer life in Japan can look unreal — and sometimes it… ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://media.japantoday.com/img/store/4b/4b/d406ff8471e754db475f4b7b23558ced1851/istock-paylessimages-how-to-be-an-influencer-in-japan-1024x683/_w1700.jpeg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Sun, 04 Jan 2026 15:01:08 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>How, influencer, Japan:, Visa, rules, side, gigs, and, stealth, ads</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Traveling across prefectures, staying in onsen hotels for free and dining at sushi counters you’d typically only see online. Influencer life in Japan can look unreal — and sometimes it…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Survey finds more than 70 percent of Japanese children have an online friend</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/survey-finds-more-than-70-percent-of-japanese-children-have-an-online-friend</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/survey-finds-more-than-70-percent-of-japanese-children-have-an-online-friend</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ It wasn’t so long ago that a child making a new friend simply meant walking up to a kid in the park, on the playground, or at school… ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://media.japantoday.com/img/store/e7/73/14fdad24cf36891301550e9e6553bd1a5970/screenshot-2025-12-30-at-7-09-25/_w1700.png" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Sat, 03 Jan 2026 15:07:10 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Survey, finds, more, than, percent, Japanese, children, have, online, friend</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[It wasn’t so long ago that a child making a new friend simply meant walking up to a kid in the park, on the playground, or at school…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Is it rude to sing along at concerts in Japan? We ask a pro musician for his take</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/is-it-rude-to-sing-along-at-concerts-in-japan-we-ask-a-pro-musician-for-his-take</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/is-it-rude-to-sing-along-at-concerts-in-japan-we-ask-a-pro-musician-for-his-take</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ There’s nothing like a good online debate with strangers to fuel some fires, especially when it comes to personal passions. The most recent debate that’s ruffling some feathers… ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://media.japantoday.com/img/store/da/14/930b1b3fd5193bb0b574489a427efc061f70/screenshot-2025-12-26-at-11-03-44/_w1700.png" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Fri, 02 Jan 2026 15:04:15 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>rude, sing, along, concerts, Japan, ask, pro, musician, for, his, take</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[There’s nothing like a good online debate with strangers to fuel some fires, especially when it comes to personal passions. The most recent debate that’s ruffling some feathers…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Japan’s &amp;apos;otoshidama&amp;apos; tradition of giving kids money at New Year’s gets a social welfare upgrade</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japans-otoshidama-tradition-of-giving-kids-money-at-new-years-gets-a-social-welfare-upgrade</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japans-otoshidama-tradition-of-giving-kids-money-at-new-years-gets-a-social-welfare-upgrade</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ New Year’s is a major event in Japan, much like Christmas is in the West, full of cultural traditions that span back decades, and even centuries. One of those… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 01 Jan 2026 15:01:07 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan’s, otoshidama, tradition, giving, kids, money, New, Year’s, gets, social, welfare, upgrade</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[New Year’s is a major event in Japan, much like Christmas is in the West, full of cultural traditions that span back decades, and even centuries. One of those…]]> </content:encoded>
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<title>A guide to New Year traditions in Japan</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/a-guide-to-new-year-traditions-in-japan</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/a-guide-to-new-year-traditions-in-japan</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ For many non-Japanese, especially newcomers to Japan, many of the customs and traditions of New Year may seem hard to understand. New Year or oshogatsu is the most… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 31 Dec 2025 15:07:09 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>guide, New, Year, traditions, Japan</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[For many non-Japanese, especially newcomers to Japan, many of the customs and traditions of New Year may seem hard to understand. New Year or oshogatsu is the most…]]> </content:encoded>
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<title>Shanghai&amp;apos;s elderly waltz back to the past at lunchtime dance halls</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/shanghais-elderly-waltz-back-to-the-past-at-lunchtime-dance-halls</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/shanghais-elderly-waltz-back-to-the-past-at-lunchtime-dance-halls</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ A group of retirees cheered under disco lights as 60-year-old Xu Li leapt into her partner&#039;s arms, her legs spread akimbo in perfect splits.
It was just a… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 30 Dec 2025 15:04:12 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Shanghais, elderly, waltz, back, the, past, lunchtime, dance, halls</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[A group of retirees cheered under disco lights as 60-year-old Xu Li leapt into her partner's arms, her legs spread akimbo in perfect splits.
It was just a…]]> </content:encoded>
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<title>From hula hoops to hearing aids: Oldest baby boomers turn 80 in 2026, contributing to an aging U.S.</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/from-hula-hoops-to-hearing-aids-oldest-baby-boomers-turn-80-in-2026-contributing-to-an-aging-us</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/from-hula-hoops-to-hearing-aids-oldest-baby-boomers-turn-80-in-2026-contributing-to-an-aging-us</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The oldest baby boomers — once the vanguard of an American youth that revolutionized U.S. culture and politics — turn 80 in 2026.
The generation that twirled the… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 29 Dec 2025 15:01:12 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>From, hula, hoops, hearing, aids:, Oldest, baby, boomers, turn, 2026, contributing, aging, U.S.</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[The oldest baby boomers — once the vanguard of an American youth that revolutionized U.S. culture and politics — turn 80 in 2026.
