Our Deep Japan storytellers, your Senpai.

Our Deep Japan storytellers,
your Senpai.

Emily Morofushi
Laura Pollacco
Laura Pollacco
Laura Pollacco

Hello! My name is Laura Pollacco, and I am a British national living, working, and loving my life in Japan...

Hello! My name is Laura Pollacco, and I am a British national living, working, and loving...

Hello! My name is Laura, and I am a British national living, working, and loving my life in Japan for over four years now.

Emily Morofushi
Laura Pollacco
Laura Pollacco

Hello, my name is Emily Morofushi! Originally from the United States, I spent more than half a decade living in rural Shimane before relocating to Hiroshima Prefecture.

Hello! My name is Laura, and I am a British national living, working, and loving my life in Japan for over four years now.

Hello! My name is Laura Pollacco, and I am a British...

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

Nekojita

Summer is here! It has been a cool tsuyu (rainy season), but wow, did the heat arrive! Speaking of heat…nekojita is a pretty fun word that describes someone who is extra sensitive to heat, but not in the sense of outside temperatures — it refers to foods and drinks!

I think we all have a baseline sensitivity to hot foods, but apparently there are some people who are more sensitive than others, and you can say they have nekojita. Literally meaning “cat tongue,” it is derived from the fact that cats also can’t handle hot foods. But isn’t that the same for dogs and other animals!? Maybe I will go on a little Google search exploration…

Hello there! I’m Hana, Editor-in-Chief of Deep Japan. Every Monday, I share a Japanese word, phrase, or expression with you.

Whether it helps enrich your Japanese vocabulary or simply gives you a new idea to reflect on, I hope it offers a little inspiration as we begin a fresh new week. We got this! Gambarimasho

Right Now in Tokyo
loader-image
Tokyo, JP
temperature icon 27°C