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<title>Konnichiwa Today &#45; : LIVING</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/rss/category/living</link>
<description>Konnichiwa Today &#45; : LIVING</description>
<dc:language>en</dc:language>
<dc:rights>Copyright 2026 Konnichiwa Today News &#45; All Rights Reserved.</dc:rights>

<item>
<title>Go to hell! …at a limited time historical art exhibit coming to Osaka</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/go-to-hell-at-a-limited-time-historical-art-exhibit-coming-to-osaka</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/go-to-hell-at-a-limited-time-historical-art-exhibit-coming-to-osaka</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The concept of hell has existed in Japan for a long time, but it’s a much more nebulous one compared to the clear-cut fire-and-brimstone version of Western countries.… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 11 Sep 2026 15:07:16 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>hell, …at, limited, time, historical, art, exhibit, coming, Osaka</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[The concept of hell has existed in Japan for a long time, but it’s a much more nebulous one compared to the clear-cut fire-and-brimstone version of Western countries.…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>&amp;apos;The ber months&amp;apos;: Christmas arrives early in the Philippines</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/the-ber-months-christmas-arrives-early-in-the-philippines</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/the-ber-months-christmas-arrives-early-in-the-philippines</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ At a city block-sized market in the Philippine capital, a platoon of plastic Santa Claus figures parachute from the ceiling of a shop already stacked high with Christmas… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 10 Sep 2026 15:03:09 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>The, ber, months:, Christmas, arrives, early, the, Philippines</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[At a city block-sized market in the Philippine capital, a platoon of plastic Santa Claus figures parachute from the ceiling of a shop already stacked high with Christmas…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Teen reading slumps to worst this century due to surge in screen time: OECD</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/teen-reading-slumps-to-worst-this-century-due-to-surge-in-screen-time-oecd</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/teen-reading-slumps-to-worst-this-century-due-to-surge-in-screen-time-oecd</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Teenagers more accustomed to smartphones than Shakespeare are reading at the worst levels seen this century, driving a broader decline ‌in education, a global student assessment found.
The… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 09 Sep 2026 15:07:10 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Teen, reading, slumps, worst, this, century, due, surge, screen, time:, OECD</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Teenagers more accustomed to smartphones than Shakespeare are reading at the worst levels seen this century, driving a broader decline ‌in education, a global student assessment found.
The…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Ode to the remote control, that tiny box that lets you channel your desires without ever getting up</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/ode-to-the-remote-control-that-tiny-box-that-lets-you-channel-your-desires-without-ever-getting-up</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/ode-to-the-remote-control-that-tiny-box-that-lets-you-channel-your-desires-without-ever-getting-up</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ If the TV remote hadn’t been invented, channel surfers and couch potatoes would have to argue about something else. Come to think of it, those surfers and potatoes… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 08 Sep 2026 15:03:16 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Ode, the, remote, control, that, tiny, box, that, lets, you, channel, your, desires, without, ever, getting</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[If the TV remote hadn’t been invented, channel surfers and couch potatoes would have to argue about something else. Come to think of it, those surfers and potatoes…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Kobe junior high schools begin abolishing extracurricular activities, shift to community programs</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/kobe-junior-high-schools-begin-abolishing-extracurricular-activities-shift-to-community-programs</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/kobe-junior-high-schools-begin-abolishing-extracurricular-activities-shift-to-community-programs</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Extracurricular activities are a big deal at schools in Japan, widely considered an important way for adolescents to develop a sense of responsibility and diligence while forging friendships,… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 07 Sep 2026 15:07:11 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Kobe, junior, high, schools, begin, abolishing, extracurricular, activities, shift, community, programs</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Extracurricular activities are a big deal at schools in Japan, widely considered an important way for adolescents to develop a sense of responsibility and diligence while forging friendships,…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>In a scorching Spain, the traditional folding hand fan is having a moment</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/in-a-scorching-spain-the-traditional-folding-hand-fan-is-having-a-moment</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/in-a-scorching-spain-the-traditional-folding-hand-fan-is-having-a-moment</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ In crowded subway cars and sun-drenched plazas, an old-fashioned accessory in Spain has been everywhere thanks to the blistering summer heat.
Small enough to fit into a purse,… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sun, 06 Sep 2026 15:03:11 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>scorching, Spain, the, traditional, folding, hand, fan, having, moment</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[In crowded subway cars and sun-drenched plazas, an old-fashioned accessory in Spain has been everywhere thanks to the blistering summer heat.
Small enough to fit into a purse,…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>New program developed to help students to see benefits of solitude</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/new-program-developed-to-help-students-to-see-benefits-of-solitude</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/new-program-developed-to-help-students-to-see-benefits-of-solitude</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Japanese researchers are seeking to address the issues of loneliness and social isolation among children with a new educational program, hoping to help change perceptions of solitude.
Experiencing… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sat, 05 Sep 2026 15:07:08 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>New, program, developed, help, students, see, benefits, solitude</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Japanese researchers are seeking to address the issues of loneliness and social isolation among children with a new educational program, hoping to help change perceptions of solitude.
Experiencing…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Japan’s first fall color forecast for 2026 is here</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japans-first-fall-color-forecast-for-2026-is-here</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japans-first-fall-color-forecast-for-2026-is-here</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ There are a lot of reasons why fall is a great time of year to travel in Japan, such as sunny weather, not-too-hot, not-too-cold temperatures, and smaller crowds.… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 04 Sep 2026 15:03:10 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan’s, first, fall, color, forecast, for, 2026, here</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[There are a lot of reasons why fall is a great time of year to travel in Japan, such as sunny weather, not-too-hot, not-too-cold temperatures, and smaller crowds.…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Social media companies are trying harder to know which users are kids</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/social-media-companies-are-trying-harder-to-know-which-users-are-kids</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/social-media-companies-are-trying-harder-to-know-which-users-are-kids</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Of the child safety measures agreed to in Meta&#039;s landmark legal settlement, no category contains more detailed requirements than its commitments on age assurance — and for good… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 03 Sep 2026 15:07:06 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Social, media, companies, are, trying, harder, know, which, users, are, kids</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Of the child safety measures agreed to in Meta's landmark legal settlement, no category contains more detailed requirements than its commitments on age assurance — and for good…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Flock to Tomarigi, the viral app that lets you perch in over 1,000 spots throughout Japan</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/flock-to-tomarigi-the-viral-app-that-lets-you-perch-in-over-1000-spots-throughout-japan</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/flock-to-tomarigi-the-viral-app-that-lets-you-perch-in-over-1000-spots-throughout-japan</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ “Try before you buy” is a fantastic concept that saves many a headache when shopping, but what if you could test-drive your next dream vacation before ever stepping… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 02 Sep 2026 15:03:05 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Flock, Tomarigi, the, viral, app, that, lets, you, perch, over, 1, 000, spots, throughout, Japan</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[“Try before you buy” is a fantastic concept that saves many a headache when shopping, but what if you could test-drive your next dream vacation before ever stepping…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Plushies spending nights at Japan museums gain traction</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/plushies-spending-nights-at-japan-museums-gain-traction</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/plushies-spending-nights-at-japan-museums-gain-traction</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Sending favorite stuffed animals to museums and art galleries to &quot;spend the night&quot; and view exhibits on their owners&#039; behalf is proving popular in Japan, with organizers hoping… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 01 Sep 2026 15:07:11 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Plushies, spending, nights, Japan, museums, gain, traction</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Sending favorite stuffed animals to museums and art galleries to "spend the night" and view exhibits on their owners' behalf is proving popular in Japan, with organizers hoping…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Faith, recoded: Japan&amp;apos;s temples are disappearing. Is Buddhism?