Gods and goddesses of love are usually described as irresistibly beautiful. But many embodied darker aspects, too, and were associated with war.
Many Chinese New Year traditions have unusual backstories or origins. Here are five notable ones to know about.
Visiting Singapore and keen to experience the city state’s celebrated hawker culture? Here’s an essential guide to visiting hawker centres in Singapore.
Gods and goddesses of death do not just personify human demise. Often, they represent heavenly justice and social reckoning, too.
Gods and goddesses of time typically represent fate or the unchanging order of the cosmos. Here are five prominent time deities to know about.
The legacies of solar deities continue to influence our world. Here are nine sun gods and goddesses from world mythology to know about.
Gods and goddesses of wisdom are usually sagacious counselors or studious scribes. However, some cultures also envision them as divine tricksters.
Hell has inspired video games since the earliest days. Here’s a quick look at how games have depicted the infernal underworld over the decades.
Huge space vessels have always represented power and mystery. Here are 25 of the largest spaceships and space stations in science fiction.
Many faiths consider an abundance of money a form of divine blessing. Here are 9 wealth gods and goddesses from world mythology.
Lunar deities have been venerated since ancient times. Here are 9 moon gods and goddesses from world mythology to know about.
What is Qingming? When and where is Chongyang celebrated? Here are the facts and origins of the Four Great Chinese Ancestral Festivals.
7 genre-blending retro Wuxia movies that are as weird as they are thrilling. In some cases, a hilarious barrel of laughs too.
What is the Lion City? This photo essay of Singapore at night shares the beauty of this melting pot of the past and the present, the East and the West.
Chinese Gods of Hell are fearsome but rarely regarded as evil or demonic. Instead, they are responsible for punishing the unvirtuous and sinful.
The Chinese Ghost Festival is not just about appeasing evil spirits. Here are the festival’s origins, customs, and facts, as well as dos and don’ts.
In need of Chinese magical terms and phrases to imbue your fantasy stories with an oriental touch? Here’s an extensive list to choose from.
Known in Chinese as Duanwu Jie, the Dragon Boat Festival is one of the most important Chinese summer festivals. Here are the festival’s facts, customs, and origins.
The deadliest monsters in world mythology all share one trait. They are capable of massacring entire cities, or nations, anytime they wish to.
Japanese horror films have long terrified worldwide audiences with vengeful ghosts and murderous demons. Here are the deadliest killers ever from J-horror.
From a golden rod that can pin the seas to an arrow that results in extinction, what are the most powerful mythological weapons in religion and folklore?
Terrifying Chinese horror stories with ghosts and demons are the staple of "Liaozhai Zhiyi," the classic Chinese compilation of supernatural tales.
What are the enjoyable things to do in Japan when it rains? There are many for you to choose from.
"Xianxia" movies are medieval Chinese sagas featuring supernatural battles and characters. They are a must-watch if you enjoy Chinese fantasy stories.
Did you know that mooncakes have been eaten in China for over a thousand years? Here's everything to know about these delicious Chinese pastries!
Proper preparation before starting a business is crucial. Go through this business startup checklist to determine how ready you are.
Few things are as annoying as an unwanted house guest. But when it’s a Japanese Yokai, the situation gets downright insane.
Japanese Yokai can be cute. On the flipside, they can be utterly evil and scary too! Here are 15 deadly Yokai you’d never want to meet, within or outside of Japan.
Japan’s native faith, Shinto, has a god or goddess (or kami) for almost everything—from weaving to swords.
Five notorious movies that are widely condemned for their brutality and offensiveness. But are they truly no more than tasteless entertainment?
Legendary Chinese female warriors and heroines such as Hua Mulan continue to be regularly depicted in pop entertainment. But how many existed in Chinese history?
Despite the country’s reputation for conformity, uprisings are not unknown in Japan. Here are the most famous Japanese social and political rebels.
These seven legendary Chinese beauties all played key roles in the destruction or decline of the dynasties they lived in.
These historical Japanese religious leaders transformed the socio-political landscape of Japan with their beliefs, practices, and spiritual devotion.
