Substacks recommended by Julian Smith

Recommended by Julian Smith

Dispatches from an Italian expat in Hokkaido. A slow journey through everyday life, culture, and unexpected beauty

Raised in Japan’s Lost Decades, shaped by tradition as a woman, and redefined by life abroad. Based in Sapporo but always exploring.

Notes from Japan

By From Tokyo Desserts

As a long time expat in Japan, I'll share my favorite spots and plenty of recipes with a touch of Asian influence.

Japan Uncovered

By Yuri Minamide

Traditional and pop Japanese art and culture are explained by a kimono-clad Japanese writer. I will be your reliable guide🌸

Secrets from Japan and Beyond

Stories of nature, travel, and culture from Japan

Japan Pics

By Matt Murray

Travel photography adventures in Japan 😍

Emberwood Horror

By Shawn Brooks

I'm a folk-horror author of multiple books. Living in Japan. Come sit down by the fire where I offer original horror stories and insights/deals into my books.

Insights into writing Japanese horror novels, and the craft of writing more generally.

- Julian Smith

Tokyo Paladin with Jake Adelstein

By Jake

Articles and essays about Japan and the world, plus content from the archives.

Japan Happiness

By Hiroko Yoda

A newsletter by translator and author Hiroko Yoda.

Cultural Conundrums Substack

By Kate Elwood

A biweekly newsletter mostly presenting research on Japanese culture

The Kyote

By Daniel Eve

Japanese true crime with a 20-year resident of Kyoto

Fun, entertaining stories from Japan's past, coupled with a what-does-this-picture-mean? quiz that regularly stumps even long-term Japan residents like me!

- Julian Smith

Chiba Explorers

By Elizabeth Scally

Follow Chiba Explorers as I share insights and information for visitors and residents alike - culture, events, and sights in the prefecture.

Hanashi by Curious Ordinary

By Curious Ordinary ~ Hanashi

Curious Ordinary is digging a bit deeper into Japanese folklore, religion and culture and sharing discoveries and stories along the way.

Letters from Japan

By Burcu Basar

Travel news, stories, and photography from Japan and beyond—delivered once a month to your inbox, with more features for paid subscribers and print club members.

Japan Unravelled: Insider

By Andrew

Level up your Japan travel plan in just 5 minutes a month.

Behind Shoji Doors

By Debbie

For the curious who want to know what life is like on the other side of the ocean.

Stories Beyond Japan

By Miki Toyota

Japan: a view from the inside (and sometimes the outside looking in)

Music of Japan

By Joshua Matthews

Each edition of Music of Japan introduces 5 songs by Japanese artists across multiple genres.

If you're interested in Japanese music, this Substack covers various genres of up-and-coming and older Japanese music, mostly since the early 2000s. With links to videos, and Spotify and Apple Music playlists, this it the go-to Substack to learn about modern Japanese music!

- Julian Smith

Frog's Glen

By Jack

Profiles of real Japan

JAPAN ORDINARY -photos-

By Japan Ordinary

I like to capture the INTERESTING NORMAL in my life. I hope you can feel the REAL ATMOSPHERE OF JAPAN from my photos.

Photos of normal life in Japan. They really do capture the real atmosphere of Japan and Japanese life!

- Julian Smith

Gentou Days

By Liam Gingell

Investigating the offbeat and peculiar in Japan through an artistic lens. Part travelogue, part soul-search and I occasionally try my hand at wit.

The Ramen Bowl

All things Ramen and Japanese-inspired cuisine from a foodie nerd. Get monthly posts with stories, recipes, and experiments - ◡ -

Animenomics

By Richardson Handjaja

Get unique insights and timely data on the business and market forces driving the anime and manga industries in Japan and around the world.

Made In Japan

By Made in Japan

The mission of MIJ is to become your field guide to Business and Investing in Japan. My goal is to make businesses in Japan more accessible to everyone by breaking down cultural barriers and provide differentiated ideas and insights.

Hidden Japan

By Leon

Understand the Japanese Psyche with a local English speaker's perspective

Ninja Nomad

By Shawn Brooks

First-hand stories from Japan. Occasionally some other East Asian nations thrown in.

Stories from around the world, including some good ones from Japan!

- Julian Smith

Hickman's Hinterlands

By A.M. Hickman

A ledger of obscure travels, backwoods rambles, rough bivouacs, and cackling cartographies.

Kiwi Yamabushi

By Tim Bunting

Your deep dive into rural Japan from a modern-day mountain monk.

An introduction to Yamabushi, thoughts on Japan and some hiking.

- Julian Smith

The Rising Sun

By Stephen J. Maddex

Discussion and analysis of Japanese business culture from a Western perspective.

Japan Rail News

By japanrailnews

Travel by train in Japan: news, trip reports, and ticket specials.

Japan Optimist

By Jesper Koll

Japan analysis and insights - capitalism that works

Observing Japan

By Tobias Harris

News and views on Japan's politics

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.

Snippets of Japanese life, interspersed with reviews and pop culture.

- Julian Smith