The generation that twirled the…]]> </content:encoded>
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<title>More people in Japan quit sending New Year’s cards and many have started to regret it</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/more-people-in-japan-quit-sending-new-years-cards-and-many-have-started-to-regret-it</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/more-people-in-japan-quit-sending-new-years-cards-and-many-have-started-to-regret-it</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ For over ten years now, I have sworn off Christmas and birthday cards: simply writing my name, plus a sentence or two, simply doesn’t justify the dollars spent… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sun, 28 Dec 2025 15:07:08 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>More, people, Japan, quit, sending, New, Year’s, cards, and, many, have, started, regret</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[For over ten years now, I have sworn off Christmas and birthday cards: simply writing my name, plus a sentence or two, simply doesn’t justify the dollars spent…]]> </content:encoded>
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<title>Showa Hagoita: A vanishing piece of Japan’s New Year culture</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/showa-hagoita-a-vanishing-piece-of-japans-new-year-culture</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/showa-hagoita-a-vanishing-piece-of-japans-new-year-culture</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Hagoita (battledores) are traditional Japanese wooden paddles used to play hanetsuki (hitting a feathered shuttlecock), a game similar to badminton. Both the game and the paddles have existed… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sat, 27 Dec 2025 15:04:10 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Showa, Hagoita:, vanishing, piece, Japan’s, New, Year, culture</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Hagoita (battledores) are traditional Japanese wooden paddles used to play hanetsuki (hitting a feathered shuttlecock), a game similar to badminton. Both the game and the paddles have existed…]]> </content:encoded>
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<title>It’s more than OK for kids to be bored − it’s good for them</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/its-more-than-ok-for-kids-to-be-bored-its-good-for-them</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/its-more-than-ok-for-kids-to-be-bored-its-good-for-them</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Boredom is a common part of life, across time and around the world. That’s because boredom serves a useful purpose: It motivates people to pursue new goals and… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 26 Dec 2025 15:01:09 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>It’s, more, than, for, kids, bored, −, it’s, good, for, them</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Boredom is a common part of life, across time and around the world. That’s because boredom serves a useful purpose: It motivates people to pursue new goals and…]]> </content:encoded>
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<title>Everything you need to know about Christmas, and how it has evolved into a global holiday</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/everything-you-need-to-know-about-christmas-and-how-it-has-evolved-into-a-global-holiday</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/everything-you-need-to-know-about-christmas-and-how-it-has-evolved-into-a-global-holiday</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Christmas is a Christian holiday that observes the birth of Jesus. But did you know that the earliest followers of Jesus did not annually commemorate his birth? Or… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 25 Dec 2025 15:07:08 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Everything, you, need, know, about, Christmas, and, how, has, evolved, into, global, holiday</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Christmas is a Christian holiday that observes the birth of Jesus. But did you know that the earliest followers of Jesus did not annually commemorate his birth? Or…]]> </content:encoded>
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<title>Deck your garden with boughs of holly, a plant rich in symbolism and evergreen beauty</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/deck-your-garden-with-boughs-of-holly-a-plant-rich-in-symbolism-and-evergreen-beauty</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/deck-your-garden-with-boughs-of-holly-a-plant-rich-in-symbolism-and-evergreen-beauty</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ No doubt you’ve seen your share of hollies this month — in wreaths and boughs or perhaps on holiday cards and catalog covers. But are they growing in… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 24 Dec 2025 15:04:07 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Deck, your, garden, with, boughs, holly, plant, rich, symbolism, and, evergreen, beauty</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[No doubt you’ve seen your share of hollies this month — in wreaths and boughs or perhaps on holiday cards and catalog covers. But are they growing in…]]> </content:encoded>
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<title>NORAD continues decades&#45;long tradition of tracking Santa&amp;apos;s trip around the world</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/norad-continues-decades-long-tradition-of-tracking-santas-trip-around-the-world</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/norad-continues-decades-long-tradition-of-tracking-santas-trip-around-the-world</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Sometimes kids drop the phone after hearing Santa won&#039;t show up if they&#039;re not asleep. Others who call the NORAD Tracks Santa hotline wonder if St. Nick will… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 23 Dec 2025 15:01:09 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>NORAD, continues, decades-long, tradition, tracking, Santas, trip, around, the, world</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Sometimes kids drop the phone after hearing Santa won't show up if they're not asleep. Others who call the NORAD Tracks Santa hotline wonder if St. Nick will…]]> </content:encoded>
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<title>Uh oh, my child just discovered the truth about Santa</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/uh-oh-my-child-just-discovered-the-truth-about-santa</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/uh-oh-my-child-just-discovered-the-truth-about-santa</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Christmas can be a magical time of year for kids. Writing wish-lists, seeing Santa at the shops, leaving carrots for the reindeer out on the porch. And then… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 22 Dec 2025 15:07:07 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>oh, child, just, discovered, the, truth, about, Santa</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Christmas can be a magical time of year for kids. Writing wish-lists, seeing Santa at the shops, leaving carrots for the reindeer out on the porch. And then…]]> </content:encoded>
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<title>Rest is essential during the holidays, but it may mean getting active, not crashing on the couch</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/rest-is-essential-during-the-holidays-but-it-may-mean-getting-active-not-crashing-on-the-couch</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/rest-is-essential-during-the-holidays-but-it-may-mean-getting-active-not-crashing-on-the-couch</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The holiday season is often painted as an idyllic vision of rest, conjuring images of warm beverages and bountiful time with loved ones. But many people have trouble… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sun, 21 Dec 2025 15:04:14 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Rest, essential, during, the, holidays, but, may, mean, getting, active, not, crashing, the, couch</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[The holiday season is often painted as an idyllic vision of rest, conjuring images of warm beverages and bountiful time with loved ones. But many people have trouble…]]> </content:encoded>
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<title>Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for rest of the month</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/tokyos-tsukiji-sushi-neighborhood-asks-tour-groups-to-stay-away-for-rest-of-the-month</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/tokyos-tsukiji-sushi-neighborhood-asks-tour-groups-to-stay-away-for-rest-of-the-month</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ For those with an interest in Japanese cuisine, you can’t hear the name of Tokyo’s Tsukiji neighborhood without thinking about sushi, and it’s hard to think of sushi for very long… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sat, 20 Dec 2025 15:01:08 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Tokyo’s, Tsukiji, sushi, neighborhood, asks, tour, groups, stay, away, for, rest, the, month</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[For those with an interest in Japanese cuisine, you can’t hear the name of Tokyo’s Tsukiji neighborhood without thinking about sushi, and it’s hard to think of sushi for very long…]]> </content:encoded>