</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/faith-recoded-japans-temples-are-disappearing-is-buddhism</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/faith-recoded-japans-temples-are-disappearing-is-buddhism</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Off an Arakicho backstreet, among intimate bars and Michelin-starred counters, a sign flashes on a second floor. Inside Vowz Bar, run by Buddhist monks, sultry piano drifts through… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 31 Aug 2026 15:03:14 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Faith, recoded:, Japans, temples, are, disappearing., Buddhism</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Off an Arakicho backstreet, among intimate bars and Michelin-starred counters, a sign flashes on a second floor. Inside Vowz Bar, run by Buddhist monks, sultry piano drifts through…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Japan&amp;apos;s ultramarathons gain popularity as runners seek more than speed</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japans-ultramarathons-gain-popularity-as-runners-seek-more-than-speed</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japans-ultramarathons-gain-popularity-as-runners-seek-more-than-speed</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Runners crossed the finish line with arms outstretched after running for half a day through forests, rivers and historic sites, their bodies drenched in sweat but their faces… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 31 Aug 2026 15:03:12 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japans, ultramarathons, gain, popularity, runners, seek, more, than, speed</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Runners crossed the finish line with arms outstretched after running for half a day through forests, rivers and historic sites, their bodies drenched in sweat but their faces…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>FamilyMart reveals new T&#45;shirt uniforms, relaxes hair color rules for staff… but is it all too casual?</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/familymart-reveals-new-t-shirt-uniforms-relaxes-hair-color-rules-for-staff-but-is-it-all-too-casual</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/familymart-reveals-new-t-shirt-uniforms-relaxes-hair-color-rules-for-staff-but-is-it-all-too-casual</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Japan is known for its formalities, especially when it comes to customer service, where neat uniforms and conservative appearances are often considered part of the job. However, as… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sat, 29 Aug 2026 15:07:12 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>FamilyMart, reveals, new, T-shirt, uniforms, relaxes, hair, color, rules, for, staff…, but, all, too, casual</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Japan is known for its formalities, especially when it comes to customer service, where neat uniforms and conservative appearances are often considered part of the job. However, as…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Here’s how to spend time in nature during and around working hours</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/heres-how-to-spend-time-in-nature-during-and-around-working-hours</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/heres-how-to-spend-time-in-nature-during-and-around-working-hours</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The modern workday unfolds largely indoors. Long hours spent commuting, sitting in meetings and staring at screens can make time outdoors feel like a luxury. Finding time for… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 28 Aug 2026 15:03:09 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Here’s, how, spend, time, nature, during, and, around, working, hours</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[The modern workday unfolds largely indoors. Long hours spent commuting, sitting in meetings and staring at screens can make time outdoors feel like a luxury. Finding time for…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>From nightlife to life at night: Cities must stay open later to beat the rising heat</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/from-nightlife-to-life-at-night-cities-must-stay-open-later-to-beat-the-rising-heat</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/from-nightlife-to-life-at-night-cities-must-stay-open-later-to-beat-the-rising-heat</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Summer in Europe is normally cause for celebration. Not this one, however, which will rank as one of the hottest on record. Wildfires have broken out everywhere from… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 27 Aug 2026 15:07:08 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>From, nightlife, life, night:, Cities, must, stay, open, later, beat, the, rising, heat</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Summer in Europe is normally cause for celebration. Not this one, however, which will rank as one of the hottest on record. Wildfires have broken out everywhere from…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Data suggests increased bear sightings have led to a decrease in mountain climbers across Japan</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/data-suggests-increased-bear-sightings-have-led-to-a-decrease-in-mountain-climbers-across-japan</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/data-suggests-increased-bear-sightings-have-led-to-a-decrease-in-mountain-climbers-across-japan</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ As bears have been increasingly encroaching on human spaces around Japan in recent years, the government has ramped up safety and awareness efforts and some entities have been… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 26 Aug 2026 15:03:06 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Data, suggests, increased, bear, sightings, have, led, decrease, mountain, climbers, across, Japan</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[As bears have been increasingly encroaching on human spaces around Japan in recent years, the government has ramped up safety and awareness efforts and some entities have been…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Esports helping disabled people enter Japan&amp;apos;s workforce</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/esports-helping-disabled-people-enter-japans-workforce</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/esports-helping-disabled-people-enter-japans-workforce</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Competitive video gaming is opening new opportunities for people with disabilities in Japan, with a growing number of organizations using esports to promote social participation and help players… ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://japantoday.com/images/japan-today-social.jpg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Tue, 25 Aug 2026 15:07:08 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Esports, helping, disabled, people, enter, Japans, workforce</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Competitive video gaming is opening new opportunities for people with disabilities in Japan, with a growing number of organizations using esports to promote social participation and help players…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Japanese government is ending its Cool Japan Fund program</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japanese-government-is-ending-its-cool-japan-fund-program</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japanese-government-is-ending-its-cool-japan-fund-program</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Back in 2013, the Japanese government’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry had an idea. What if they created a program to promote the appealing aspects of Japanese… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 24 Aug 2026 15:03:09 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japanese, government, ending, its, Cool, Japan, Fund, program</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Back in 2013, the Japanese government’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry had an idea. What if they created a program to promote the appealing aspects of Japanese…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Muslim couple open rural home in Shimane to build community</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/muslim-couple-open-rural-home-in-shimane-to-build-community</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/muslim-couple-open-rural-home-in-shimane-to-build-community</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Dressed in kimono, a Moroccan Muslim and his Japanese wife whisk matcha tea and welcome visitors to their more than 100-year-old farmhouse in rural western Japan, where they… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 24 Aug 2026 15:03:08 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Muslim, couple, open, rural, home, Shimane, build, community</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Dressed in kimono, a Moroccan Muslim and his Japanese wife whisk matcha tea and welcome visitors to their more than 100-year-old farmhouse in rural western Japan, where they…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Dog&#45;friendly Wanwan Liner bus to begin operations between Tokyo and Osaka this fall</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/dog-friendly-wanwan-liner-bus-to-begin-operations-between-tokyo-and-osaka-this-fall</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/dog-friendly-wanwan-liner-bus-to-begin-operations-between-tokyo-and-osaka-this-fall</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ For many, the worst part of traveling long distance has nothing to do with the journey itself, but the sadness of leaving your beloved furry friends behind. Though… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sun, 23 Aug 2026 15:07:09 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Dog-friendly, Wanwan, Liner, bus, begin, operations, between, Tokyo, and, Osaka, this, fall</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[For many, the worst part of traveling long distance has nothing to do with the journey itself, but the sadness of leaving your beloved furry friends behind. Though…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Dealing with disasters increasingly requires a smartphone – losing access can be a nightmare, but there are ways to prepare</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/dealing-with-disasters-increasingly-requires-a-smartphone-losing-access-can-be-a-nightmare-but-there-are-ways-to-prepare</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/dealing-with-disasters-increasingly-requires-a-smartphone-losing-access-can-be-a-nightmare-but-there-are-ways-to-prepare</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ In the span of a week in August, powerful storms and deadly flooding knocked out power to a half-million people across the Midwest; Tropical Storm Lala cut power… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sat, 22 Aug 2026 15:03:12 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Dealing, with, disasters, increasingly, requires, smartphone, –, losing, access, can, nightmare, but, there, are, ways, prepare</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[In the span of a week in August, powerful storms and deadly flooding knocked out power to a half-million people across the Midwest; Tropical Storm Lala cut power…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Japan’s Rabbit Island in danger of becoming Boar Island; tourists asked to follow feeding rules</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japans-rabbit-island-in-danger-of-becoming-boar-island-tourists-asked-to-follow-feeding-rules</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japans-rabbit-island-in-danger-of-becoming-boar-island-tourists-asked-to-follow-feeding-rules</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ There’s an island in Japan’s Seto Inland Sea called Okunoshima. Written with the kanji 大久野島, Okunoshima’s name translates roughly to “Island with a Field from Long Ago,” which,… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 21 Aug 2026 15:07:13 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan’s, Rabbit, Island, danger, becoming, Boar, Island, tourists, asked, follow, feeding, rules</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[There’s an island in Japan’s Seto Inland Sea called Okunoshima. Written with the kanji 大久野島, Okunoshima’s name translates roughly to “Island with a Field from Long Ago,” which,…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Japanese workers reveal their top five mysterious rules they wish would disappear</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japanese-workers-reveal-their-top-five-mysterious-rules-they-wish-would-disappear</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japanese-workers-reveal-their-top-five-mysterious-rules-they-wish-would-disappear</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Japan is world-renowned for its hospitality, respect for tradition, and attention to detail. In Japanese business culture, there’s also a dedication to politeness, where many customs were originally… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 20 Aug 2026 15:02:12 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japanese, workers, reveal, their, top, five, mysterious, rules, they, wish, would, disappear</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Japan is world-renowned for its hospitality, respect for tradition, and attention to detail. In Japanese business culture, there’s also a dedication to politeness, where many customs were originally…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>The hidden politics