Category: CULTURE

As we begin the Reiwa era from today, May 1st, it is an ideal time to look back over the past three decades of life in Japan that comprised the Heisei period. Beauty brand Shiseido here presents ...

A promotional series of videos by Fukushima Prefecture promoting the region's sake has run into the very thing it was trying to combat: the taint of contamination (and false information) that the ...

The Japanese media and entertainment world can be almost Stalinist in its approach to damage control. When a celebrity is arrested for an infraction, and especially if it involves drugs or illegal ...

Hello Kitty fans will have another destination to come home in Tokyo this spring with the opening of a new Sanrio store in the Asakusa district of the city. Asakusa is associated with the old ...

This is certainly a novel way to get people's attention. Japan's leading airline ANA has turned to kabuki to liven up the standard pre-flight safety demonstration. As you would expect when kabuki ...

It was only a matter of time before the current inbound tourism boom crossed over directly with the virtual reality attractions fad in Tokyo. And so it is that we have the VR Ninja Dojo, which is ...

It's now only a few weeks left until the Heisei period ends and a new, as-yet-unnamed era begins when Emperor Akihito abdicates and Crown Prince Naruhito takes the throne. As such, we are seeing ...

East meets West. Old meets new. These are cliches but it's a fact nonetheless that Japan produces plenty of inventive examples of this intermingling. We recently reported the release of the ...

The old capital of Kyoto is associated first and foremost with classical culture, but what about androids? The temple Kodaiji in Kyoto has installed Mindar, the world's first android version of ...

There are only a few more months left of the Heisei period, which will end when the current emperor abdicates and his son takes over. The era name will change to an as-yet undisclosed new one and, ...

For some years now, the slum areas of Japanese cities like Sanya in Tokyo and Kamagasaki (now officially known as Airin) in Osaka have experienced a curious form of gentrification, led by the rise of ...

The artist junaida has created a dazzling, beguiling children's book that readers of all ages will love. Unfolding across 46 pages and designed by Hal Udell, Michi depicts a series of vibrant, ...

Final Fantasy fans looking to get hitched in the near future may want to consider a ceremony that marries them to their hobby as well as their spouse. The Final Fantasy XIV Wedding service will be ...

On a moss wall between the city of Chichibu and village of Higashi Chichibu, an unknown artist has created incredible art on a moss wall inspired by the films of Studio Ghibli. Shared by ...

Tokyo Station is not only the most famous rail terminus in Japan's capital, it is also one of the city's best-loved buildings and landmarks. First opened in 1914, it was recently restored to its full ...