Remixing classic soundtracks is a cherished tradition in "Castlevania" games. Here are my top ten favorite "Castlevania" soundtrack remixes.
These seven horror movie villains have been sidelined for too long. Surely such fiendish evildoers deserve a cinematic revival?
Even Dracula will keep away from these nine terrifying East Asian vampires. Worse, many of these monstrosities from Asian folktales specifically prey on children too.
Humans have long sought protection and recovery from diseases from gods of healing. Several of the nine outlined here are also still actively worshipped today.
These nine plague gods and demons have terrified mankind since antiquity. Are modern epidemics still the handiwork of these dreaded deities?
5 video game movies that would be wonderful if produced by studios that thoroughly understand why the original games were beloved.
What are the must-know fictional worlds in cinema history? A true movie buff needs to be familiar with these 40 wondrous (and occasionally deadly) fantasy realms.
What are the must-know horror movie locations for a true film buff? From the Bates Motel and Exorcist Steps to the Overlook Hotel and U.S. Outpost 31, here are 66 places all horror movie lovers should be familiar with.
Singapore has a reputation for being a global gastronomical capital. Here are 10 delicious Singapore noodle dishes to enjoy when visiting the city-state.
Wuxia has fascinated East Asian audiences for over half a century. Here are seven classic Wuxia stories to read if you are curious about this unique Chinese storytelling genre.
Japanese mythology is full of legendary magical weapons. Here are 15 of the most famous and renowned ones.
50 legendary artifacts and magical weapons from Chinese legends, mythology, and classic fantasy sagas such as Journey to the West.
88 Chinese mythical creatures, demons, and monsters to know about. The great Middle Kingdom is positively full of such fantastical beings.
Unless you have a really strong stomach for gore, rape, and the downright gruesome, you might want to give these 7 Hong Kong exploitation movies from the 80s a miss.
108 gods, goddesses, immortals, and folkloric characters from Chinese religions, medieval literature, and folkloric beliefs.
Is Shimane Prefecture worth visiting? Yes, it is! It is home to Shintoism’s oldest shrine and what is possibly the world’s most visually stunning Japanese garden.
Traveling between Tokyo and Nagoya? Don’t forget to pop by the Hamamatsu Museum of Musical Instruments, one of the most fascinating museums in Japan.
An examination of Japanese manga and anime culture. These pictures will convince you that manga and anime are never only for geeks in Japan.
Is “World of Warcraft” still worth playing? Well, it’s more than 10 years since I started playing this MMORPG, and I’m still battling Orcs and slaying the Old Gods' minions every night.
What is there to enjoy at Jewel Changi Airport Singapore? A stunning waterfall, a man-made forest valley, and an indoor adventure paradise, to name but three.
3 wonderfully atmospheric and colorful Japanese food markets to visit during your next holiday in Japan.
Body size does not reflect the quality of political advice. As Okuninushi, the new Lord of Izumo, learns from the strange Sukuna Hikona.
My Fukuoka day trip included the city’s historical and modern attractions, as well as nearby Daizaifu and Kyushu National Museum.
Need a crash course in traditional Chinese morals and values? There is no better classroom than Singapore’s bizarre Haw Par Villa.
20 practical ways to improve your keyboard playing skills, if you’re struggling with mastering the electronic music keyboard.
Top ten most beautiful Japanese gardens in Japan. Serene, whimsical, and lyrical are but some of the accolades often used to describe these landscaping gems.
Taking a Japanese train ride soon? Don’t forget to grab an Ekiben meal box. This is one of the most exotic and colorful experiences to enjoy when in Japan.
Previously the political heart of Japan, the culturally rich Kansai region is today, a night photography wonderland for travelers.
25 Japan travel experiences that cemented my lifelong love for Japan. Many of these travel experiences, incidentally, are unique to the Land of the Rising Sun.
What are the essential Japanese travel phrases and words to know when visiting Japan? Here’s a vocabulary selection for you to pick from.