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<title>Like many holiday traditions, lighting candles and fireplaces is best done in moderation</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/like-many-holiday-traditions-lighting-candles-and-fireplaces-is-best-done-in-moderation</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/like-many-holiday-traditions-lighting-candles-and-fireplaces-is-best-done-in-moderation</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The warm spices in gingerbread, the woodsy aroma of pine and fir trees, and the fruity tang of mulled wine are smells synonymous with the holiday season. Many… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 19 Dec 2025 15:07:10 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Like, many, holiday, traditions, lighting, candles, and, fireplaces, best, done, moderation</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[The warm spices in gingerbread, the woodsy aroma of pine and fir trees, and the fruity tang of mulled wine are smells synonymous with the holiday season. Many…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>AI romance blooms as woman weds virtual partner of her dreams</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/ai-romance-blooms-as-woman-weds-virtual-partner-of-her-dreams</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/ai-romance-blooms-as-woman-weds-virtual-partner-of-her-dreams</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Music played in a wedding hall in western Japan as Yurina Noguchi, wearing a white gown and tiara, dabbed away her tears, taking in the words of her husband-to-be: an… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 19 Dec 2025 15:07:09 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>romance, blooms, woman, weds, virtual, partner, her, dreams</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Music played in a wedding hall in western Japan as Yurina Noguchi, wearing a white gown and tiara, dabbed away her tears, taking in the words of her husband-to-be: an…]]> </content:encoded>
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<title>Majority of Japanese men say they feel some discomfort seeing female janitors in men’s restrooms</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/majority-of-japanese-men-say-they-feel-some-discomfort-seeing-female-janitors-in-mens-restrooms</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/majority-of-japanese-men-say-they-feel-some-discomfort-seeing-female-janitors-in-mens-restrooms</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Like a lot of people, visits to the bathroom on my first few trips to Japan were a source of a lot of surprises, from “Whoa, this toilet… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 18 Dec 2025 15:04:14 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Majority, Japanese, men, say, they, feel, some, discomfort, seeing, female, janitors, men’s, restrooms</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Like a lot of people, visits to the bathroom on my first few trips to Japan were a source of a lot of surprises, from “Whoa, this toilet…]]> </content:encoded>
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<title>Tokyo considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/tokyo-considering-law-requiring-more-trash-cans-following-litter-increase-in-heavily-touristed-area</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/tokyo-considering-law-requiring-more-trash-cans-following-litter-increase-in-heavily-touristed-area</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ For quite some time, the scarcity of trash cans has been among the top complaints from foreign tourists in Japan. Now it looks like they’re going to become much more common… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 17 Dec 2025 15:01:13 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Tokyo, considering, law, requiring, more, trash, cans, following, litter, increase, heavily, touristed, area</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[For quite some time, the scarcity of trash cans has been among the top complaints from foreign tourists in Japan. Now it looks like they’re going to become much more common…]]> </content:encoded>
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<title>Office holiday parties can be dreadful for introverts and people with social anxiety</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/office-holiday-parties-can-be-dreadful-for-introverts-and-people-with-social-anxiety</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/office-holiday-parties-can-be-dreadful-for-introverts-and-people-with-social-anxiety</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The year the radio station company where he worked held its holiday party at a dive bar, Ryan Arnold walked in and saw coworkers passing around a tall… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 17 Dec 2025 15:01:12 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Office, holiday, parties, can, dreadful, for, introverts, and, people, with, social, anxiety</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[The year the radio station company where he worked held its holiday party at a dive bar, Ryan Arnold walked in and saw coworkers passing around a tall…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Record number of foreign children in Japan need help understanding Japanese in school</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/record-number-of-foreign-children-in-japan-need-help-understanding-japanese-in-school</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/record-number-of-foreign-children-in-japan-need-help-understanding-japanese-in-school</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ As Japan’s foreign population continues to grow, the number of foreign-nationality kids living in the country is rising too. Unfortunately, the number of kids living in Japan who aren’t… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 17 Dec 2025 15:01:11 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Record, number, foreign, children, Japan, need, help, understanding, Japanese, school</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[As Japan’s foreign population continues to grow, the number of foreign-nationality kids living in the country is rising too. Unfortunately, the number of kids living in Japan who aren’t…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>How to move to Japan: Visas, requirements and everything you need to know</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/how-to-move-to-japan-visas-requirements-and-everything-you-need-to-know</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/how-to-move-to-japan-visas-requirements-and-everything-you-need-to-know</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Moving to Japan can feel like stepping into your favorite anime or travel fantasy. But what does it actually take to pack up your life and move here? Whether… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sun, 14 Dec 2025 15:07:07 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>How, move, Japan:, Visas, requirements, and, everything, you, need, know</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Moving to Japan can feel like stepping into your favorite anime or travel fantasy. But what does it actually take to pack up your life and move here? Whether…]]> </content:encoded>
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<title>How to enjoy Christmas in Japan when you’re single</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/how-to-enjoy-christmas-in-japan-when-youre-single</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/how-to-enjoy-christmas-in-japan-when-youre-single</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Spending Christmas in Japan single doesn’t have to feel lonely — Japan offers plenty of ways to enjoy the holiday on your own. Christmas is a holiday traditionally… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sat, 13 Dec 2025 15:03:10 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>How, enjoy, Christmas, Japan, when, you’re, single</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Spending Christmas in Japan single doesn’t have to feel lonely — Japan offers plenty of ways to enjoy the holiday on your own. Christmas is a holiday traditionally…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Sanrio theme park in Japan announces plans to expand into a Sanrio resort</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/sanrio-theme-park-in-japan-announces-plans-to-expand-into-a-sanrio-resort</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/sanrio-theme-park-in-japan-announces-plans-to-expand-into-a-sanrio-resort</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ In April, Japan’s Oita Airport renamed itself to Oita Hello Kitty Airport. This wasn’t just a silly tongue-in-cheek gesture, like when Kagawa Prefecture named a Pokémon as its new governor.… ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://media.japantoday.com/img/store/90/5e/67a176b10dbc9d36e1b30d68f084189cff77/screenshot-2025-12-10-at-13-35-28/_w1700.png" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Fri, 12 Dec 2025 15:00:10 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Sanrio, theme, park, Japan, announces, plans, expand, into, Sanrio, resort</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[In April, Japan’s Oita Airport renamed itself to Oita Hello Kitty Airport. This wasn’t just a silly tongue-in-cheek gesture, like when Kagawa Prefecture named a Pokémon as its new governor.