A rhythmic clicking sound known as shakki cuts into the silence of the room, “sha,” “sha,” “sha,” as the needle tips from the hand-carved persimmonwood bachi (traditional rod with needles) lightly pierce and raise the flesh to inject ink into the skin. The customer re...

Himeji Castle is predicted to welcome a whopping two million visitors this year after its post-restoration reopening on March 27th. Perched upon a hill where its towers can be seen for miles, the picturesque fortress is nicknamed Shirasagi-jo(“White Heron Castle”) or H...