Can video games solve social issues? Research by BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment & top university
The joy of immersing ourselves in a good video game is one of the greatest pleasures unique to the 21st century. Whether it’s stomping on…
Culture
Tōno: immerse yourself in the distant past with a visit to the cradle of Japanese folklore
Tōno 遠野 in Iwate Prefecture is the home of many Japanese folk tales. The town is the setting for Tōno Monogatari 遠野物語, an anthology of…
Flowers by NAKED returns to Nijō Castle, lighting up the grounds in all the colours of Spring
Japanese creative art and design agency, NAKED inc., may have one of the quirkiest names in the industry, but don’t judge them by that –…
Enjoy your very own cherry blossom viewing from home with this sakura ikebana set
If you’ve been itching to view the Cherry Blossoms but would rather avoid the big crowds that often gather under the trees, we understand. But…
Maiko artshop: Japanese artist Kawakami Tetsuya draws Illustrations of Maiko
One of my recent hobbies is to scroll through the Instagram feed, discover new artists, entertaining posts, and innovative styles. That is how I stumbled…
Spice up your fragrance game with beautiful fallen leaf paper incense by historic maker
Japan’s Awaji Island holds a rich tradition of crafting some of the most highly praised incense in the country. Founded in 1993, incense maker Kunjudo…
Shibuya & Kyoto art cultures unite in “Asachill presents SHIBUYAGION- Group Exhibition”
Kyoto pop icon Asachill Some of our long-term grape Japan readers may recall model, singer, artist, Harajuku fashion leader and Kyoto pop icon Asachill. We…
Elegant sakura Japanese sake cups bloom into colorful cherry blossoms with chilled sake
With sakura season fast approaching in Japan, many are longing to celebrate the country’s beautiful cherry blossoms by celebrating with hanami, or flower viewing parties…
Fashion brand Gatsby redefines what’s “cool” with actor Takeru Satoh. What’s your take?
“Who decides what’s cool?” Most have probably wondered this from time to time, especially when you hear whispers of bell bottoms coming back in style…
Documentary challenges Japanese fashion students to create adaptive clothing for diverse body types
The premise of the upcoming documentary, “Clothes in Conversation” is simple: a group of six up-and-coming fashion designers are challenged to create brand new looks…
Virtual tour of Kyoto kimono shops lets you travel from the comfort of your home
The novel coronavirus pandemic continues to make it difficult for international travel to Japan, let alone domestic travel within the country. For those who love…
![[Hidden Wonders of Japan] A Shop in Hyogo Brings Dolls With a Twist for Girls’ Festival](https://grapeejapan.com/wp-content/uploads/kaguyabina_t-768x576.jpg)
[Hidden Wonders of Japan] A Shop in Hyogo Brings Dolls With a Twist for Girls’ Festival
By JAPAN Forward The name of the doll decorations comes from the ancient Japanese “Tale of the Bamboo Cutter.” The tale is so popular it…
Japan has a website mapping complaints of neighborhoods with noisy children
Over the past year, situations like enforced work-from-home conditions and schools closing down have pushed many Japanese people to spend more time at home than…
Is Japan really a nation of nature lovers?
The idea that Japanese people have a particularly close relationship to nature, which westerners have somehow lost, is deeply ingrained in how the Japanese perceive…
A Japanese fairy story: Urashima Tarō and the Dragon Palace beneath the sea
Urashima Tarō （浦島太郎）is one of the most famous fairy stories in Japan, known to millions of elementary schoolchildren. One day a young fisherman named Urashima…