…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Inside Iino, Fukushima’s UFO village</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/inside-iino-fukushimas-ufo-village</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/inside-iino-fukushimas-ufo-village</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ On the southwestern edge of Fukushima City, the rural district of Inomachi initially appears like any other small mountain town in Japan. A few shops remain open while… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 11 Dec 2025 15:06:07 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Inside, Iino, Fukushima’s, UFO, village</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[On the southwestern edge of Fukushima City, the rural district of Inomachi initially appears like any other small mountain town in Japan. A few shops remain open while…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>This Osaka laundromat wants to clean more than your clothes; it also wants to clean you</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/this-osaka-laundromat-wants-to-clean-more-than-your-clothes-it-also-wants-to-clean-you</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/this-osaka-laundromat-wants-to-clean-more-than-your-clothes-it-also-wants-to-clean-you</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Having lived in fairly modern apartments in Japan with decent amounts of space for a washing machine and drying racks, I have always been rather fortunate to not… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 10 Dec 2025 15:02:09 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>This, Osaka, laundromat, wants, clean, more, than, your, clothes, also, wants, clean, you</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Having lived in fairly modern apartments in Japan with decent amounts of space for a washing machine and drying racks, I have always been rather fortunate to not…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Christmas markets in Japan 2025: Romance, lights and where to visit</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/christmas-markets-in-japan-2025-romance-lights-and-where-to-visit</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/christmas-markets-in-japan-2025-romance-lights-and-where-to-visit</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Turning on its lights for the first time on Nov. 1, Fukuoka City’s “Christmas Market in Hikari no Machi” was one of the earliest to open in the… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 09 Dec 2025 15:08:08 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Christmas, markets, Japan, 2025:, Romance, lights, and, where, visit</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Turning on its lights for the first time on Nov. 1, Fukuoka City’s “Christmas Market in Hikari no Machi” was one of the earliest to open in the…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Major Japanese noodle chain is closing on Christmas Eve so workers can spend time with families</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/major-japanese-noodle-chain-is-closing-on-christmas-eve-so-workers-can-spend-time-with-families</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/major-japanese-noodle-chain-is-closing-on-christmas-eve-so-workers-can-spend-time-with-families</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Japanese noodle restaurant chain Marugame Seimen, also known as Marugame Udon, has announced that later this month it’ll be having a Marugame Family Night. From the name, you might expect this… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 08 Dec 2025 15:05:10 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Major, Japanese, noodle, chain, closing, Christmas, Eve, workers, can, spend, time, with, families</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Japanese noodle restaurant chain Marugame Seimen, also known as Marugame Udon, has announced that later this month it’ll be having a Marugame Family Night. From the name, you might expect this…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>What makes a true Santa is inside – and comes with the red suit</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/what-makes-a-true-santa-is-inside-and-comes-with-the-red-suit</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/what-makes-a-true-santa-is-inside-and-comes-with-the-red-suit</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ When you picture Santa Claus, a white, bearded, overweight and jolly man who dashes around delivering gifts to children during the Christmas season probably comes to mind. Yet,… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sun, 07 Dec 2025 15:02:07 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>What, makes, true, Santa, inside, –, and, comes, with, the, red, suit</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[When you picture Santa Claus, a white, bearded, overweight and jolly man who dashes around delivering gifts to children during the Christmas season probably comes to mind. Yet,…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>What makes something &amp;apos;kawaii&amp;apos; to women from Japan, China and South Korea? Survey investigates</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/what-makes-something-kawaii-to-women-from-japan-china-and-south-korea-survey-investigates</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/what-makes-something-kawaii-to-women-from-japan-china-and-south-korea-survey-investigates</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ From Sanrio characters to starry-eyed idol singers, it’s no secret that kawaii (“cute”) culture is huge in Japan. Whole museums and theme parks have been dedicated to the concept of kawaii. Heck, it’s hard… ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://media.japantoday.com/img/store/15/2b/3bee5b7c444529bec1aa3407fa3780373b08/screenshot-2025-12-03-at-13-18-44/_w1700.png" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Sat, 06 Dec 2025 15:08:07 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>What, makes, something, kawaii, women, from, Japan, China, and, South, Korea, Survey, investigates</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[From Sanrio characters to starry-eyed idol singers, it’s no secret that kawaii (“cute”) culture is huge in Japan. Whole museums and theme parks have been dedicated to the concept of kawaii. Heck, it’s hard…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>10 Japanese culture experiences you can do in English in Tokyo</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/10-japanese-culture-experiences-you-can-do-in-english-in-tokyo</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/10-japanese-culture-experiences-you-can-do-in-english-in-tokyo</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Japanese Culture Experiences are at the top of many foreigners’ must-do lists. With world-renowned temples and shrines, enviable street food and high cuisine and a rich history of… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 05 Dec 2025 15:05:11 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japanese, culture, experiences, you, can, English, Tokyo</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Japanese Culture Experiences are at the top of many foreigners’ must-do lists. With world-renowned temples and shrines, enviable street food and high cuisine and a rich history of…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>The Polish &amp;apos;magicians of glass&amp;apos; who create Christmas baubles for clients worldwide</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/the-polish-magicians-of-glass-who-create-christmas-baubles-for-clients-worldwide</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/the-polish-magicians-of-glass-who-create-christmas-baubles-for-clients-worldwide</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ If you could design a bauble for your own Christmas tree, what would it be — a teddy bear dressed as a ballerina, a hummingbird, or a crimson… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 04 Dec 2025 15:02:07 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>The, Polish, magicians, glass, who, create, Christmas, baubles, for, clients, worldwide</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[If you could design a bauble for your own Christmas tree, what would it be — a teddy bear dressed as a ballerina, a hummingbird, or a crimson…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Why doing good also makes us feel good, during the holidays and beyond</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/why-doing-good-also-makes-us-feel-good-during-the-holidays-and-beyond</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/why-doing-good-also-makes-us-feel-good-during-the-holidays-and-beyond</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The holiday season is a time for giving thanks, giving gifts — and for many, a time for giving back.
Food banks, services that deliver meals to seniors… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 03 Dec 2025 15:08:08 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Why, doing, good, also, makes, feel, good, during, the, holidays, and, beyond</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[The holiday season is a time for giving thanks, giving gifts — and for many, a time for giving back.
Food banks, services that deliver meals to seniors…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>8 ways to drink less during the silly season</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/8-ways-to-drink-less-during-the-silly-season</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/8-ways-to-drink-less-during-the-silly-season</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ “We must have a drink before the end of the year!”
December is a perfect storm for anyone trying to cut back on drinking. Between end-of-year deadlines, work… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 02 Dec 2025 15:05:09 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>ways, drink, less, during, the, silly, season</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[“We must have a drink before the end of the year!”
December is a perfect storm for anyone trying to cut back on drinking. Between end-of-year deadlines, work…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>A guide to &amp;apos;goshuin&amp;apos;: Japanese shrine &amp;amp; temple stamps</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/a-guide-to-goshuin-japanese-shrine-temple-stamps</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/a-guide-to-goshuin-japanese-shrine-temple-stamps</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Planning to visit Japan’s shrines and temples? Here’s what goshuin are and how to get your first stamp.
Everyone says “new year, new me,” but how many people… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 01 Dec 2025 15:02:10 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>guide, goshuin:, Japanese, shrine, temple, stamps</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Planning to visit Japan’s shrines and temples? Here’s what goshuin are and how to get your first stamp.