Who is Momotarō the Peach Boy? Is the Snow Woman truly evil? Here are seven famous Japanese folklore stories to know for your Japanese holiday.
Japanese history began as early as 35,000 years ago. Here’s a timeline of the major periods Japan went through thereafter.
15 Japanese historical figures and heroes whose impact on the Land of the Rising Sun continues to be felt today, even for tourists.
250 words and phrases that are commonly used in anime. This epic list includes slang and cool dialect variations, and must-know cute Japanese words.
10 gorgeous temples in Singapore that you must visit when in the Asian metropolis. Be prepared to be blown away by incredible architecture and religious art!
This article examines 25 techniques and tips for effective public speaking. It also includes detailed guidelines for professional speechwriting.
Is solo traveling enjoyable? Is it safe to explore the world on your own? It’s a yes to both questions, if you’re capable of 10 all-important skills.
250 fantasy, mythological and legendary swords for all your creative needs. Use them in your video games, RPGs, stories, and artwork, whichever way you see fit!
It’s the stuff of dreams. A geek’s ultimate heaven manifested in digital flesh. But is the Oasis of "Ready Player One" fame possible in our world?
What are the most useful things to know before visiting Singapore? Here are 25 Singapore travel tips to arm yourself with before visiting the Lion City.
China has enjoyed many golden ages throughout history, but it has also repeatedly suffered under brutal tyrants. Here are the ten most terrible Chinese Emperors to have ruled the Middle Kingdom.
What can visitors enjoy for free at the Hong Kong Museum of History? Four hundred million years of heritage, towering statues, meticulous reconstructions, and much more.
Visiting the Museum of the Mausoleum of the Nanyue King. This Guangzhou attraction showcases one of the most significant archaeological discoveries of China.
7 compelling reasons for you to play Sega’s “Yakuza Ishin!” Officially known in Japan as “Ryū ga Gotoku Ishin!”
Guide to visiting Ngong Ping Village, the heart of Hong Kong’s outlying Lantau Island, where you can experience the best of the ex-colony’s history in one day.
A guide to visiting Canton Tower—one of the most futuristic Guangzhou attractions and the second tallest self-supported tower in the world as of 2023.
A guide to visiting the Southern Chinese city of Guangzhou from Hong Kong using the Guangzhou–Kowloon Intercity Through Train service.
A visual summary of my visit to three classic Hong Kong Night Markets. What a cornucopia of colors, music, fragrances, and exotic street food!
How do you get approval for AdSense in 2023? Here’s a four-step approach based on business attractiveness, content, copyright awareness, and organic traffic.
Looking for fun and quick things to do in Singapore? Here are three enchanting and exciting Singapore museums you can visit in one day. All three are located at the heart of Singaporean downtown.
Volcanoes are as beautiful as they are deadly. Here are seven famous Japanese volcanoes that have inspired fear and love throughout history.
25 tips to help you get the most out of your solo trip to Japan, if you are traveling alone to the Land of the Rising Sun for the first time.
Nine Chinese symbols for love, wealth, luck, and other blessings, that you are likely to encounter during your China vacation.
Despite their simple writing style, many gamebook series contain incredibly rich and detailed worlds. Wouldn’t these masterpieces be great for open-world video game adaptation?
Curious after watching Netflix’s animated "Castlevania" series? Or are you a new fan from playing Konami’s anniversary collections? Here are 25 Castlevania facts to know about!
Stuck at home? Not to worry. You can still see the world with these nine open-world games.
Chinese eunuchs are more often viewed as wicked sycophants than as victims of feudalistic times. No thanks to these 5 despised power-mongers from Imperial Chinese history.
Chinese Empresses seldom feature prominently in the history of China. When they do, however, they leave legacies that horrify or inspire for centuries.
Many retro PlayStation games allow you to experience Japan from the comfort of your sofa. Here are the leading titles to consider playing.
With its cutting-edge technology, Sony’s PS4 can instantly transport you to Japan. Here are five PlayStation 4 games for gamers seeking an immersive Japanese experience.
Are you fond of ninjas, the shadowy warriors of medieval Japan? If you are, do consider playing these 5 retro ninja games and series.