of time: How clocks, calendars — and now&#45;contentious time zones — came to be</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/the-hidden-politics-of-time-how-clocks-calendars-and-now-contentious-time-zones-came-to-be</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/the-hidden-politics-of-time-how-clocks-calendars-and-now-contentious-time-zones-came-to-be</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ It flies. It heals all wounds. It can be of the essence, and it can be money. We thrill in the best of it, lament the worst. We&#039;re… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 19 Aug 2026 15:06:07 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>The, hidden, politics, time:, How, clocks, calendars, —, and, now-contentious, time, zones, —, came</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[It flies. It heals all wounds. It can be of the essence, and it can be money. We thrill in the best of it, lament the worst. We're…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Ride a tram that survived the atomic bombing of Hiroshima on a new limited&#45;time history tour</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/ride-a-tram-that-survived-the-atomic-bombing-of-hiroshima-on-a-new-limited-time-history-tour</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/ride-a-tram-that-survived-the-atomic-bombing-of-hiroshima-on-a-new-limited-time-history-tour</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Visitors to Hiroshima tend to have an interest in learning about its past, as it was one of only two cities, alongside Nagasaki, to have experienced an atomic… ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://media.japantoday.com/img/store/9d/ec/3e1132258c6cedf00bc17f3dd36510059701/screenshot-2026-08-15-at-10-53-35/_w1700.png" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Mon, 17 Aug 2026 15:06:11 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Ride, tram, that, survived, the, atomic, bombing, Hiroshima, new, limited-time, history, tour</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Visitors to Hiroshima tend to have an interest in learning about its past, as it was one of only two cities, alongside Nagasaki, to have experienced an atomic…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Art or medicine? Japan&amp;apos;s cosmetic tattoo artists in limbo</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/art-or-medicine-japans-cosmetic-tattoo-artists-in-limbo</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/art-or-medicine-japans-cosmetic-tattoo-artists-in-limbo</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Tattoo artist Remy painstakingly injects tiny dots of pigment into Koki Hatanaka&#039;s bald scalp to mimic hair follicles, performing a gray-zone cosmetic procedure increasingly in the crosshairs of… ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://media.japantoday.com/img/store/07/74/451b8f3fb8d39717d46ced050892268f1148/5207d6114883815dea77158397a73704123a8dfd/_w1700.jpg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Mon, 17 Aug 2026 15:06:09 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Art, medicine, Japans, cosmetic, tattoo, artists, limbo</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Tattoo artist Remy painstakingly injects tiny dots of pigment into Koki Hatanaka's bald scalp to mimic hair follicles, performing a gray-zone cosmetic procedure increasingly in the crosshairs of…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>An &amp;apos;influencer&amp;apos; degree? Colleges bet on content creator major as critics question its value</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/an-influencer-degree-colleges-bet-on-content-creator-major-as-critics-question-its-value</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/an-influencer-degree-colleges-bet-on-content-creator-major-as-critics-question-its-value</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Ask a teen what they want to be when they grow up, and there’s a fair chance being an influencer is on their list.
Digital media and the… ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://media.japantoday.com/img/store/b7/4d/a85e1b1a982abdf10762e7bc31b4873bb156/ap26226633629989/_w1700.jpg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Sun, 16 Aug 2026 15:02:07 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>influencer, degree, Colleges, bet, content, creator, major, critics, question, its, value</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Ask a teen what they want to be when they grow up, and there’s a fair chance being an influencer is on their list.
Digital media and the…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>The livin&amp;apos; is no longer so easy: How carefree dreams of &amp;apos;summertime&amp;apos; are fading in 2026&amp;apos;s swelter</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/the-livin-is-no-longer-so-easy-how-carefree-dreams-of-summertime-are-fading-in-2026s-swelter</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/the-livin-is-no-longer-so-easy-how-carefree-dreams-of-summertime-are-fading-in-2026s-swelter</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to consider the death of the summertime state of mind.
The season itself is in no danger; climate change, mainly caused… ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://media.japantoday.com/img/store/3a/c5/b099c0e46ba571ac3cb0658f934072aa3e80/download/_w1700.jpg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Sat, 15 Aug 2026 15:06:12 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>The, livin, longer, easy:, How, carefree, dreams, summertime, are, fading, 2026s, swelter</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to consider the death of the summertime state of mind.
The season itself is in no danger; climate change, mainly caused…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Chinese users of AI companions bereft after government tightens regulations</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/chinese-users-of-ai-companions-bereft-after-government-tightens-regulations</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/chinese-users-of-ai-companions-bereft-after-government-tightens-regulations</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Li Linlin cried for days after losing her AI boyfriend. 
She had exchanged about 700,000 words in messages over two years, and never got to say goodbye.
Li,… ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://media.japantoday.com/img/store/e9/04/654d55c4bd99803bdc0852404ae54fb4be93/download/_w1700.jpg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Fri, 14 Aug 2026 15:02:07 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Chinese, users, companions, bereft, after, government, tightens, regulations</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Li Linlin cried for days after losing her AI boyfriend. 
She had exchanged about 700,000 words in messages over two years, and never got to say goodbye.
Li,…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Parents putting screens in front of their kids is more about their own stress than other factors</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/parents-putting-screens-in-front-of-their-kids-is-more-about-their-own-stress-than-other-factors</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/parents-putting-screens-in-front-of-their-kids-is-more-about-their-own-stress-than-other-factors</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ It is 6 p.m. after a full workday. A tired parent is trying to prepare dinner and clean up the kitchen before their children’s evening routine implodes. A… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 13 Aug 2026 15:06:08 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Parents, putting, screens, front, their, kids, more, about, their, own, stress, than, other, factors</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[It is 6 p.m. after a full workday. A tired parent is trying to prepare dinner and clean up the kitchen before their children’s evening routine implodes. A…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Tired of city life? Try out Japanese rural life for a few days on an active volcano in Kagoshima</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/tired-of-city-life-try-out-japanese-rural-life-for-a-few-days-on-an-active-volcano-in-kagoshima</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/tired-of-city-life-try-out-japanese-rural-life-for-a-few-days-on-an-active-volcano-in-kagoshima</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Many people have dreams of where they would like to live, and it can sometimes be starkly different from the environment in which they have grown up, but… ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://media.japantoday.com/img/store/e5/0d/1fdeb24f24df5b9603f878e88f5dcb7eafd7/screenshot-2026-08-09-at-13-04-56/_w1700.png" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Wed, 12 Aug 2026 15:02:17 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Tired, city, life, Try, out, Japanese, rural, life, for, few, days, active, volcano, Kagoshima</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Many people have dreams of where they would like to live, and it can sometimes be starkly different from the environment in which they have grown up, but…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>30 spectacular hikes in Japan to celebrate Mountain Day</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/30-spectacular-hikes-in-japan-to-celebrate-mountain-day</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/30-spectacular-hikes-in-japan-to-celebrate-mountain-day</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ August in Japan is well known for its intense mid-summer heat, which regularly sweeps across Tokyo and the country’s coastal cities. Fortunately, Japan features a national holiday tailor-made… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 11 Aug 2026 15:06:07 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>spectacular, hikes, Japan, celebrate, Mountain, Day</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[August in Japan is well known for its intense mid-summer heat, which regularly sweeps across Tokyo and the country’s coastal cities. Fortunately, Japan features a national holiday tailor-made…]]> </content:encoded>
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<title>Japanese toilet aims to attract foreign tourists but not everybody is happy about it</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japanese-toilet-aims-to-attract-foreign-tourists-but-not-everybody-is-happy-about-it</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japanese-toilet-aims-to-attract-foreign-tourists-but-not-everybody-is-happy-about-it</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ In recent years, Japanese public toilets have become known not only as places to do your business but as tourist attractions with creative design features. So you can’t… ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://media.japantoday.com/img/store/ca/0c/46303a2479dd5b24947c8a7eff0d89bff455/screenshot-2026-08-08-at-11-07-06/_w1700.png" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Mon, 10 Aug 2026 15:02:07 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japanese, toilet, aims, attract, foreign, tourists, but, not, everybody, happy, about</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[In recent years, Japanese public toilets have become known not only as places to do your business but as tourist attractions with creative design features. So you can’t…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Tourists chase high&#45;octane thrill in China&amp;apos;s trending biker capital</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/tourists-chase-high-octane-thrill-in-chinas-trending-biker-capital</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/tourists-chase-high-octane-thrill-in-chinas-trending-biker-capital</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The roar of engines fills the night air in China&#039;s Chongqing city as tourists awkwardly clamber onto gleaming motorbikes and cling to muscular drivers to star in personalised… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sun, 09 Aug 2026 15:06:07 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Tourists, chase, high-octane, thrill, Chinas, trending, biker, capital</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[The roar of engines fills the night air in China's Chongqing city as tourists awkwardly clamber onto gleaming motorbikes and cling to muscular drivers to star in personalised…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Toyota Museum’s international retro vehicle parade returns to Aichi this