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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>Salmon, birch sap give Hokkaido cosmetics a local flavor</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/salmon-birch-sap-give-hokkaido-cosmetics-a-local-flavor</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/salmon-birch-sap-give-hokkaido-cosmetics-a-local-flavor</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Cosmetics made with ingredients ranging from salmon and sugar beet to birch sap are attracting growing interest, with manufacturers tapping Hokkaido&#039;s natural resources while forging closer ties with… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 05 Oct 2026 15:07:09 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Salmon, birch, sap, give, Hokkaido, cosmetics, local, flavor</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Cosmetics made with ingredients ranging from salmon and sugar beet to birch sap are attracting growing interest, with manufacturers tapping Hokkaido's natural resources while forging closer ties with…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>In China’s Taoist martial arts schools, fighting is only part of the lesson</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/in-chinas-taoist-martial-arts-schools-fighting-is-only-part-of-the-lesson</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/in-chinas-taoist-martial-arts-schools-fighting-is-only-part-of-the-lesson</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ There was a time when Chinese master Yuan Shimao thought martial arts were all about punching and kicking. As a young practitioner, he focused on speed and strength.… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sun, 04 Oct 2026 15:03:08 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>China’s, Taoist, martial, arts, schools, fighting, only, part, the, lesson</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[There was a time when Chinese master Yuan Shimao thought martial arts were all about punching and kicking. As a young practitioner, he focused on speed and strength.…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Artist Juliet Smyth puts heart into her work for Edwards Lifesciences</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/artist-juliet-smyth-puts-heart-into-her-work-for-edwards-lifesciences</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/artist-juliet-smyth-puts-heart-into-her-work-for-edwards-lifesciences</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Corporate communications officer and artist Juliet Smyth had always considered her two passions — working for an organization with a social purpose and expressing herself through drawing —… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 02 Oct 2026 15:03:08 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Artist, Juliet, Smyth, puts, heart, into, her, work, for, Edwards, Lifesciences</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Corporate communications officer and artist Juliet Smyth had always considered her two passions — working for an organization with a social purpose and expressing herself through drawing —…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Bringing products from Kanagawa to the U.S. market</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/bringing-products-from-kanagawa-to-the-us-market</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/bringing-products-from-kanagawa-to-the-us-market</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ From August 2 to 4, NY NOW Summer 2026, one of North America&#039;s largest international trade shows for gifts, home products and lifestyle goods, was held in New… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 01 Oct 2026 15:07:08 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Bringing, products, from, Kanagawa, the, U.S., market</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[From August 2 to 4, NY NOW Summer 2026, one of North America's largest international trade shows for gifts, home products and lifestyle goods, was held in New…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Giggle for God: America’s witty church signs aim to inspire, attract drivers and passersby</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/giggle-for-god-americas-witty-church-signs-aim-to-inspire-attract-drivers-and-passersby</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/giggle-for-god-americas-witty-church-signs-aim-to-inspire-attract-drivers-and-passersby</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ “Forecast: God reigns and the Son shines.” In mid-September, the large electronic sign of a Lutheran church flashed this message by a throughfare between growing subdivisions and cornfields… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 30 Sep 2026 15:03:13 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Giggle, for, God:, America’s, witty, church, signs, aim, inspire, attract, drivers, and, passersby</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[“Forecast: God reigns and the Son shines.” In mid-September, the large electronic sign of a Lutheran church flashed this message by a throughfare between growing subdivisions and cornfields…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Hyrox turns gym training into competition and community in Japan</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/hyrox-turns-gym-training-into-competition-and-community-in-japan</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/hyrox-turns-gym-training-into-competition-and-community-in-japan</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ For office worker Taiyo Kojima, working out at the gym had begun to feel aimless. Then he discovered Hyrox, a fitness race combining running and strength exercises, and… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 28 Sep 2026 15:03:06 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Hyrox, turns, gym, training, into, competition, and, community, Japan</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[For office worker Taiyo Kojima, working out at the gym had begun to feel aimless. Then he discovered Hyrox, a fitness race combining running and strength exercises, and…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>&amp;apos;Hafu&amp;apos; passport dilemma: Identity, belonging and choosing a nationality</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/hafu-passport-dilemma-identity-belonging-and-choosing-a-nationality</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/hafu-passport-dilemma-identity-belonging-and-choosing-a-nationality</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Ask any hafu Japanese about the questions they hear most often and you’ll probably get some familiar answers: “Where are you really from?” “Can you use chopsticks?” “Do… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sun, 27 Sep 2026 15:07:09 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Hafu, passport, dilemma:, Identity, belonging, and, choosing, nationality</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Ask any hafu Japanese about the questions they hear most often and you’ll probably get some familiar answers: “Where are you really from?” “Can you use chopsticks?” “Do…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>In a culture obsessed with staying young, we ignore the many benefits of aging</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/in-a-culture-obsessed-with-staying-young-we-ignore-the-many-benefits-of-aging</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/in-a-culture-obsessed-with-staying-young-we-ignore-the-many-benefits-of-aging</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Every morning, millions of people wake up hoping to look, think and feel younger than they did yesterday.
