Deep Japan

Our Deep Japan storytellers, your Senpai.

Our Deep Japan storytellers,
your Senpai.

Our mission.

Deep Japan is a community-driven tourism platform offering authentic insights into Japanese culture, travel, and everyday life. Our diverse “Senpai” writers—many with over 20 years of living in Japan—share heartfelt stories, practical travel tips, and fascinating observations about the Japan they know and love. 

Our mission is to shine a light on the thoughtful traditions and endearing quirks that define Japanese life, fostering a deeper appreciation for what makes this country so beautifully different.

Write for us. Tell your story.

Professional writing experience is not required—if you have lived in Japan for at least three years at any point, we welcome you to apply to join our Senpai writer community. Whether you first came to Japan to teach, study abroad, follow a partner, launch a new career, or simply chase a curiosity—we want to hear from you.

There are stories only you can tell, and at Deep Japan, we would be honored to give your voice a home.

Word of the Week

Shoshin

Meaning “beginner’s mind,” shoshin refers to the curiosity and openness to new ideas one has when approaching something as a complete newbie.

One of the things my driving instructor told me after I passed my exams and successfully procured my license was along the lines of korekara mo shoshin o wasurezuni, anzen unten shite kudasai, which means “don’t forget your spirit of shoshin and continue to drive safely.” He was essentially saying that no matter how much driving experience I accumulate, it’s important to preserve a healthy level of nervousness, alertness, and humility. As if I were taking the wheel for the first time, every time.

The new year is all about new beginnings, and I want to keep this idea of shoshin in mind.

Right Now in Tokyo

Tokyo, JP

4°C

January’s Read

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  Culture

  Perfect Days: When cinema mirrors life in Tokyo

  Few films capture the texture of everyday life in Tokyo with the precision and humility of Perfect Days (2023). Directed by Wim Wenders and carried almost entirely by the masterful performance of Kōji Yakusho, awarded Best Actor at the C…

  

  Sébastien Raineri