autumn</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/toyota-museums-international-retro-vehicle-parade-returns-to-aichi-this-autumn</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/toyota-museums-international-retro-vehicle-parade-returns-to-aichi-this-autumn</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The Toyota Motor Corporation is a household name in much of the world for being the largest automobile manufacturer on a global scale, but has also had a… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sat, 08 Aug 2026 15:02:12 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Toyota, Museum’s, international, retro, vehicle, parade, returns, Aichi, this, autumn</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[The Toyota Motor Corporation is a household name in much of the world for being the largest automobile manufacturer on a global scale, but has also had a…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Akira Kawasaki on peace, nuclear weapons and the legacy of the &amp;apos;hibakusha&amp;apos;</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/akira-kawasaki-on-peace-nuclear-weapons-and-the-legacy-of-the-hibakusha</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/akira-kawasaki-on-peace-nuclear-weapons-and-the-legacy-of-the-hibakusha</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ For more than three decades, Akira Kawasaki has worked to advance peace, nuclear disarmament and humanitarian advocacy. As a member of the Executive Committee of Peace Boat and… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 07 Aug 2026 15:06:05 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Akira, Kawasaki, peace, nuclear, weapons, and, the, legacy, the, hibakusha</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[For more than three decades, Akira Kawasaki has worked to advance peace, nuclear disarmament and humanitarian advocacy. As a member of the Executive Committee of Peace Boat and…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Where nature, music and traditions meet: Sado Island’s Earth Celebration 2026</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/where-nature-music-and-traditions-meet-sado-islands-earth-celebration-2026</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/where-nature-music-and-traditions-meet-sado-islands-earth-celebration-2026</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ From August 21 to 23, the ground of Sado Island will reverberate, and the air will echo with the beat of drums as the island hosts its biggest… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 05 Aug 2026 15:06:08 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Where, nature, music, and, traditions, meet:, Sado, Island’s, Earth, Celebration, 2026</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[From August 21 to 23, the ground of Sado Island will reverberate, and the air will echo with the beat of drums as the island hosts its biggest…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>New service lets Tokyo tourists display their faces on giant screen at Japan’s busiest intersection</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/new-service-lets-tokyo-tourists-display-their-faces-on-giant-screen-at-japans-busiest-intersection</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/new-service-lets-tokyo-tourists-display-their-faces-on-giant-screen-at-japans-busiest-intersection</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Shibuya’s Scramble Crossing is one of Tokyo’s most iconic locations, and some would say that a trip to Japan’s capital isn’t complete without stopping by to snap a… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 04 Aug 2026 15:02:06 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>New, service, lets, Tokyo, tourists, display, their, faces, giant, screen, Japan’s, busiest, intersection</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Shibuya’s Scramble Crossing is one of Tokyo’s most iconic locations, and some would say that a trip to Japan’s capital isn’t complete without stopping by to snap a…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>&amp;apos;Baby cafes&amp;apos; helping mothers and infants combat isolation in Japan</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/baby-cafes-helping-mothers-and-infants-combat-isolation-in-japan</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/baby-cafes-helping-mothers-and-infants-combat-isolation-in-japan</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ &quot;Baby cafes&quot; serving baby food are opening across Japan, giving new mothers a place to gather and combat postpartum isolation through shared meals and conversation.
In early April,… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 03 Aug 2026 15:06:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Baby, cafes, helping, mothers, and, infants, combat, isolation, Japan</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA["Baby cafes" serving baby food are opening across Japan, giving new mothers a place to gather and combat postpartum isolation through shared meals and conversation.
In early April,…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Make smoking cool again? Pop culture reboots the vice</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/make-smoking-cool-again-pop-culture-reboots-the-vice</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/make-smoking-cool-again-pop-culture-reboots-the-vice</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ From beauty mogul Kylie Jenner lighting up on the cover of Vanity Fair to cigarette trays at singer Dua Lipa&#039;s wedding, the pop culture-verse has rebooted cigarettes as… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sun, 02 Aug 2026 15:02:09 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Make, smoking, cool, again, Pop, culture, reboots, the, vice</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[From beauty mogul Kylie Jenner lighting up on the cover of Vanity Fair to cigarette trays at singer Dua Lipa's wedding, the pop culture-verse has rebooted cigarettes as…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Universal Studios Japan requiring consent form for adults&#45;only horror attraction</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/universal-studios-japan-requiring-consent-form-for-adults-only-horror-attraction-63979</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/universal-studios-japan-requiring-consent-form-for-adults-only-horror-attraction-63979</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ When theme parks in Japan have Halloween events, oftentimes they’re drawing inspiration from the lighthearted aspects of the season, such as playing dress-up and eating candy. That’s how… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sat, 01 Aug 2026 15:02:42 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Universal, Studios, Japan, requiring, consent, form, for, adults-only, horror, attraction</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[When theme parks in Japan have Halloween events, oftentimes they’re drawing inspiration from the lighthearted aspects of the season, such as playing dress-up and eating candy. That’s how…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Dance with demons in Kyoto at this Edo&#45;period Japanese Halloween festival</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/dance-with-demons-in-kyoto-at-this-edo-period-japanese-halloween-festival</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/dance-with-demons-in-kyoto-at-this-edo-period-japanese-halloween-festival</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Many tourists to the ancient Japanese capital of Kyoto are familiar with its shrines and temples, but less know about its links to folklore and the supernatural. For… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 31 Jul 2026 15:04:12 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Dance, with, demons, Kyoto, this, Edo-period, Japanese, Halloween, festival</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Many tourists to the ancient Japanese capital of Kyoto are familiar with its shrines and temples, but less know about its links to folklore and the supernatural. For…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>What talking to taxi drivers taught me about life in Japan</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/what-talking-to-taxi-drivers-taught-me-about-life-in-japan</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/what-talking-to-taxi-drivers-taught-me-about-life-in-japan</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ From legacy media to social media, immigration has become a key topic in Japan today. While there’s a fair amount of discussion about changes to Japan’s official policies… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 30 Jul 2026 15:00:14 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>What, talking, taxi, drivers, taught, about, life, Japan</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[From legacy media to social media, immigration has become a key topic in Japan today. While there’s a fair amount of discussion about changes to Japan’s official policies…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Which country’s foreign tourists spend the most money per&#45;person in Japan? Hint: Not the U..S. or China</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/which-countrys-foreign-tourists-spend-the-most-money-per-person-in-japan-hint-not-the-us-or-china</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/which-countrys-foreign-tourists-spend-the-most-money-per-person-in-japan-hint-not-the-us-or-china</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Recent statistics show that during the first half of 2026 Japan had its first dip in the number of foreign tourists visiting the country since five years ago.… ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://media.japantoday.com/img/store/41/00/84b7edcde2ffd36025f63524eb4344f3e184/screenshot-2026-07-24-at-8-38-05/_w1700.png" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Wed, 29 Jul 2026 15:04:11 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Which, country’s, foreign, tourists, spend, the, most, money, per-person, Japan, Hint:, Not, the, U..S., China</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Recent statistics show that during the first half of 2026 Japan had its first dip in the number of foreign tourists visiting the country since five years ago.…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Japanese government sets up new group to deal with trading card boom</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japanese-government-sets-up-new-group-to-deal-with-trading-card-boom</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japanese-government-sets-up-new-group-to-deal-with-trading-card-boom</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has announced plans to establish a new parliamentary group dedicated to the country’s rapidly growing trading card industry. The group will hold… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 28 Jul 2026 15:00:06 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japanese, government, sets, new, group, deal, with, trading, card, boom</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has announced plans to establish a new parliamentary group dedicated to the country’s rapidly growing trading card industry. The group will hold…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Japan’s ultracompact kei car taxis are now ready for travelers to ride, if you know where to find them</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japans-ultracompact-kei-car-taxis-are-now-ready-for-travelers-to-ride-if-you-know-where-to-find-them</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japans-ultracompact-kei-car-taxis-are-now-ready-for-travelers-to-ride-if-you-know-where-to-find-them</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Though Japan has a famously convenient rail network, there are times when the route and timing you have in mind for your travel plans mean that hailing a… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 27 Jul 2026 15:04:06 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan’s, ultracompact, kei, car, taxis, are, now, ready, for, travelers, ride, you, know, where, find, them</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Though Japan has a famously convenient rail network, there are times when the route and timing you have in mind for your travel plans mean that hailing a…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>As defaults on student loans surge, millions in U.S. trying to get their lives back on track</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/as-defaults-on-student-loans-surge-millions-in-us-trying-to-get-their-lives-back-on-track</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/as-defaults-on-student-loans-surge-millions-in-us-trying-to-get-their-lives-back-on-track</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Life after college did not go as Ashley Dreahn planned.