The anti-aging industry is worth hundreds of billions of dollars,… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sat, 26 Sep 2026 15:03:06 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>culture, obsessed, with, staying, young, ignore, the, many, benefits, aging</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Every morning, millions of people wake up hoping to look, think and feel younger than they did yesterday.
The anti-aging industry is worth hundreds of billions of dollars,…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Shrine in Kyoto forest honors stuffed toys</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/shrine-in-kyoto-forest-honors-stuffed-toys</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/shrine-in-kyoto-forest-honors-stuffed-toys</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ A shrine dedicated to services in honor of stuffed toys opened in June in a mountainous forest in Kyoto Prefecture, offering a place for people to express appreciation… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 25 Sep 2026 15:07:08 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Shrine, Kyoto, forest, honors, stuffed, toys</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[A shrine dedicated to services in honor of stuffed toys opened in June in a mountainous forest in Kyoto Prefecture, offering a place for people to express appreciation…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Famous Kyoto shrine has a message for foreign tourists who think it’s okay to dance at sacred sites</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/famous-kyoto-shrine-has-a-message-for-foreign-tourists-who-think-its-okay-to-dance-at-sacred-sites</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/famous-kyoto-shrine-has-a-message-for-foreign-tourists-who-think-its-okay-to-dance-at-sacred-sites</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ One of the things that draws tourists to Kyoto is its shrines and temples, which have been beautifully preserved for centuries. However, as the world changes around these… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 24 Sep 2026 15:03:08 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Famous, Kyoto, shrine, has, message, for, foreign, tourists, who, think, it’s, okay, dance, sacred, sites</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[One of the things that draws tourists to Kyoto is its shrines and temples, which have been beautifully preserved for centuries. However, as the world changes around these…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>The centuries&#45;old Japanese art of ikebana draws those seeking calm</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/the-centuries-old-japanese-art-of-ikebana-draws-those-seeking-calm</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/the-centuries-old-japanese-art-of-ikebana-draws-those-seeking-calm</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Ikebana, the Japanese art of arranging flowers, is a form of expression that dates back more than 500 years. It continues to blossom, quietly, not only with traditionalists… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 23 Sep 2026 15:07:10 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>The, centuries-old, Japanese, art, ikebana, draws, those, seeking, calm</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Ikebana, the Japanese art of arranging flowers, is a form of expression that dates back more than 500 years. It continues to blossom, quietly, not only with traditionalists…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Newly staffed station connects with foreign students learning Japanese</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/newly-staffed-station-connects-with-foreign-students-learning-japanese</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/newly-staffed-station-connects-with-foreign-students-learning-japanese</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Local residents in a city in Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Japan, have taken on a new role of &quot;station attendants&quot; at a once unmanned train station to help make… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 22 Sep 2026 15:03:07 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Newly, staffed, station, connects, with, foreign, students, learning, Japanese</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Local residents in a city in Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Japan, have taken on a new role of "station attendants" at a once unmanned train station to help make…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Prefectures call for onsen culture to be recognized as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/prefectures-call-for-onsen-culture-to-be-recognized-as-unesco-intangible-cultural-heritage</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/prefectures-call-for-onsen-culture-to-be-recognized-as-unesco-intangible-cultural-heritage</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Japan’s prefectural governors are intensifying their campaign for onsen culture to be recognized as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2030 with the hosting of the inaugural Onsen… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 