Recommendations

Publications Tim Bunting reads and thinks you should too.
Curated by Tim Bunting
Japan and the World
Japan and the World
By Christopher Harding
Vivid, accessible essays about Japan and the encounters that have shaped East and West
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Secrets from Japan and Beyond
By Sneha Nagesh
Stories of nature, travel, and culture from Japan
Walking Across Japan
Walking Across Japan
By Julian Smith
Get a deeper knowledge of Japan, its history, economics and society, beyond the anime and "crazy Japan" headlines.
Oscar’s Substack
Oscar’s Substack
By Oscar Boyd
Big Cycle Adventures: Japan, UK, Iceland. Next stop: Italy.
Matt Alt's Pure Invention
Matt Alt's Pure Invention
Dispatches from the front lines of Japanese pop culture.
Uncharted Territories
Uncharted Territories
By Tomas Pueyo
Understand the world of today to prepare for the world of tomorrow: AI, tech, longevity, fertility, the future of democracy, energy, education, and more
Kominka Life Japan
Kominka Life Japan
I post notes meant to make you laugh and write about life, life in Japan and whatever else inspires me from living in the mountains of Yamanashi, Japan.
Japan A to Z
Japan A to Z
By Hideo Tanikawa
Notes on traveling in Japan for people who already know it, focused on judgment rather than coverage.
Tokyo Calling
Tokyo Calling
By Gianni Simone
About all things Japanese. Society, culture in all its forms, travel, and urban exploration. 4,000 subscribers and followers.
JAPAN WELLNESS TRAVEL
JAPAN WELLNESS TRAVEL
By Doctor
A doctor-curated guide to Japan’s hidden wellness escapes, timeless rituals, and longevity secrets—designed to make you fall in love with Japan again and again.
The Honest Broker
The Honest Broker
By Ted Gioia
A trustworthy guide to music, books, arts, media & culture by Ted Gioia
Tokyo Unfolded’s Substack
Tokyo Unfolded’s Substack
My personal Substack
Real Gaijin
Real Gaijin
By Mark Kennedy
Unveiling the Real Japan: An American Expat's Inside Look | Hot takes, commentary, and unfiltered insights on life as a foreigner in Japan.
Japan Optimist
Japan Optimist
By Jesper Koll
Japan analysis and insights - capitalism that works
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Tokyo Paladin with Jake Adelstein
Articles and essays about Japan and the world, plus content from the archives.
Stories Beyond Japan
Stories Beyond Japan
By Miki Toyota
A cultural journal to help you read between lines, build authentic relationships, and lead across borders. Explored through the lens of Japan.
Frog's Glen
Frog's Glen
By Jack Krown
Profiles of real Japan
Make Believe Mailer
Make Believe Mailer
By Patrick St. Michel
Covering Japanese Music, From The J-pop Industry To The Underground
Kazuma from Tokyo Bike Bliss
Kazuma from Tokyo Bike Bliss
Stories about real Tokyo life, hidden gems, and Japanese culture that you won’t find in guidebooks.
KonichiValue Japan
KonichiValue Japan
By Rei Saito
Your insider on investing in Japan
From BK to TK
From BK to TK
By Baye McNeil
Memoir, commentary, and stories from a Brooklyn-born writer living in Tokyo, tracing the people, places, and realities that shaped him in both worlds.
RetireJapan
RetireJapan
By Ben Tanaka
Personal finance, investing, retirement, and life in Japan
Japan Happiness
Japan Happiness
By Hiroko Yoda
A newsletter by translator and author Hiroko Yoda.
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Hiroko's Japan Travel Letters
By Hiroko Japan Travel Insider
Born & raised in Japan near Kyoto & Osaka. Sharing the Japan tourists haven't discovered yet.
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Fernando Barata Russo
James’s Substack
James’s Substack
By James C Douglas
My personal Substack
The Kyote
The Kyote
By Daniel Eve
Japanese true crime with a 20-year resident of Kyoto
Sonic Tapestries
Sonic Tapestries
By Mat Eric Hart
The inner and outer worlds of Mat Eric Hart. Artist, field recordist, DJ, sound effects creator and nice guy :)
Hanashi by Curious Ordinary
Hanashi by Curious Ordinary
Curious Ordinary is digging a bit deeper into Japanese folklore, religion and culture and sharing discoveries and stories along the way.
Hidden Japan
Hidden Japan
By Leon
Understand the Japanese Psyche with a local English speaker's perspective
Ninja Nomad
Ninja Nomad
By Shawn Brooks
First-hand stories from Japan. Occasionally some other East Asian nations thrown in.
Samuraipunk
Samuraipunk
By Made in DNA
Samuraipunk, cyberpunk, mecha, weird and general scifi. Bi-monthly. Content reviews, creative (person) interviews, crowdfunding projects, original fiction, culture, pop culture, and more. Nothing high-brow. Also see NOTES for more frequent content.