Why does Japan seem so good at appreciating nothingness? From tea rooms and zen gardens to MUJI's beige minimalism, Japan has a unique way of turning empty space into something emotionally powerful. Let's explore the philosophy, history amd evolution of emptiness and minimalism in Japanese culture.

It looks delicious at first sight. Perfect ramen, glossy sushi, fluffy pancakes until you realize it's not real. Welcome to the world of Japanese food replicas, or sampulu (サンプル), where plastic food is not just decoration, it's a multi-million dollar industry and an art. We explore the intriguing history of Japan's hyper-realistic restaurant windows. Spawned from functionality and refined through craftsmanship, these mock foods have assisted diners in comprehending menus for more than a hundred years particularly when words do not suffice.

Summers in Japan isn't just hot, it's a battlefield against the sun. We look into why Japan is so obessed with covering up during the hot and humid weather, its cultural roots and why modern sun protection of all sorts is a multi-million dollar business.

What scares Japan today? From traditional ghost tales and vengeful spirits to viral videos, survival horror video games, and haunted escape rooms — Japanese horror has extended far beyond the traditional. We explore how Japan's romance with horror has evolved in the modern era. No longer rooted in centuries-old folk stories and religious superstitions like yūrei and yokai, horror has also turned digital for the modern age. We’ll discover how horror is experienced in real life too — through cutting-edge haunted attractions, horror-themed cafes, and immersive escape rooms. New platforms like AR, VR, and interactive storytelling apps are opening up terrifying new ways to feel fear. Find out how fear keeps evolving...

One-time unchallenged holy land of otaku, Tokyo's Akihabara was a heaven for anime, manga, video game, maid café, and collector's items. But today. it is different. So what happened to Akihabara? We chart the past from Akihabara's early days as an electronics district to its growth in the 1990s–2010s as a thriving subculture hub during the golden era of otaku culture. We'll then look at which anime, doujinshi, figure fever, and maid cafés transformed the district into a fans' pilgrimage site from all over the world. Now, as Japan's economic downturn-chasing weak yen and pandemic tourism bonanza coinciding with it, Akihabara is evolving — welcoming more tourists than hardcores. Is it otaku heaven anymore? Or has it become a theme park version of what once was? We split it all up — past, present, and future.

Why is Japan so obsessed with all things small, fluffy, and irresistibly kawaii? From adorable mascots to tiny replicas of food and robot puppies, Japanese cuteness is everywhere — but how did it all begin? We explore the deeper psychological and cultural roots of kawaii, how postwar society, youth culture rebellion, and femininity changed kawaii as a national sentiment — influencing everything from fashion and media to urban landscapes. This is your definitive in-depth exploration of kawaii land.

Who exactly were the Japanese ninjas? Forget the legends in the films, we delve into the true history of the mythic spies and shadow warriors. Discover where ninjas first emerged, what they actually did (hint: it doesn't involve throwing stars!), and how they shaped Japan's history through espionage, sabotage, and survival. We'll also look at how the ninja legacy lives on to this day — from ninja schools and ninja tourism in Japan, to anime, cosplay, and Hollywood.

We dive into the emotional world of Japanese street fashion — from the pastel-meets-pain aesthetic of Yami Kawaii, to the mental health expression of Menhera, and the dramatic, heartbroken elegance of Jirai Kei. Discover how these styles use fashion to speak the unspeakable — blending cuteness with vulnerability, and self-expression with emotional depth.

We explore the eerie world of Japanese folklore through two of its most chilling concepts: Onryo; the vengeful spirits who return from the grave seeking retribution, and Tatari; the terrifying curses born from deep resentment or divine wrath. What happens when a soul cannot rest? How do ancient beliefs shape the way misfortune is understood in Japan? We'll dive into ghostly tales, historical legends, and the cultural impact of these supernatural forces.

Welcome to the quirky world of Japan’s gachapon—capsule toy machines that are popping up everywhere from street corners to tourist hotspots. From adorable collectibles and anime figures to the downright bizarre, these little surprises have become a pop culture obsession. We dive into why gachapon are so addictive and why dropping a few spare coins into one of these machines has become a must-do for visitors and locals alike.

What happens when anime, manga, and games hit the stage? We dive into the world of 2.5D theater—where fan-favorite characters come to life through musicals, plays, and mind-blowing stagecraft. It’s where fantasy meets reality, and the results are pure magic.

Dealing with Japan’s rainy season? You’re not the only one battling mold, dampness, and nonstop humidity. We share easy tips and tricks on how to deal with this infamous season —think dehumidifier hacks, moisture control, and staying sane when the rain won’t quit!

Discover the hidden gems of Kyushu, Japan, in this episode. From a toilet museum and cat islands to rich culture and popular mascots, we take you on an immersive journey through one of Japan’s most underrated regions and let Kyushu surprise you!

We're joined by the talented gaikai idol, Berry to dive deep into the controversy surrounding SORB3T. She opens up to the stuggles she faced during the backlash on cultural appropriation and the shocking revelations of her ordeal... 

We're diving into the world of Berry, a talented Japanese-American idol who first made waves as part of the idol group SORB3T. Berry launched her solo career, and she's been captivating fans ever since with her energetic music and vibrant personality. Berry is in the studio to talk about her journey and what makes her a standout in the idol scene!

Chugoku (Chuugoku / Chūgoku), or 'middle country,' has long been thought of as a bridge between Japan and the rest of the world. While the region is best known for Hiroshima Prefecture, it's also fascinating to investigate the surrounding areas of Okayama, Shimane, Tottori, and Yamaguchi. In this guide, we'll discuss the best attractions, hidden gems, and reasons why you should make time to visit this amazing part of Japan.

RiA and GUMi of Crazy Fantasy have popped in for a chat about all things J-Pop Idols. Although Australian-born, they are well-rooted in the culture of Japanese idols and strive to provide their fan base with a unique and vibrant music experience. They gave us a unique perspective on their journey to idol stardom...

Crazy Fantasy is a mischievous RPG concept idol group located in Tokyo, Japan, and consists of four members, two of which are Australian-born, RiA and GUMi! They've paid a visit to Cat with Beard HQ for a chat about their journey to J-Pop Idol culture.

We're going to take a journey through Japan's most high-tech toilets and the groundbreaking features that make them so special. From heated seats to high-tech bidet capabilities, we'll do it all and analyze the science behind these state-of-the-art toilets and why they're so popular in Japan.

We got a championship winning pro-wrestler in the studio! Akari, hailing from Chile, talks to us about how she ended up in Japan, what made her become a wrestler in the Japanese circuit and why she is awesome!