21 Sep 2026 15:07:09 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Prefectures, call, for, onsen, culture, recognized, UNESCO, Intangible, Cultural, Heritage</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Japan’s prefectural governors are intensifying their campaign for onsen culture to be recognized as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2030 with the hosting of the inaugural Onsen…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Iran hesitates to clamp down on defiance of headscarf rules as war and economic pressures mount</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/iran-hesitates-to-clamp-down-on-defiance-of-headscarf-rules-as-war-and-economic-pressures-mount</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/iran-hesitates-to-clamp-down-on-defiance-of-headscarf-rules-as-war-and-economic-pressures-mount</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Women sit at outdoor cafes without headscarves and wearing crop tops. Men in shorts and women in leggings exercise together in parks. At sidewalk concerts, women stop to… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sun, 20 Sep 2026 15:03:08 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Iran, hesitates, clamp, down, defiance, headscarf, rules, war, and, economic, pressures, mount</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Women sit at outdoor cafes without headscarves and wearing crop tops. Men in shorts and women in leggings exercise together in parks. At sidewalk concerts, women stop to…]]> </content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>10 things to consider before getting a pet in Japan</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/10-things-to-consider-before-getting-a-pet-in-japan</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/10-things-to-consider-before-getting-a-pet-in-japan</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Bringing a pet into your life is a big commitment, and it comes with extra considerations (even death) when living in Japan. From apartment restrictions to cultural differences,… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sat, 19 Sep 2026 15:07:10 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>things, consider, before, getting, pet, Japan</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Bringing a pet into your life is a big commitment, and it comes with extra considerations (even death) when living in Japan. From apartment restrictions to cultural differences,…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>How to get a free/used bicycle in Japan</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/how-to-get-a-freeused-bicycle-in-japan</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/how-to-get-a-freeused-bicycle-in-japan</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Bicycles are a staple of Japanese life. Despite being a nation with some of the best transportation available, cycling is a popular way to get around. Whether it’s… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 18 Sep 2026 15:03:10 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>How, get, freeused, bicycle, Japan</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Bicycles are a staple of Japanese life. Despite being a nation with some of the best transportation available, cycling is a popular way to get around. Whether it’s…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>How a 5 a.m. Shibuya cleanup became an international community</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/how-a-5-am-shibuya-cleanup-became-an-international-community</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/how-a-5-am-shibuya-cleanup-became-an-international-community</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ I had been following the Shibuya cleanup project on social media for several months. Organized by Japanese rock band Jellow Glow, the weekly volunteer effort brings together locals… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 17 Sep 2026 15:07:09 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>How, a.m., Shibuya, cleanup, became, international, community</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[I had been following the Shibuya cleanup project on social media for several months. Organized by Japanese rock band Jellow Glow, the weekly volunteer effort brings together locals…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Virtual zoo lifts spirits of children in hospitals</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/virtual-zoo-lifts-spirits-of-children-in-hospitals</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/virtual-zoo-lifts-spirits-of-children-in-hospitals</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Children facing long hospital stays in Japan are getting a chance to venture beyond their wards and explore zoos and other destinations through virtual reality.
More than 30… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 16 Sep 2026 15:03:09 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Virtual, zoo, lifts, spirits, children, hospitals</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Children facing long hospital stays in Japan are getting a chance to venture beyond their wards and explore zoos and other destinations through virtual reality.