After starting out as a teacher, she went back to school — and took out more loans —… ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://media.japantoday.com/img/store/75/9c/af4c87db949285871e7bee005f9202ceabfa/download/_w1700.jpeg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Sun, 26 Jul 2026 15:00:07 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>defaults, student, loans, surge, millions, U.S., trying, get, their, lives, back, track</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Life after college did not go as Ashley Dreahn planned.
After starting out as a teacher, she went back to school — and took out more loans —…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Faith vs therapy: Inside the Philippine school for exorcists</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/faith-vs-therapy-inside-the-philippine-school-for-exorcists</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/faith-vs-therapy-inside-the-philippine-school-for-exorcists</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Asia&#039;s only dedicated exorcism center -- designed to train not only Philippine priests but clergy from across the region -- sits just off a busy thoroughfare in Metro… ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://media.japantoday.com/img/store/8c/e7/c822015262a938ae9d00169fbd7896fa1cdd/6981ad5d6521d11d322b65fa47bc5953eb2c2995/_w1700.jpeg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Sat, 25 Jul 2026 15:04:14 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Faith, therapy:, Inside, the, Philippine, school, for, exorcists</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Asia's only dedicated exorcism center -- designed to train not only Philippine priests but clergy from across the region -- sits just off a busy thoroughfare in Metro…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>After job&#45;quitting service, leave&#45;of&#45;absence&#45;request proxy service sees rising demand in Japan</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/after-job-quitting-service-leave-of-absence-request-proxy-service-sees-rising-demand-in-japan</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/after-job-quitting-service-leave-of-absence-request-proxy-service-sees-rising-demand-in-japan</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Job-quitting services have been a thing in Japan for several years now. Essentially you pay a fee to an agency, and they’ll dispatch a representative to inform your… ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://media.japantoday.com/img/store/48/52/60dd9164131eb809713ba0f6cdf239ef94dd/screenshot-2026-07-17-at-14-43-26/_w1700.png" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Fri, 24 Jul 2026 15:00:08 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>After, job-quitting, service, leave-of-absence-request, proxy, service, sees, rising, demand, Japan</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Job-quitting services have been a thing in Japan for several years now. Essentially you pay a fee to an agency, and they’ll dispatch a representative to inform your…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Tai chi practitioners seek balance and well&#45;being in fast&#45;paced Beijing</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/tai-chi-practitioners-seek-balance-and-well-being-in-fast-paced-beijing</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/tai-chi-practitioners-seek-balance-and-well-being-in-fast-paced-beijing</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ One arm raised and the other lowered, hundreds of people move every morning like birds spreading their wings at the heart of Beijing’s Temple of Heaven.
It’s a… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 23 Jul 2026 15:04:07 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Tai, chi, practitioners, seek, balance, and, well-being, fast-paced, Beijing</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[One arm raised and the other lowered, hundreds of people move every morning like birds spreading their wings at the heart of Beijing’s Temple of Heaven.
It’s a…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Enoshima’s magical night lantern festival is back this summer with spectacular views</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/enoshimas-magical-night-lantern-festival-is-back-this-summer-with-spectacular-views</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/enoshimas-magical-night-lantern-festival-is-back-this-summer-with-spectacular-views</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Summer heat in Japan can be pretty brutal for some people, so it means that a lot of the fun seasonal activities pop up in the evenings, when… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 22 Jul 2026 15:00:13 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Enoshima’s, magical, night, lantern, festival, back, this, summer, with, spectacular, views</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Summer heat in Japan can be pretty brutal for some people, so it means that a lot of the fun seasonal activities pop up in the evenings, when…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Costs, customs pose challenges in Japan&amp;apos;s promotion of housework services</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/costs-customs-pose-challenges-in-japans-promotion-of-housework-services</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/costs-customs-pose-challenges-in-japans-promotion-of-housework-services</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Japan is planning to introduce national qualifications for housework services to address the problem of people quitting caregiving jobs. However, experts are questioning whether formal recognition of skills… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 2026 15:04:06 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Costs, customs, pose, challenges, Japans, promotion, housework, services</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Japan is planning to introduce national qualifications for housework services to address the problem of people quitting caregiving jobs. However, experts are questioning whether formal recognition of skills…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Lolita fashion from Japan finds growing fan base in China</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/lolita-fashion-from-japan-finds-growing-fan-base-in-china</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/lolita-fashion-from-japan-finds-growing-fan-base-in-china</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Japanese Lolita fashion, with its lace-trimmed dresses, ruffled collars and voluminous skirts inspired by Western dolls, is winning over a growing number of young women in China, fueling… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 20 Jul 2026 15:00:08 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Lolita, fashion, from, Japan, finds, growing, fan, base, China</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Japanese Lolita fashion, with its lace-trimmed dresses, ruffled collars and voluminous skirts inspired by Western dolls, is winning over a growing number of young women in China, fueling…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Tokyo’s Giga Mart lets visitors &amp;apos;steal&amp;apos; from a convenience store… if cameras don’t catch you</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/tokyos-giga-mart-lets-visitors-steal-from-a-convenience-store-if-cameras-dont-catch-you</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/tokyos-giga-mart-lets-visitors-steal-from-a-convenience-store-if-cameras-dont-catch-you</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ A new immersive exhibition opening in Tokyo is giving visitors permission to do something they’d never get away with in real life: steal from a convenience store.
There… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sat, 18 Jul 2026 15:00:12 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Tokyo’s, Giga, Mart, lets, visitors, steal, from, convenience, store…, cameras, don’t, catch, you</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[A new immersive exhibition opening in Tokyo is giving visitors permission to do something they’d never get away with in real life: steal from a convenience store.
There…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Japan&amp;apos;s first pro street dance league aims for global audience</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japans-first-pro-street-dance-league-aims-for-global-audience</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japans-first-pro-street-dance-league-aims-for-global-audience</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Breakdancers and other performers in Japan&#039;s first professional hip-hop dance league are helping drive growing interest in street dance among young people as a new form of entertainment… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 17 Jul 2026 15:04:09 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japans, first, pro, street, dance, league, aims, for, global, audience</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Breakdancers and other performers in Japan's first professional hip-hop dance league are helping drive growing interest in street dance among young people as a new form of entertainment…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Set sail on top of a giant pirate ship to watch Japan’s summer fireworks</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/set-sail-on-top-of-a-giant-pirate-ship-to-watch-japans-summer-fireworks</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/set-sail-on-top-of-a-giant-pirate-ship-to-watch-japans-summer-fireworks</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Combining “summer” and “Japan” together, most people will think of one of three things: high humidity, insufferable mosquitoes, or summer festivals. One of the ways that Japanese people… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 16 Jul 2026 15:00:08 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Set, sail, top, giant, pirate, ship, watch, Japan’s, summer, fireworks</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Combining “summer” and “Japan” together, most people will think of one of three things: high humidity, insufferable mosquitoes, or summer festivals. One of the ways that Japanese people…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Tofu vendor delivers much more than healthy food to an east Tokyo neighborhood</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/tofu-vendor-delivers-much-more-than-healthy-food-to-an-east-tokyo-neighborhood</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/tofu-vendor-delivers-much-more-than-healthy-food-to-an-east-tokyo-neighborhood</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Akiko Sugaya wheels a cart through the alley-like streets of eastern Tokyo selling tofu, the protein-rich staple favored in much of Asia.
