Think Japan’s healthcare is flawless? It might be if you just have a mild cold. But when I collapsed and ended up in the ER, I discovered a system that can brush off complex cases as “all in your head.” After visiting multiple hospitals, getting chased out of the ER, and eventually flying abroad for tests, I found my real diagnoses—Wilson’s disease and a mast cell disorder—all on my own dime. In a land celebrated for its efficient healthcare, sometimes you have to be your own best doctor.

Is the romantic magic gone from modern Final Fantasy? From Cloud’s tangled affections for Aerith and Tifa to Tidus and Yuna’s heartbreaking farewell, older titles were rich with layered love stories. Recent games, however, often fall short—rushing or glossing over emotional depth. By reviving those sweeping, character-driven romances, Square-Enix could rekindle the epic feeling that once defined the series.

On a chilly autumn night in rural Japan, I stumbled upon a pair of boots and an old man snoring in the middle of the road during a late-night walk with my Shiba, Natsuko. After waking him and offering to walk him home, he fell asleep again beside a small shack. This encounter highlighted the quirks of Japan's drinking culture and reminded me that life here is full of unexpected surprises.