Everyone says “new year, new me,” but how many people…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Synchronized steps: Japan walking art tradition marches on</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/synchronized-steps-japan-walking-art-tradition-marches-on</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/synchronized-steps-japan-walking-art-tradition-marches-on</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Shoes squeaking in perfect unison, dozens of Japanese students move in formation through a Yokohama sports hall in training for a synchronized walking performance expected to draw thousands.… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sun, 30 Nov 2025 15:08:07 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Synchronized, steps:, Japan, walking, art, tradition, marches</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Shoes squeaking in perfect unison, dozens of Japanese students move in formation through a Yokohama sports hall in training for a synchronized walking performance expected to draw thousands.…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Remember to give thanks to yourself during the holidays and beyond</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/remember-to-give-thanks-to-yourself-during-the-holidays-and-beyond</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/remember-to-give-thanks-to-yourself-during-the-holidays-and-beyond</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ While reflecting on what we’re thankful for during the holiday season, we often focus on the external: the company of loved ones. The nourishment of a shared meal.… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sat, 29 Nov 2025 15:05:09 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Remember, give, thanks, yourself, during, the, holidays, and, beyond</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[While reflecting on what we’re thankful for during the holiday season, we often focus on the external: the company of loved ones. The nourishment of a shared meal.…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>From ‘mail&#45;order brides’ to ‘passport bros,’ the international dating industry often sells traditional gender roles</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/from-mail-order-brides-to-passport-bros-the-international-dating-industry-often-sells-traditional-gender-roles</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/from-mail-order-brides-to-passport-bros-the-international-dating-industry-often-sells-traditional-gender-roles</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Fifteen years ago, when I started studying the international dating industry, few people took the subject seriously. The term “mail-order bride” was treated as a punch line –… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 28 Nov 2025 15:02:09 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>From, ‘mail-order, brides’, ‘passport, bros, ’, the, international, dating, industry, often, sells, traditional, gender, roles</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Fifteen years ago, when I started studying the international dating industry, few people took the subject seriously. The term “mail-order bride” was treated as a punch line –…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Move. Cheer. Dance. Do the wave. How to tap into the collective joy of &amp;apos;we mode&amp;apos;</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/move-cheer-dance-do-the-wave-how-to-tap-into-the-collective-joy-of-we-mode</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/move-cheer-dance-do-the-wave-how-to-tap-into-the-collective-joy-of-we-mode</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ With a runway of smoking-hot coals laid out before them, residents in San Pedro Manrique, Spain, steel themselves as thousands of onlookers cheer them on. The crowd roars… ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://media.japantoday.com/img/store/76/52/eb56bd08d1901c7cdeafe925732bcdc239b8/download/_w1700.jpeg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Thu, 27 Nov 2025 15:08:07 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Move., Cheer., Dance., the, wave., How, tap, into, the, collective, joy, we, mode</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[With a runway of smoking-hot coals laid out before them, residents in San Pedro Manrique, Spain, steel themselves as thousands of onlookers cheer them on. The crowd roars…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Kyoto’s for&#45;adults immersive samurai theme park announces opening date</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/kyotos-for-adults-immersive-samurai-theme-park-announces-opening-date</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/kyotos-for-adults-immersive-samurai-theme-park-announces-opening-date</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Toei is one of Japan’s biggest producers of samurai movies and TV series, and 50 years ago the company hit upon the idea of combining some of its filming… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 26 Nov 2025 15:05:11 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Kyoto’s, for-adults, immersive, samurai, theme, park, announces, opening, date</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Toei is one of Japan’s biggest producers of samurai movies and TV series, and 50 years ago the company hit upon the idea of combining some of its filming…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Preparing to study abroad requires knowing what might go wrong during and after the trip</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/preparing-to-study-abroad-requires-knowing-what-might-go-wrong-during-and-after-the-trip</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/preparing-to-study-abroad-requires-knowing-what-might-go-wrong-during-and-after-the-trip</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ After spending two college semesters in northern Thailand, Sarah Jongsma found herself back home in the rural Nevada town where she grew up, surrounded by everything familiar yet… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 24 Nov 2025 15:07:08 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Preparing, study, abroad, requires, knowing, what, might, wrong, during, and, after, the, trip</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[After spending two college semesters in northern Thailand, Sarah Jongsma found herself back home in the rural Nevada town where she grew up, surrounded by everything familiar yet…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Hokkaido&amp;apos;s famous Blue Pond shimmers as annual illumination begins</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/hokkaidos-famous-blue-pond-shimmers-as-annual-illumination-begins</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/hokkaidos-famous-blue-pond-shimmers-as-annual-illumination-begins</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The annual winter illumination has begun at Hokkaido&#039;s famous &quot;Aoi Ike&quot; Blue Pond, drawing visitors eager to witness the ethereal transformation of the landscape.
Tourists flock to the… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sun, 23 Nov 2025 15:04:07 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Hokkaidos, famous, Blue, Pond, shimmers, annual, illumination, begins</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[The annual winter illumination has begun at Hokkaido's famous "Aoi Ike" Blue Pond, drawing visitors eager to witness the ethereal transformation of the landscape.
Tourists flock to the…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>What would convince Japanese people to live in a home where there’d been a death or &amp;apos;accident?&amp;apos;</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/what-would-convince-japanese-people-to-live-in-a-home-where-thered-been-a-death-or-accident</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/what-would-convince-japanese-people-to-live-in-a-home-where-thered-been-a-death-or-accident</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ In Japanese real estate, some apartments and homes are referred to as jiko bukken, or “accident properties.” This is a euphemism for properties in which a death or violent crime took place,… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sat, 22 Nov 2025 15:00:09 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>What, would, convince, Japanese, people, live, home, where, there’d, been, death, accident</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[In Japanese real estate, some apartments and homes are referred to as jiko bukken, or “accident properties.” This is a euphemism for properties in which a death or violent crime took place,…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Half of Japan working adults in 20s engage in &amp;apos;oshikatsu&amp;apos; fan activities</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/half-of-japan-working-adults-in-20s-engage-in-oshikatsu-fan-activities</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/half-of-japan-working-adults-in-20s-engage-in-oshikatsu-fan-activities</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Nearly half of full-time workers in their 20s in Japan engage in oshikatsu activities in support of their favorite pop idols, anime characters and sports stars, a recent… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 21 Nov 2025 15:06:15 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Half, Japan, working, adults, 20s, engage, oshikatsu, fan, activities</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Nearly half of full-time workers in their 20s in Japan engage in oshikatsu activities in support of their favorite pop idols, anime characters and sports stars, a recent…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Urushi: A beginner’s guide to Japanese lacquerware</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/urushi-a-beginners-guide-to-japanese-lacquerware</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/urushi-a-beginners-guide-to-japanese-lacquerware</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Among Japan’s many traditional handicrafts, urushi (lacquerware) stands out as one of the oldest. Urushi comes from the varnish made from the sap of the urushinoki, better known in English as the Japanese… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 