But delivering soybean curd in all… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 15 Jul 2026 15:04:07 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Tofu, vendor, delivers, much, more, than, healthy, food, east, Tokyo, neighborhood</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Akiko Sugaya wheels a cart through the alley-like streets of eastern Tokyo selling tofu, the protein-rich staple favored in much of Asia.
But delivering soybean curd in all…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>How a British man became Japan’s cheese guy in Okinawa</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/how-a-british-man-became-japans-cheese-guy-in-okinawa</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/how-a-british-man-became-japans-cheese-guy-in-okinawa</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Look at a map of Okinawa, and you probably think of blue sea and palm trees. A little deeper, and perhaps you picture a glass of habushu (snake… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 14 Jul 2026 15:00:10 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>How, British, man, became, Japan’s, cheese, guy, Okinawa</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Look at a map of Okinawa, and you probably think of blue sea and palm trees. A little deeper, and perhaps you picture a glass of habushu (snake…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Japan’s Pokémon hot spring reinstalls all damaged statues, adds no&#45;touching rule</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japans-pokemon-hot-spring-reinstalls-all-damaged-statues-adds-no-touching-rule</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japans-pokemon-hot-spring-reinstalls-all-damaged-statues-adds-no-touching-rule</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Japanese folk wisdom holds that visiting a hot spring isn’t just a fun and relaxing way to spend the day, but that the naturally heated waters also provide… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 14 Jul 2026 15:00:08 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan’s, Pokémon, hot, spring, reinstalls, all, damaged, statues, adds, no-touching, rule</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Japanese folk wisdom holds that visiting a hot spring isn’t just a fun and relaxing way to spend the day, but that the naturally heated waters also provide…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>5 dangerous bugs in Japan and how to avoid them</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/5-dangerous-bugs-in-japan-and-how-to-avoid-them</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/5-dangerous-bugs-in-japan-and-how-to-avoid-them</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ After Japan’s rainy season ends, you may want to keep an eye out for some unwanted house guests. Just like how there are lots of unique things to… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 13 Jul 2026 15:04:09 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>dangerous, bugs, Japan, and, how, avoid, them</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[After Japan’s rainy season ends, you may want to keep an eye out for some unwanted house guests. Just like how there are lots of unique things to…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Chinese repairwomen smash stereotypes with power tools</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/chinese-repairwomen-smash-stereotypes-with-power-tools</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/chinese-repairwomen-smash-stereotypes-with-power-tools</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The sound of pliers clicking filled a workshop in eastern China&#039;s Hangzhou as a group of women practiced stripping wires, their female instructor moving around the classroom to… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sun, 12 Jul 2026 15:00:09 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Chinese, repairwomen, smash, stereotypes, with, power, tools</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[The sound of pliers clicking filled a workshop in eastern China's Hangzhou as a group of women practiced stripping wires, their female instructor moving around the classroom to…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Who says a vegetable garden needs full sun? Some plants do well in shadier spots</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/who-says-a-vegetable-garden-needs-full-sun-some-plants-do-well-in-shadier-spots</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/who-says-a-vegetable-garden-needs-full-sun-some-plants-do-well-in-shadier-spots</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Conventional wisdom says vegetable gardens need full sun, but a productive garden doesn’t always require the recommended six to eight hours of direct sunlight.
If fences, trees or… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sat, 11 Jul 2026 15:04:08 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Who, says, vegetable, garden, needs, full, sun, Some, plants, well, shadier, spots</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Conventional wisdom says vegetable gardens need full sun, but a productive garden doesn’t always require the recommended six to eight hours of direct sunlight.
If fences, trees or…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Tochigi man shares his family’s process for creating 16 years worth of rice paddy art</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/tochigi-man-shares-his-familys-process-for-creating-16-years-worth-of-rice-paddy-art</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/tochigi-man-shares-his-familys-process-for-creating-16-years-worth-of-rice-paddy-art</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ For the 16th year, the Nakano family in Nasushiobara, Tochigi Prefecture creates stunning rice paddy art for the public to enjoy. Part of their mission is for visitors… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 10 Jul 2026 15:00:11 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Tochigi, man, shares, his, family’s, process, for, creating, years, worth, rice, paddy, art</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[For the 16th year, the Nakano family in Nasushiobara, Tochigi Prefecture creates stunning rice paddy art for the public to enjoy. Part of their mission is for visitors…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>As South Korean Buddhism woos Gen Z, how hip is too hip?</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/as-south-korean-buddhism-woos-gen-z-how-hip-is-too-hip</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/as-south-korean-buddhism-woos-gen-z-how-hip-is-too-hip</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ In fast-secularising South Korea, Buddhism is regaining popularity thanks to a &quot;hip&quot; trend wooing Gen Z with festivals, fashion, robots and DJs, even as some fear for the… ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://media.japantoday.com/img/store/6b/cf/09c49d4a06a60ba99be16fd6f358d8a3cdd1/4c8982eac05226554ad74bc98608496fae9aab93/_w1700.jpeg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Thu, 09 Jul 2026 15:04:07 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>South, Korean, Buddhism, woos, Gen, how, hip, too, hip</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[In fast-secularising South Korea, Buddhism is regaining popularity thanks to a "hip" trend wooing Gen Z with festivals, fashion, robots and DJs, even as some fear for the…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Japan has a new maid school, and it’s now accepting applicants for its first term</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-has-a-new-maid-school-and-its-now-accepting-applicants-for-its-first-term</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-has-a-new-maid-school-and-its-now-accepting-applicants-for-its-first-term</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ “Maid School Japan” sounds like a pre-formed multimedia franchise. It’s extremely easy to imagine the trajectory of a 13-episode anime series about earnest newly enrolled students studying to… ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://media.japantoday.com/img/store/36/7f/91eb038a2cd0908be6d25596363407ed1880/screenshot-2026-07-04-at-10-53-39/_w1700.png" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Wed, 08 Jul 2026 15:00:09 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, has, new, maid, school, and, it’s, now, accepting, applicants, for, its, first, term</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[“Maid School Japan” sounds like a pre-formed multimedia franchise. It’s extremely easy to imagine the trajectory of a 13-episode anime series about earnest newly enrolled students studying to…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Japanese train company brings back beloved &amp;apos;patapata&amp;apos; departure board…with a clever digital twist</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japanese-train-company-brings-back-beloved-patapata-departure-boardwith-a-clever-digital-twist</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japanese-train-company-brings-back-beloved-patapata-departure-boardwith-a-clever-digital-twist</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ For railway fans in Japan, few station sights are as nostalgic as the patapata departure board. Affectionately named after the patapata (Japanese onomatopoeia for a clattering sound) they… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 07 Jul 2026 15:04:08 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japanese, train, company, brings, back, beloved, patapata, departure, board…with, clever, digital, twist</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[For railway fans in Japan, few station sights are as nostalgic as the patapata departure board. Affectionately named after the patapata (Japanese onomatopoeia for a clattering sound) they…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Eiko Kadono, author of ‘Kiki’s Delivery Service,’ still believes in the magic of books at 91</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/eiko-kadono-author-of-kikis-delivery-service-still-believes-in-the-magic-of-books-at-91</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/eiko-kadono-author-of-kikis-delivery-service-still-believes-in-the-magic-of-books-at-91</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Eiko Kadono, the author behind Japan’s most famous — and almost certainly most beloved — literary witch, has a little trouble going up the stairs these days.
At… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 06 Jul 2026 15:00:14 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Eiko, Kadono, author, ‘Kiki’s, Delivery, Service, ’, still, believes, the, magic, books</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Eiko Kadono, the author behind Japan’s most famous — and almost certainly most beloved — literary witch, has a little trouble going up the stairs these days.