These retro video games might be lacking in graphics and sound by today’s standards, but they are still splendid for experiencing medieval Japan.
Video game movies are seldom great. But if these five were ever made, they would be nothing short of disastrous.
Entrepreneurs, are you struggling with effective staffing for your new companies? Let the ancient Greek gods illuminate your way!
Should you play Sega’s “Yakuza” series? Also known in Japan as "Ryu ga Gotoku?” The answer is a resounding yes, and here are nine reasons why.
Other than warlocks and dragons, “The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim” contains numerous superbly written books, or short stories. These tales might entertain you more than the game itself.
A dominatrix, vending machine porn, and a legendary video for gentlemen – what do these have in common? They're all engrossing "Yakuza 0" substories!
Here are five disturbing movies I just can’t bring myself to watch. I know I wouldn’t be able to survive the viewing of any intact.
Asia is full of awe inspiring sacred sites to visit. Each promising a closer step to the gods and heaven.
Chinese New Year in Singapore is always a dazzling spectacle of lights, yummy food, and auspicious red and gold. This article explores the traditions and celebrations of the lunar spring festival in the city-state.
Why do the Chinese wear red during Chinese New Year? How did the name for Fifteenth Night celebrations come about? These Chinese New Year legends explain all.
How is Christmas celebrated in Singapore? Simply put, it is a season of festive lights, hearty celebrations, yummy food, and yuletide sharing.
It takes a lot to win the hand of the daughter of the God of Storm. As poor Ōnamuji, the future Ōkuninushi, is to discover.
Banished from heaven, Storm God Susanoo wanders the province of Izumo. And comes across a grisly horror that is the Orochi Serpent.
Weary of her brother’s rampages, Shinto Sun Goddess Amaterasu retreats into a cave. Heaven and earth were thus plunged into freezing darkness.
Izanagi and Izanami raised Japan from the sea and birthed a plethora of Shinto gods. Yet, even these progenitor gods are not beyond death.
It’s hard but not impossible to visit expensive Singapore on a budget. Here are 10 useful tips to help you save money.
Here are 7 must-watch Chinese movies that will give you a historical, cultural, or spiritual glimpse of China.
After several misses with "Warlords of Draenor," Blizzard returned to form with the "World of Warcraft: Legion" expansion. Learn about five of the best features added in "Legion."
Five Chinese heroes renowned and respected for their moral uprightness, sense of justice, and undying patriotism to their country.
The magical world of Harry Potter is as dangerous as it is charming! Here are ten terrifying Harry Potter fantastic beasts that would send even mighty Dumbledore scrambling for his wand.
Even supreme sovereigns are not spared drastic permutations of life! Here are 5 captive Chinese emperors who ended their reigns in the worst way possible.
With over 800 rulers in its long history, who are the greatest Chinese emperors? The ones credited with Ancient China’s growth and survival as a major civilization?
A glossary of Wuxia terms and famous names, inclusive of descriptions of classic characters, techniques, and legendary weapons. Categorized for easy search.
What is Wuxia? Is it all about pugilists and death duels? Here’s a beginner’s guide for anyone fascinated by the Chinese world of Wuxia.
Learning Japanese could be a hair-pulling experience. Here are 10 study tips to try when struggling with this devilishly difficult language.
This article lists my top ten favorite soundtracks from Atlus’ “Shin Megami Tensei.” Entries include music from sister series, such as “Devil Summoner.”
Sid Meier's "Civilization" series deserves every accolade it has received over the years. Here are 5 reasons why this legendary game series is worth playing.
It's important to know Chinese New Year business customs and traditions if you are working with Chinese companies.
Burn in hell, ye wicked soul! The Chinese Ten Courts of Hell have the perfect, infernal punishments for your unforgivable sins!
10 Chinese myths and folktales to know before visiting China. Familiarity with the gods and heroes in these legends will make your visit more meaningful.
David Leavitt was once hailed as the first gay fiction writer to crossover to the mainstream market. 20 years later, has this happened? Are his works worth your time?