20 Nov 2025 15:03:11 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Urushi:, beginner’s, guide, Japanese, lacquerware</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Among Japan’s many traditional handicrafts, urushi (lacquerware) stands out as one of the oldest. Urushi comes from the varnish made from the sap of the urushinoki, better known in English as the Japanese…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>As China cracks down on stories about men in love, female fans mourn the idealized romances</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/as-china-cracks-down-on-stories-about-men-in-love-female-fans-mourn-the-idealized-romances</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/as-china-cracks-down-on-stories-about-men-in-love-female-fans-mourn-the-idealized-romances</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ For Cindy Zhong, like many young Chinese women, a relaxing night used to mean curling up with a steamy story about two men in love. Then her favorite authors, and… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 19 Nov 2025 15:00:12 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>China, cracks, down, stories, about, men, love, female, fans, mourn, the, idealized, romances</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[For Cindy Zhong, like many young Chinese women, a relaxing night used to mean curling up with a steamy story about two men in love. Then her favorite authors, and…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Maker of Japan’s first crane machine is looking for a working model, offering ¥100,000 reward</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/maker-of-japans-first-crane-machine-is-looking-for-a-working-model-offering-100000-reward</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/maker-of-japans-first-crane-machine-is-looking-for-a-working-model-offering-100000-reward</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Crane games are so ubiquitous in Japan that they feel like something that’s always been a part of the country, like the arcade landscape equivalent of Mount Fuji. But… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 18 Nov 2025 15:06:11 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Maker, Japan’s, first, crane, machine, looking, for, working, model, offering, ¥100, 000, reward</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Crane games are so ubiquitous in Japan that they feel like something that’s always been a part of the country, like the arcade landscape equivalent of Mount Fuji. But…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Why do some foreigners in Japan hate each other?</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/why-do-some-foreigners-in-japan-hate-each-other</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/why-do-some-foreigners-in-japan-hate-each-other</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Moving to Japan is full of challenges, discoveries and (mostly) positive culture shocks. Yet for many foreigners, one of the biggest shocks isn’t how different Japan feels from home… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 17 Nov 2025 15:03:09 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Why, some, foreigners, Japan, hate, each, other</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Moving to Japan is full of challenges, discoveries and (mostly) positive culture shocks. Yet for many foreigners, one of the biggest shocks isn’t how different Japan feels from home…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Climate change is in the news during COP30. We&amp;apos;ve got tips to tackle your climate anxiety</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/climate-change-is-in-the-news-during-cop30-weve-got-tips-to-tackle-your-climate-anxiety</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/climate-change-is-in-the-news-during-cop30-weve-got-tips-to-tackle-your-climate-anxiety</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Every autumn, news feeds get flooded with stories about climate change. That&#039;s because around this time each year, global leaders gather to discuss collective efforts to limit our… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sun, 16 Nov 2025 15:00:07 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Climate, change, the, news, during, COP30., Weve, got, tips, tackle, your, climate, anxiety</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Every autumn, news feeds get flooded with stories about climate change. That's because around this time each year, global leaders gather to discuss collective efforts to limit our…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Transform fallen leaves into valuable leaf mold for your garden this fall</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/transform-fallen-leaves-into-valuable-leaf-mold-for-your-garden-this-fall</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/transform-fallen-leaves-into-valuable-leaf-mold-for-your-garden-this-fall</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ There are a lot of leaves outside my window, and I’m guessing your view might be similar. This carpet of dead foliage is often viewed as a nuisance,… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sat, 15 Nov 2025 15:06:09 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Transform, fallen, leaves, into, valuable, leaf, mold, for, your, garden, this, fall</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[There are a lot of leaves outside my window, and I’m guessing your view might be similar. This carpet of dead foliage is often viewed as a nuisance,…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Japan’s permanent Pokémon theme park zone announces grand opening date, ticket sale start</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japans-permanent-pokemon-theme-park-zone-announces-grand-opening-date-ticket-sale-start</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japans-permanent-pokemon-theme-park-zone-announces-grand-opening-date-ticket-sale-start</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Waiting can be hard, especially when you’re waiting for something that sounds as cool as the first-ever permanent Pokémon theme park zone. But following the formal reveal of Poképark Kanto back… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 14 Nov 2025 15:03:11 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan’s, permanent, Pokémon, theme, park, zone, announces, grand, opening, date, ticket, sale, start</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Waiting can be hard, especially when you’re waiting for something that sounds as cool as the first-ever permanent Pokémon theme park zone. But following the formal reveal of Poképark Kanto back…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>What it’s like to join a matchmaking party in rural Japan</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/what-its-like-to-join-a-matchmaking-party-in-rural-japan</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/what-its-like-to-join-a-matchmaking-party-in-rural-japan</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Finding love in rural Japan is not impossible. Despite living in one of the country’s least populated prefectures, more than one of my local friends has gotten married… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 13 Nov 2025 15:08:09 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>What, it’s, like, join, matchmaking, party, rural, Japan</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Finding love in rural Japan is not impossible. Despite living in one of the country’s least populated prefectures, more than one of my local friends has gotten married…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>What AI earbuds can’t replace: The value of learning another language</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/what-ai-earbuds-cant-replace-the-value-of-learning-another-language</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/what-ai-earbuds-cant-replace-the-value-of-learning-another-language</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Your host in Osaka, Japan, slips on a pair of headphones and suddenly hears your words transformed into flawless Kansai Japanese. Even better, their reply in their native… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 12 Nov 2025 15:05:09 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>What, earbuds, can’t, replace:, The, value, learning, another, language</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Your host in Osaka, Japan, slips on a pair of headphones and suddenly hears your words transformed into flawless Kansai Japanese. Even better, their reply in their native…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Saudi belly dancers break taboos behind closed doors</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/saudi-belly-dancers-break-taboos-behind-closed-doors</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/saudi-belly-dancers-break-taboos-behind-closed-doors</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ In a fitness studio in Saudi Arabia, dozens of women sway to Arabic music as they practise belly dancing -- an activity that many feel compelled to keep… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 11 Nov 2025 15:01:08 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Saudi, belly, dancers, break, taboos, behind, closed, doors</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[In a fitness studio in Saudi Arabia, dozens of women sway to Arabic music as they practise belly dancing -- an activity that many feel compelled to keep…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Japanese high school starting official idol club extracurricular activity</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japanese-high-school-starting-official-idol-club-extracurricular-activity</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japanese-high-school-starting-official-idol-club-extracurricular-activity</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Extracurricular activities at schools in Japan can be broadly divided into two categories. Some of them are the same sort of sports teams or cultural clubs as you’d find… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 10 Nov 2025 15:07:09 