Matthew Coslett
After his 6 month stay got extended to 6 years, Matthew decided just to stay. As well as writing about his beloved Kansai, he spends hours in the middle of nowhere looking for wildlife and searching for the parts of the city most people ignore.
Articles
Modern Japanese Monsters and Their Folklore Equivalents
As anime writers get more creative, they often depart from the original versions of the traditional creatures and create their own spin.
Is a Japanese Language School Better Than Self-Study?
Explore the pros and cons of enrolling in a language school versus self-study methods for mastering Japanese, and discover which approach best suits your learning style.
Temples and Shrines Devoted to Mythical Creatures in Japan
Exploring sacred places in Japan for ghost, demons and tricksters.
More Essential Items for Your New Apartment in Japan
You just moved into you new apartment—do you have everything you need? Here is a list over what you might need, from oven filters to mold killers and more.
Visit The Sites of Japan’s Historic Battles
Visit the decisive battles of the Warring States Period at the sites of its major battles.
Foraging in Japan: Where to Look and How to Get Started
Foraging can be a new and rewarding way to experience (and taste) Japan’s wilderness. Here are some of the best places to try it.
From Lease to Keys: Buying Your Apartment in Japan
It can seem like a dream to move from renting to owning your own property, however, there are a number of pitfalls awaiting the unwary.
Secret Symbols: Exploring Pentagrams at Seimei Shrine
Why is a temple full of pentagrams near the Kyoto Imperial Palace? GaijinPot shares one of Japan’s most secret symbols.
Decoding Japanese Net-Speak: Unveiling Online Abbreviations
Young Japanese people have mastered reducing complicated Japanese phrases to a couple of Roman letters. From KY to DQN, let's look at some of these online code words.
The Many Words for Holiday in Japan
The Japanese have a lot of different words for holidays, GaijinPot investigates some of the most common.
Kanji Cheat Sheet: Buying Hay Fever Medication in Japan
Achoo! Hay fever season is back with a vengeance. Get rid of your sniffles with this seasonal vocabulary.
Everything You Need to Know About Being Paid to Leave Tokyo
Families are being paid to leave Tokyo for the Japanese countryside, but there may be several catches.