At…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Cat stationmasters in Japan: Rural rail’s cutest savior</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/cat-stationmasters-in-japan-rural-rails-cutest-savior</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/cat-stationmasters-in-japan-rural-rails-cutest-savior</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ If you happen to travel around rural Japan by rail, there’s a chance you’ll encounter a cat stationmaster. Japan has a few remarkable local train lines where a… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 06 Jul 2026 15:00:12 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Cat, stationmasters, Japan:, Rural, rail’s, cutest, savior</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[If you happen to travel around rural Japan by rail, there’s a chance you’ll encounter a cat stationmaster. Japan has a few remarkable local train lines where a…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Why you shouldn’t feel guilty about using manga for studying and the top series for learning</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/why-you-shouldnt-feel-guilty-about-using-manga-for-studying-and-the-top-series-for-learning</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/why-you-shouldnt-feel-guilty-about-using-manga-for-studying-and-the-top-series-for-learning</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Was there ever a time growing up when you got yelled at for reading comics instead of studying? At the time, little did those grown-ups probably know that… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sun, 05 Jul 2026 15:04:08 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Why, you, shouldn’t, feel, guilty, about, using, manga, for, studying, and, the, top, series, for, learning</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Was there ever a time growing up when you got yelled at for reading comics instead of studying? At the time, little did those grown-ups probably know that…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Pet&#45;friendly properties prove popular in Japan for both tenants, landlords</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/pet-friendly-properties-prove-popular-in-japan-for-both-tenants-landlords</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/pet-friendly-properties-prove-popular-in-japan-for-both-tenants-landlords</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Condominiums with pet-friendly facilities and designs are proving popular not only with cat and dog owners but also landlords who can charge higher-than-average rents and expect long-term tenants.… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sat, 04 Jul 2026 15:00:07 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Pet-friendly, properties, prove, popular, Japan, for, both, tenants, landlords</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Condominiums with pet-friendly facilities and designs are proving popular not only with cat and dog owners but also landlords who can charge higher-than-average rents and expect long-term tenants.…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Nagoya to host World Cosplay Summit</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/nagoya-to-host-world-cosplay-summit</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/nagoya-to-host-world-cosplay-summit</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ The World Cosplay Summit (WCS) in Nagoya is one of the world’s largest international cosplay festivals. This event brings together cosplayers and anime, manga and video game fans… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2026 15:04:07 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Nagoya, host, World, Cosplay, Summit</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[The World Cosplay Summit (WCS) in Nagoya is one of the world’s largest international cosplay festivals. This event brings together cosplayers and anime, manga and video game fans…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Japanese theme park adding Immersive Death Game with a &amp;apos;bomb collar&amp;apos; you have to wear</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japanese-theme-park-adding-immersive-death-game-with-a-bomb-collar-you-have-to-wear</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japanese-theme-park-adding-immersive-death-game-with-a-bomb-collar-you-have-to-wear</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Many would say that Japan’s Huis Ten Bosch theme park, located in Nagasaki Prefecture, is more about the atmosphere than the attractions. Inspired by the Dutch royal palace… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 02 Jul 2026 15:00:13 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japanese, theme, park, adding, Immersive, Death, Game, with, bomb, collar, you, have, wear</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Many would say that Japan’s Huis Ten Bosch theme park, located in Nagasaki Prefecture, is more about the atmosphere than the attractions. Inspired by the Dutch royal palace…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Japan expands disability employment support amid impartiality concerns</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-expands-disability-employment-support-amid-impartiality-concerns</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-expands-disability-employment-support-amid-impartiality-concerns</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ A new welfare service designed to help disabled people find jobs suited to their abilities is spreading across Japan, but concerns remain that providers may steer users toward… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 01 Jul 2026 15:04:07 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, expands, disability, employment, support, amid, impartiality, concerns</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[A new welfare service designed to help disabled people find jobs suited to their abilities is spreading across Japan, but concerns remain that providers may steer users toward…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Why film photography is booming in Japan</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/why-film-photography-is-booming-in-japan</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/why-film-photography-is-booming-in-japan</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Film cameras were supposed to disappear. Instead, more than a decade after film was declared all but dead, they&#039;re becoming fashionable again.
From Gen Z shoppers hunting for… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 30 Jun 2026 15:00:09 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Why, film, photography, booming, Japan</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Film cameras were supposed to disappear. Instead, more than a decade after film was declared all but dead, they're becoming fashionable again.
From Gen Z shoppers hunting for…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Events like World Cup can inspire young athletes and put parents on unfamiliar turf</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/events-like-world-cup-can-inspire-young-athletes-and-put-parents-on-unfamiliar-turf</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/events-like-world-cup-can-inspire-young-athletes-and-put-parents-on-unfamiliar-turf</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Like the Winter Olympics, Masters Tournament and Formula 1 races before it, the World Cup is inspiring some young people to try a new sport and others to… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 29 Jun 2026 15:04:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Events, like, World, Cup, can, inspire, young, athletes, and, put, parents, unfamiliar, turf</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Like the Winter Olympics, Masters Tournament and Formula 1 races before it, the World Cup is inspiring some young people to try a new sport and others to…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>&amp;apos;Alcohol is the best medicine&amp;apos; removed from Japanese government website</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/alcohol-is-the-best-medicine-removed-from-japanese-government-website</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/alcohol-is-the-best-medicine-removed-from-japanese-government-website</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Japan has long been a country that has embraced alcohol consumption. After-work drinking was considered mandatory at almost every company not too long ago, and you can still… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sun, 28 Jun 2026 15:00:13 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Alcohol, the, best, medicine, removed, from, Japanese, government, website</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Japan has long been a country that has embraced alcohol consumption. After-work drinking was considered mandatory at almost every company not too long ago, and you can still…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Everyone experiences loss and grief – but that doesn’t make it any easier to talk with kids about it</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/everyone-experiences-loss-and-grief-but-that-doesnt-make-it-any-easier-to-talk-with-kids-about-it</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/everyone-experiences-loss-and-grief-but-that-doesnt-make-it-any-easier-to-talk-with-kids-about-it</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ When I was a school social worker, a teary-eyed father once came to the school to tell his 4-year-old daughter’s teacher that the child’s mother had been in… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sat, 27 Jun 2026 15:04:10 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Everyone, experiences, loss, and, grief, –, but, that, doesn’t, make, any, easier, talk, with, kids, about</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[When I was a school social worker, a teary-eyed father once came to the school to tell his 4-year-old daughter’s teacher that the child’s mother had been in…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Why women’s education isn’t driving Japan’s birth rate decline</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/why-womens-education-isnt-driving-japans-birth-rate-decline</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/why-womens-education-isnt-driving-japans-birth-rate-decline</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ As Japan’s birth rate continues to decline to record lows, officials are quick to point the finger at women climbing the career ladder. It’s a misogynistic narrative that… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 26 Jun 2026 15:00:09 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Why, women’s, education, isn’t, driving, Japan’s, birth, rate, decline</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[As Japan’s birth rate continues to decline to record lows, officials are quick to point the finger at women climbing the career ladder. It’s a misogynistic narrative that…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Japan opens shrine for plush toys in Kyoto, offering memorial rites and a resting place for remains</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-opens-shrine-for-plush-toys-in-kyoto-offering-memorial-rites-and-a-resting-place-for-remains</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japan-opens-shrine-for-plush-toys-in-kyoto-offering-memorial-rites-and-a-resting-place-for-remains</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ A unique new shrine held its founding ceremony in Japan on June 20, and attendance wasn’t limited to people, as plush toys were warmly welcomed too. That’s because… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 25 Jun 2026 15:03:08 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japan, opens, shrine, for, plush, toys, Kyoto, offering, memorial, rites, and, resting, place, for, remains</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[A unique new shrine held its founding ceremony in Japan on June 20, and attendance wasn’t limited to people, as plush toys were warmly welcomed too. That’s because…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Fukuoka schools struggling to get kids to switch from milk to tea in lunches</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/fukuoka-schools-struggling-to-get-kids-to-switch-from-milk-to-tea-in-lunches</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/fukuoka-schools-struggling-to-get-kids-to-switch-from-milk-to-tea-in-lunches</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Small cartons of milk have long been a quintessential part of school lunches, even in Japan, where milk isn’t quite the widely drunk beverage that it is in… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 24 Jun 2026 15:07:07 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Fukuoka, schools, struggling, get, kids, switch, from, milk, tea, lunches</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Small cartons of milk have long been a quintessential part of school lunches, even in Japan, where milk isn’t quite the widely drunk beverage that it is in…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Tokyo has a cafe that prohibits talking inside</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/tokyo-has-a-cafe-that-prohibits-talking-inside</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/tokyo-has-a-cafe-that-prohibits-talking-inside</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ In Tokyo you’re never very far away from a convenience store or vending machine, so going to a cafe to have a drink is about more than just… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 23 Jun 2026 15:03:06 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Tokyo, has, cafe, that, prohibits, talking, inside</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[In Tokyo you’re never very far away from a convenience store or vending machine, so going to a cafe to have a drink is about more than just…]]> </content:encoded>
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<title>Amid depopulation, Buddhist priests aim for community revival</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/amid-depopulation-buddhist-priests-aim-for-community-revival</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/amid-depopulation-buddhist-priests-aim-for-community-revival</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ On a Sunday in April, Sairinji temple in Fukuoka in southwestern Japan was bustling with people celebrating Buddha&#039;s birthday. But the religious festivities were also a prime example… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 22 Jun 2026 15:07:05 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Amid, depopulation, Buddhist, priests, aim, for, community, revival</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[On a Sunday in April, Sairinji temple in Fukuoka in southwestern Japan was bustling with people celebrating Buddha's birthday. But the religious festivities were also a prime example…]]> </content:encoded>
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<title>People are marrying holograms and making friends with chatbots. But can AI bring true happiness?</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/people-are-marrying-holograms-and-making-friends-with-chatbots-but-can-ai-bring-true-happiness</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/people-are-marrying-holograms-and-making-friends-with-chatbots-but-can-ai-bring-true-happiness</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Can technology really replace human relationships? As philosophy scholars who focus on human happiness and on artificial intelligence (AI), we tackle this question in a recent paper.
In… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sun, 21 Jun 2026 15:03:06 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>People, are, marrying, holograms, and, making, friends, with, chatbots., But, can, bring, true, happiness</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Can technology really replace human relationships? As philosophy scholars who focus on human happiness and on artificial intelligence (AI), we tackle this question in a recent paper.
In…]]> </content:encoded>
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<title>Dragon Boat Festival links modern China to traditions more than 2,000 years old</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/dragon-boat-festival-links-modern-china-to-traditions-more-than-2000-years-old</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/dragon-boat-festival-links-modern-china-to-traditions-more-than-2000-years-old</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Dragon boat races, lion dances and other festivities marked the Dragon Boat Festival on Friday across mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. The more than 2,000-year-old holiday is… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sat, 20 Jun 2026 15:07:07 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Dragon, Boat, Festival, links, modern, China, traditions, more, than, 2, 000, years, old</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Dragon boat races, lion dances and other festivities marked the Dragon Boat Festival on Friday across mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. The more than 2,000-year-old holiday is…]]> </content:encoded>
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<title>Pachinko machines get new life and become big hit in Japanese assisted care facility</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/pachinko-machines-get-new-life-and-become-big-hit-in-japanese-assisted-care-facility</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/pachinko-machines-get-new-life-and-become-big-hit-in-japanese-assisted-care-facility</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ A lot of negative things have been said about pachinko over the years. The pinball-like game’s parlors are noisy, garish blights on communities that encourage quasi-gambling and rudely… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 19 Jun 2026 15:03:05 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Pachinko, machines, get, new, life, and, become, big, hit, Japanese, assisted, care, facility</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[A lot of negative things have been said about pachinko over the years. The pinball-like game’s parlors are noisy, garish blights on communities that encourage quasi-gambling and rudely…]]> </content:encoded>
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<title>Moving to Japan with kids: Tips for a smooth transition</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/moving-to-japan-with-kids-tips-for-a-smooth-transition</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/moving-to-japan-with-kids-tips-for-a-smooth-transition</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Moving to Japan with kids is an exciting adventure, and the more prepared you are, the smoother the transition will be — especially if you haven’t lived abroad… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 18 Jun 2026 15:07:04 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Moving, Japan, with, kids:, Tips, for, smooth, transition</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Moving to Japan with kids is an exciting adventure, and the more prepared you are, the smoother the transition will be — especially if you haven’t lived abroad…]]> </content:encoded>
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<title>Sanrio Hotel Floria isn’t actually a hotel, but it’s still a must visit for fans traveling in Tokyo</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/sanrio-hotel-floria-isnt-actually-a-hotel-but-its-still-a-must-visit-for-fans-traveling-in-tokyo</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/sanrio-hotel-floria-isnt-actually-a-hotel-but-its-still-a-must-visit-for-fans-traveling-in-tokyo</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Sanrio fans planning to visit Tokyo later this summer will want to make sure to include the Hotel Floria in their plans. You’ll notice though, that we’re not… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 17 Jun 2026 15:03:06 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Sanrio, Hotel, Floria, isn’t, actually, hotel, but, it’s, still, must, visit, for, fans, traveling, Tokyo</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Sanrio fans planning to visit Tokyo later this summer will want to make sure to include the Hotel Floria in their plans. You’ll notice though, that we’re not…]]> </content:encoded>
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<title>How Americans celebrated the bicentennial — with fireworks, a Freedom Train and Farrah</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/how-americans-celebrated-the-bicentennial-with-fireworks-a-freedom-train-and-farrah</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/how-americans-celebrated-the-bicentennial-with-fireworks-a-freedom-train-and-farrah</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ In 1976&#039;s “ Rocky,” heavyweight champion Apollo Creed arrives for the title fight dressed as George Washington, reenacting the crossing of the Delaware as models costumed as the… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 16 Jun 2026 15:07:05 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>How, Americans, celebrated, the, bicentennial, —, with, fireworks, Freedom, Train, and, Farrah</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[In 1976's “ Rocky,” heavyweight champion Apollo Creed arrives for the title fight dressed as George Washington, reenacting the crossing of the Delaware as models costumed as the…]]> </content:encoded>
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<title>Date handsome cockroaches in a new dating sim from one of Japan’s leading pest control companies</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/date-handsome-cockroaches-in-a-new-dating-sim-from-one-of-japans-leading-pest-control-companies</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/date-handsome-cockroaches-in-a-new-dating-sim-from-one-of-japans-leading-pest-control-companies</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Summer in Japan means many things: the dazzlingly vibrant fireworks displays, the refreshing seasonal treats, and sipping on some cold beer in some of the country’s stunning beer… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 15 Jun 2026 15:03:05 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Date, handsome, cockroaches, new, dating, sim, from, one, Japan’s, leading, pest, control, companies</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Summer in Japan means many things: the dazzlingly vibrant fireworks displays, the refreshing seasonal treats, and sipping on some cold beer in some of the country’s stunning beer…]]> </content:encoded>
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<title>Takedao Tunnel Trail: Japan’s abandoned railway hike through dark tunnels</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/takedao-tunnel-trail-japans-abandoned-railway-hike-through-dark-tunnels</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/takedao-tunnel-trail-japans-abandoned-railway-hike-through-dark-tunnels</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ In the mountains of Hyogo Prefecture, there’s a walking trail that follows an abandoned railway, tracing the old train tracks and leading through lonely tunnels. In a couple… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sun, 14 Jun 2026 15:07:06 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Takedao, Tunnel, Trail:, Japan’s, abandoned, railway, hike, through, dark, tunnels</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[In the mountains of Hyogo Prefecture, there’s a walking trail that follows an abandoned railway, tracing the old train tracks and leading through lonely tunnels. In a couple…]]> </content:encoded>
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<title>Kids learn to bully from adults’ threats, manipulation and criticism: How parents can model better tactics</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/kids-learn-to-bully-from-adults-threats-manipulation-and-criticism-how-parents-can-model-better-tactics</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/kids-learn-to-bully-from-adults-threats-manipulation-and-criticism-how-parents-can-model-better-tactics</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ “Do what I say, or you’re not invited to my birthday party!”
“I’m not going to be your partner on the project unless you give me the treat… ]]></description>
<enclosure url="https://media.japantoday.com/img/store/43/fa/9aa3df3c01ecb3a3e80ce17eed7ebea27052/istock-1178346866/_w1700.jpeg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<pubDate>Sat, 13 Jun 2026 15:03:06 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Kids, learn, bully, from, adults’, threats, manipulation, and, criticism:, How, parents, can, model, better, tactics</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[“Do what I say, or you’re not invited to my birthday party!”
“I’m not going to be your partner on the project unless you give me the treat…]]> </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>
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<pubDate>Thu, 26 Dec 2024 21:56:55 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</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 - Senior News Editor</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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