Explore Japan beyond the algorithm

Put your phone down; it’s time to get physical. Japan may sometimes get mocked for sticking with seemingly obsolete technology like faxes, CDs and personal stamps, but in our era of AI slop and questionably calibrated algorithms, there’s plenty to appreciate about the country’s dedication to the analogue, tactile and authentic.

So here we are, inviting you to ditch the digital and explore offline Japan; its immersive vinyl bars, vibrant zine scene, film photography and neighborhood cinemas. Below you’ll find all that, plus a tiny café tucked away in a former factory, a secret liquor store-bar in suburban Tokyo, seriously sweat-worthy saunas, and a make-believe post office on a remote island in the Seto Inland Sea. Oh, and fear not – there’s plenty of Insta-friendly material in there, too.