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japanese, high, school, starting, official, idol, club, extracurricular, activity</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Extracurricular activities at schools in Japan can be broadly divided into two categories. Some of them are the same sort of sports teams or cultural clubs as you’d find…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Century&#45;old time capsule found at a Utah church evokes memories of a now fleeting Japantown</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/century-old-time-capsule-found-at-a-utah-church-evokes-memories-of-a-now-fleeting-japantown</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/century-old-time-capsule-found-at-a-utah-church-evokes-memories-of-a-now-fleeting-japantown</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ A historian&#039;s hunch about what might lie hidden within the walls of a Japanese church in Salt Lake City led congregants to uncover a century-old snapshot of a… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sun, 09 Nov 2025 15:04:09 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Century-old, time, capsule, found, Utah, church, evokes, memories, now, fleeting, Japantown</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[A historian's hunch about what might lie hidden within the walls of a Japanese church in Salt Lake City led congregants to uncover a century-old snapshot of a…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Shout&#45;out for yodeling? Swiss seek recognition from U.N. cultural agency as tradition turns modern</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/shout-out-for-yodeling-swiss-seek-recognition-from-un-cultural-agency-as-tradition-turns-modern</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/shout-out-for-yodeling-swiss-seek-recognition-from-un-cultural-agency-as-tradition-turns-modern</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Yodel-ay-hee ... what?! Those famed yodeling calls that for centuries have echoed through the Alps, and more recently have morphed into popular song and folk music, could soon… ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://media.japantoday.com/img/store/c6/6f/49ee657d80fa6cba269d9153e3fda6913164/download/_w1700.jpeg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Sat, 08 Nov 2025 15:01:08 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Shout-out, for, yodeling, Swiss, seek, recognition, from, U.N., cultural, agency, tradition, turns, modern</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Yodel-ay-hee ... what?! Those famed yodeling calls that for centuries have echoed through the Alps, and more recently have morphed into popular song and folk music, could soon…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>The beauty backfire effect: Being too attractive can hurt fitness influencers, new research shows</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/the-beauty-backfire-effect-being-too-attractive-can-hurt-fitness-influencers-new-research-shows</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/the-beauty-backfire-effect-being-too-attractive-can-hurt-fitness-influencers-new-research-shows</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ “Sex sells” has been a mantra in marketing for decades. As researchers who study consumer behavior, we’ve seen plenty of evidence to support it: Attractive models and spokespeople… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 07 Nov 2025 15:07:08 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>The, beauty, backfire, effect:, Being, too, attractive, can, hurt, fitness, influencers, new, research, shows</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[“Sex sells” has been a mantra in marketing for decades. As researchers who study consumer behavior, we’ve seen plenty of evidence to support it: Attractive models and spokespeople…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>New Kyoto experience package lets you film epic samurai battles with your friends</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/new-kyoto-experience-package-lets-you-film-epic-samurai-battles-with-your-friends</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/new-kyoto-experience-package-lets-you-film-epic-samurai-battles-with-your-friends</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Kyoto’s connection to Japan’s history and traditional culture is the main thing that draws travelers to the city, and so there are a number of photo studios and services… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 06 Nov 2025 15:03:07 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>New, Kyoto, experience, package, lets, you, film, epic, samurai, battles, with, your, friends</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Kyoto’s connection to Japan’s history and traditional culture is the main thing that draws travelers to the city, and so there are a number of photo studios and services…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Japan Legal Wedding service offers a path for travelers to hold destination weddings in Japan</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-legal-wedding-service-offers-a-path-for-travelers-to-hold-destination-weddings-in-japan</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-legal-wedding-service-offers-a-path-for-travelers-to-hold-destination-weddings-in-japan</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ As Japan becomes increasingly popular as a travel destination, it stands to reason that there’s also likely growing interest in the country as a place for a destination wedding.… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 05 Nov 2025 15:09:08 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, Legal, Wedding, service, offers, path, for, travelers, hold, destination, weddings, Japan</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[As Japan becomes increasingly popular as a travel destination, it stands to reason that there’s also likely growing interest in the country as a place for a destination wedding.…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>&amp;apos;Shichi&#45;Go&#45;San&amp;apos;: How to celebrate the unique Japanese milestone for kids aged 7&#45;5&#45;3</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/shichi-go-san-how-to-celebrate-the-unique-japanese-milestone-for-kids-aged-7-5-3</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/shichi-go-san-how-to-celebrate-the-unique-japanese-milestone-for-kids-aged-7-5-3</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ November in Japan brings a unique holiday that can only be celebrated a few times in a child’s life. Shichi-Go-San (七五三), literally meaning “seven-five-three,” is an ancient holiday dedicated to… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 04 Nov 2025 15:05:07 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Shichi-Go-San:, How, celebrate, the, unique, Japanese, milestone, for, kids, aged, 7-5-3</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[November in Japan brings a unique holiday that can only be celebrated a few times in a child’s life. Shichi-Go-San (七五三), literally meaning “seven-five-three,” is an ancient holiday dedicated to…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Kanagawa enterprises take on &amp;apos;NY NOW Summer 2025&amp;apos; in push for U.S. expansion</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/kanagawa-enterprises-take-on-ny-now-summer-2025-in-push-for-us-expansion</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/kanagawa-enterprises-take-on-ny-now-summer-2025-in-push-for-us-expansion</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The global market for daily necessities is booming. Private research forecasts substantial growth from approximately $215.2 billion in 2025 to about $263.2 billion by 2030. Recognizing this immense… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 03 Nov 2025 15:02:07 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Kanagawa, enterprises, take, NY, NOW, Summer, 2025, push, for, U.S., expansion</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[The global market for daily necessities is booming. Private research forecasts substantial growth from approximately $215.2 billion in 2025 to about $263.2 billion by 2030. Recognizing this immense…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Coffin meditation sessions being offered by Tokyo relaxation parlor</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/coffin-meditation-sessions-being-offered-by-tokyo-relaxation-parlor</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/coffin-meditation-sessions-being-offered-by-tokyo-relaxation-parlor</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Japan is big on places to relax. Whether it’s a cozy cafe, mountainside hot spring, or just a park with benches along tree-lined footpaths, the appeal of somewhere… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sun, 02 Nov 2025 15:07:06 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Coffin, meditation, sessions, being, offered, Tokyo, relaxation, parlor</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Japan is big on places to relax. Whether it’s a cozy cafe, mountainside hot spring, or just a park with benches along tree-lined footpaths, the appeal of somewhere…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Reports that using &#45;chan in Japan constitutes sexual harassment are at least a little exaggerated</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/reports-that-using-chan-in-japan-constitutes-sexual-harassment-are-at-least-a-little-exaggerated</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/reports-that-using-chan-in-japan-constitutes-sexual-harassment-are-at-least-a-little-exaggerated</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Before we get into the meat of this article, let’s start with a linguistics appetizer. Pretty much anyone with a passing interest in the Japanese language, or even… ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://media.japantoday.com/img/store/ae/90/f4c66e7eed58d9bf5d3d563d493004360e0c/screenshot-2025-10-27-at-12-01-58/_w1700.png" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Sat, 01 Nov 2025 15:04:10 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Reports, that, using, -chan, Japan, constitutes, sexual, harassment, are, least, little, exaggerated</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Before we get into the meat of this article, let’s start with a linguistics appetizer. Pretty much anyone with a passing interest in the Japanese language, or even…]]> </content:encoded>