More than 30…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Brazil is in fashion, as Brazilians like to say. Here’s why</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/brazil-is-in-fashion-as-brazilians-like-to-say-heres-why</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/brazil-is-in-fashion-as-brazilians-like-to-say-heres-why</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Brazil is having a moment. Celebrities and record numbers of tourists donning green, yellow and blue are flooding into the country. Brazilian culture — from its Oscar-nominated films… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 15 Sep 2026 15:07:07 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Brazil, fashion, Brazilians, like, say., Here’s, why</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Brazil is having a moment. Celebrities and record numbers of tourists donning green, yellow and blue are flooding into the country. Brazilian culture — from its Oscar-nominated films…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Japanese mayors challenge each other to nighttime ninja battle, now recruiting participants</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/japanese-mayors-challenge-each-other-to-nighttime-ninja-battle-now-recruiting-participants</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/japanese-mayors-challenge-each-other-to-nighttime-ninja-battle-now-recruiting-participants</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ In 1581, the ninth year of the Tensho era, the Iga ninja clan found itself in peril. The Oda army, after multiple failed attempts to subjugate the region,… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 14 Sep 2026 15:03:15 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Japanese, mayors, challenge, each, other, nighttime, ninja, battle, now, recruiting, participants</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[In 1581, the ninth year of the Tensho era, the Iga ninja clan found itself in peril. The Oda army, after multiple failed attempts to subjugate the region,…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>&amp;apos;Divorce&#45;tok&amp;apos; fills social media as creators find audiences — and support — by sharing heartbreak</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/divorce-tok-fills-social-media-as-creators-find-audiences-and-support-by-sharing-heartbreak</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/divorce-tok-fills-social-media-as-creators-find-audiences-and-support-by-sharing-heartbreak</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ On Instagram feeds that are often teeming with curated, contrived content, a recent post from Monette Wagner stood out for her disarming openness.
Looking into the camera, Wagner,… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sun, 13 Sep 2026 15:07:06 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Divorce-tok, fills, social, media, creators, find, audiences, —, and, support, —, sharing, heartbreak</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[On Instagram feeds that are often teeming with curated, contrived content, a recent post from Monette Wagner stood out for her disarming openness.
Looking into the camera, Wagner,…]]> </content:encoded>
</item>

<item>
<title>Have a beard in Japan: Work rules, culture and care tips</title>
<link>https://konnichiwa.today/have-a-beard-in-japan-work-rules-culture-and-care-tips</link>
<guid>https://konnichiwa.today/have-a-beard-in-japan-work-rules-culture-and-care-tips</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ In modern Japan, beards haven’t been as widely embraced as a fashion statement in formal settings. If you’re just visiting as a tourist, you don’t need to worry… ]]></description>
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<pubDate>Sat, 12 Sep 2026 15:03:06 +0800</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Tomas Kauer - Senior News Editor</dc:creator>
<media:keywords>Have, beard, Japan:, Work, rules, culture, and, care, tips</media:keywords>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[In modern Japan, beards haven’t been as widely embraced as a fashion statement in formal settings. If you’re just visiting as a tourist, you don’t need to worry…]]> </content:encoded>
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<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>
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<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>
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<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>
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<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>
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<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>
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<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>
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<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>
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<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>
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<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>
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<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>
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<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>
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<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>
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<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>
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<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>
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<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>
<enclosure url="https://media.japantoday.com/img/store/d3/84/d2c926d93a30ff2b24b93efd8bfa57edd46d/istock-2219124943/_w1700.jpg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<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>
<enclosure url="https://media.japantoday.com/img/store/31/14/baea36a866f86cf3d2f6a2721fc11a72a5c4/screenshot-2026-08-18-at-8-10-17/_w1700.png" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<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>
<enclosure url="https://media.japantoday.com/img/store/05/29/14d507d52f039d6053964d9cfcc3392d1334/screenshot-2026-08-18-at-7-54-03/_w1700.png" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<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>
<enclosure url="https://media.japantoday.com/img/store/a1/5f/3226ed2afa6cf6951265fa3ddee3ccb03018/download/_w1700.jpg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<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>
<enclosure url="https://media.japantoday.com/img/store/af/b6/e19975a7e1f8ec0cc959bdcb41011439b881/istock-2242282662/_w1700.jpg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<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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<item>
<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>
</item>

<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>
<enclosure url="https://media.japantoday.com/img/store/e9/92/88f9617a400b7d2bbdcce7babc276048fc5a/13_ec2025to_06674/_w1700.jpg" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<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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<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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<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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<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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<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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<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>
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<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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<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>
<enclosure url="https://media.japantoday.com/img/store/46/88/8beeb1cf1d2cd8bdf5fbef5a386fe7ac2df9/screenshot-2026-07-24-at-8-29-03/_w1700.png" length="49398" type="image/jpeg"/>
<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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<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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