If you are looking for something gripping and suspenseful to spend a night or two with, a Jonathan Kellerman mystery would be just the thing for you.
Elmo for president! Are you a supporter? Come on, let's all support our favourite furry red buddy to lead the country! Hurray!
The long awaited “eighth story” in the Harry Potter saga was released in end July 2016. Here’s what to expect from this episode, set two decades after the defeat of Voldemort.
Here are 10 important life questions to consider after reading the "Harry Potter" series. Beneath all the magic and action, these books contain important messages about life.
It wouldn't do away with the need to practice. But YouTube can vastly enhance music learning, if you use it correctly.
Stoic wisdom is not just about keeping calm when confronted by adversity. It has plenty of worth for business resilience and success too.
A SWOT Analysis example that examines the business strategy, plans and personal qualities required for entrepreneurship success.
Journalism has various strategies for effective business writing. The most useful of these is the Inverted Pyramid format.
Penang, Malacca, and Singapore were Britain's former jewels of Southeast Asia. Nowadays, their unique heritage attracts travelers from all over the world.
London's iconic Big Ben is not as easy to photograph as you might have thought. In fact, it's quite the challenge even with the right gear.
The Fifth Expansion for World of Warcraft, Warlords of Draenor, deserves an achievement. It managed to frustrate me enough to unsubscribe.
Was Theseus the perfect hero? Why is the Parthenon dedicated to Athena? Knowing these famous Greek myths will make your Greek vacation far more memorable.
Here are 10 yummy and symbolic Chinese New Year foods and snacks to try, should you be visiting Singapore during the Lunar Spring Festival.
My love-hate, admiration-awe-frustration-love relationship, with that gorgeous symbol of Japan, the spectacular Mount Fuji.
My list of various travel photography fails from my travels. And some tips on how you can prevent these.
Ever dream of being a vampire hunter like Simon Belmont? Well, you can—minus the whip, of course. Here are 20 real-life castles perfect for all “Castlevania” fans.
The pickpockets of Europe are crafty. They come when you least expect it. And the weapon they use most often is the element of surprise.
Never assume that you would surely have the convenience of lockers at European train stations. A variety of reasons can ensure the otherwise!
An incident I once swore to myself never to share. A hotel assault incident that I still brood over every now and then.
Once a great way to enjoy Europe with, European rail passes may no longer be worthwhile. Because of the aggressive insistence on reservations.
Invigorating music was something I've always looked forward to in Konami games. Here are my 10 favorite Konami soundtracks from the retro eras.
A celebration of spring time using the classic theme of flower blooms. Pictures from Keukenhof Gardens, Japan and Singapore's Gardens by the Bay.
More dishes in Japanese cuisine to try other than sushi. This list includes foreign dishes that the Japanese have integrated into their cooking.
There is so much more to Japanese food than just sushi, seafood or raw stuff. Here are ten types of Japanese foods to try!
As difficult as they were, I always persevere when playing any “Gradius” games. That’s thanks to the awesome soundtrack in every release.
“Castlevania” games are among the best action platformers ever made. But not every episode in the series is a winner.
Here are 10 retro games and game series that I’m still hoping for remakes of. Will I ever get to replay these classic gems on modern consoles?
Tired of gorgeous architecture and exotic baths? Budapest has something else to offer. The excellent Budapest Zoo.
A fascinating, perfect blend of the past and present, Tokyo night photography will mesmerize even the most jaded traveler.
Gunkanjima, or Battleship Island, is a tiny abandoned island near Nagasaki. It shot to international fame after it was featured in the Bond film, Skyfall.
Heading to Japan to experience the annual Sakura season? Here are 8 tips for a truly memorable experience with the cherry blossoms.
Looking for a weird experience in Singapore? Head on down to Haw Par Villa, hands-down Singapore’s most bizarre statue theme park.
Few other structures represent Japan as much as Japanese castles. Here are seven spectacular ones to visit when in the Land of the Rising Sun.
For the busiest travel corridors of the world, what makes more sense? Train or plane? To ride or to fly?