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<title>Letters from Japan: &amp;apos;He’s on the phone again&amp;apos;</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/letters-from-japan-hes-on-the-phone-again</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/letters-from-japan-hes-on-the-phone-again</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Hey Hilary—He’s On The Phone Again
I never thought I would be writing to anyone for advice, but I’m starting to feel like I’m losing my mind. My… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 31 Oct 2025 15:01:08 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Letters, from, Japan:, He’s, the, phone, again</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Hey Hilary—He’s On The Phone Again
I never thought I would be writing to anyone for advice, but I’m starting to feel like I’m losing my mind. My…]]> </content:encoded>
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<title>Best Cafe Latte&#45;Colored Sand Found in Palawan, Philippines</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/best-cafe-latte-colored-sand-found-in-palawan-philippines</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/best-cafe-latte-colored-sand-found-in-palawan-philippines</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ November 28, 2024 - Manila, Philippines - Carlos de Castro said the Philippines has grown in popularity as a spot for expats from the USA and Europe in recent years.  Palawan&#039;s beautiful coastline given its geographical position tops the list.  Blame it for its white, pink, and café latte colored beaches to the limestone cliffs of rock formations, offering a level of diversity that is rarely found anywhere. Carlos is the interior architect of several iconic Philippine landmarks such as Okada, Solaire, and Raffles Hotel, among others. ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://konnichiwa.today/uploads/images/202412/image_870x580_676d6045372cb.jpg" length="116990" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Thu, 26 Dec 2024 21:56:55 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords></media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: justify;">The allure realm of Retirement Investment is robust by the remarkable influx of international visitors, the highlights of the Philippines’s strong investment in retirement havens, according to Jun Bioco, Project Foreman of Beulah International Development.<br><br></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">BEULAH is set to build Luxury Residences, one is Catalina located in Roxas, Palawan. Beulah's Catalina Brand is a masterpiece, named after the first granddaughter of <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlos-de-castro-3650982b/?originalSubdomain=ph">Carlos de Castro</a>.  A Brand that already defines the architectural work the architect must have put into if it's named after his beloved grandchild … like a gem set by Cartier to cover a high-above-the-much-adorned, said <a href="https://www.noubikko.com/About/">Noubikko</a>, CEO of RPConnect. <br><br></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">The Philippines has a beautiful coastline given its geographical position. As a nation made up of over 7000 islands, the country’s unparalleled coastline can be fairly called home to some of the world’s most beautiful beaches. It introduces initiatives that streamline the processing of long-term visas which are pivotal moves that underscore the sector’s potential for investors.<br><br><span style="text-align: center;">Once the village is developed, spend the day in these crystal blue-green waters or sunning on a secluded café latte-colored sand beach, and, you will forget about life on the mainland…  You may never want to leave, said Jun Polistico, the legendary King of the Philippine Ballad.</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://www.losangelesdaily.net/uploads/images/202412/image_750x_674d9bdbc1b8a.jpg" alt="" width="572" height="430"></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>You don’t need to be a visionary to calculate luxury, this 8.8-hectare of resort comes close to Utopia.  The master plan of the village is created under-the-radar of Carlos de Castro in a mix of paradise—cocktails of zen on the beach, laced with full services which are all included, from massage to the fully stocked kitchen in your villa to all meals and drinks at your command,<span> </span><a href="https://philippine-times.com/nadia-arroyo-and-her-legacy-behind-the-curtain-of-wisdom-prowess">Nadia Arroyo</a><span> </span>said, President of Beulah.<br><br></em><img src="https://www.losangelesdaily.net/uploads/images/202412/image_750x_674d9bd74248c.jpg" alt=""></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>Visiting Japanese Investors in Tumarbong, Roxas,  (names from left to right) Jun Bioco, Carlos de Castro and Noubikko from Beulah Development;   From right to left are the Japanese Guests,   Kozue Aya, Kanako Samejima,Takashi Sakakibara, Sonte Kaishuu, Tomoko Kikuchi, Haru Yamashita, and Shuichi Masamoto </em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://www.losangelesdaily.net/uploads/images/202412/image_750x_674d9bd960796.jpg" alt=""></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>Tumarbong Boasts its finest Cafe Latte colored sands</em></p>]]> </content:encoded>
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<title>Not Tea, Not Milk, but Café Latte Colored Sand Beaches of  Palawan, Philippines</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/not-tea-not-milk-but-cafe-latte-colored-sand-beaches-of-the-philippines-1805</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/not-tea-not-milk-but-cafe-latte-colored-sand-beaches-of-the-philippines-1805</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The island of Palawan has been ranked as one of the top beaches in the world, and it’s easy to see why — it’s simply breathtaking. ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://konnichiwa.today/uploads/images/202501/image_870x580_6774b9e7ea6d4.jpg" length="108558" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Thu, 26 Dec 2024 21:27:31 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator</dc:creator>
<media:keywords></media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>August 24, 2023 -  Manila, Philippines </strong>-  Not Jasmine Tea. Not Milk, but Café Latte- colored beach sand, <a href="https://noubikko.com/About/">Noubikko</a> said, CEO of <a href="https://rpconnect.com">RPConnect.</a></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Palawan Island is one lucky place to have a Cafe latte-colored sand because it means youthful and energetic. It's coffee without caffeine that provides emotional strength, optimism, and uplifting, and most of all, it is fun!<br><br>This golden bright blush is a result of crushed coral mixing with the shells. Travelers often come just to watch how this café latte sand reflects the sun which is constantly flocking the natural sparkles of their colorful underwater show. <a href="https://ph.linkedin.com/in/carlos-de-castro-3650982b">Carlos de Castro</a>, said.  Carlos is the interior architect of several of the iconic landmarks in the Philippines, like Okada, Solaire, and Raffles Hotel.<br><span><em> </em></span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Palawan Beaches are so indulgent that an all-day excursion seems unnecessary. Surrounding that with the gentle murmur of waves and the occasional laughter of fellow beach-goers is a day well-spent that can confuse the mind if there is any available comparison.<br><br>While in Palawan you are guaranteed to be mesmerized by the warm crystal-clear waters that gently lap the shore and an underwater spectacle.  If you are a nature lover, this pristine café latte sand is just magic!  <br><br>So go ahead, lay out your towel, and let the waves set the rhythm. Get your sunglasses ready, and see the fish darting around your toes like a lounging session ready to relax with your feet…  The rest…  leave your imagination explore the underwater rainbow which no word fits better to describe.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://coastalandleisure.com/uploads/images/202412/image_870x_675070aea7525.jpg" alt="" width="587" height="640"></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span><em>This slice of paradise boasts a stunning perfect soaking of the sun and splashing pure bliss.  It's a sunbather’s dream in crystal-clear waves gently kiss the shore, Jun Polistico, the legendary King of the Philippine Ballad said.</em></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://coastalandleisure.com/uploads/images/202412/image_870x_67506f1b3c16a.jpg" alt="" width="595" height="447"></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span><em> In Palawan there’s no need to rush; the sun generously bathes the beaches all year round, <a href="https://philippine-times.com/nadia-arroyo-and-her-legacy-behind-the-curtain-of-wisdom-prowess">Nadia Arroyo</a>, President of <a href="https://beulahinternational.net/">Beulah International Development</a></em></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://coastalandleisure.com/uploads/images/202412/image_870x_6750835ae2488.jpg" alt="" width="581" height="436"></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em><span>The Village of Tumarbong, located in Palawan is a dream where the sun paints the sky, reflecting a spectrum of blues.  With the café latte-colored sand, the sunset will make aurora borealis jealous with plenty of colorful contrast to compare. In the picture, overlooking the most expensive Banwa Resort.  It is the chosen place of Carlos de Castro's luxury residential masterpiece, named after his granddaughter, CATALINA</span><br><br></em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://coastalandleisure.com/uploads/images/202412/image_870x_67507f50a1505.jpg" alt="" width="590" height="609"></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span><em>A visit isn’t complete without snorkeling and gazing at colorful fish that hug your imagination. It’s no wonder visitors leave with dazzling stories and come back for more.  One visit encourages social communication and creativity! </em></span></p>]]> </content:encoded>
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