A Buddhist priest on the unlikely similarities between Zen and Studio Ghibli
At first glance Studio Ghibli and the world of Zen don’t really have much in common. One is a way of life, and the other…
Culture
Enjoy the serene delights of the tea ceremony from the observation deck of Tokyo Tower
As of November 21st, Tokyo Tower is offering visitors the chance to enjoy a traditional tea ceremony while enjoying the wonderful views to be had…
Top 10 Slang for Young Japanese Women
Beginning in 1995, Japanese magazine egg delivered the latest about gyaru fashion and featured photos of ganguro girls in the streets. © PR Times, Inc….
The challenge of cleaning Japan’s tallest statue; the Ushiku Daibutsu
It seems human beings have always had a bit of an obsession with the world’s tallest things. From the arguably mythical existence of the Tower…
Ex-Dempagumi.inc idol Moga Mogami deflects criticism of decision to have child out of wedlock
Japan, unfortunately, has an issue when it comes to putting celebrities and idols under a microscope. They can often be subjects of online comments that…
‘The World’s Tastes Have Turned Japanese,’ Says Pop Culture Guru Matt Alt
Arielle Busetto, JAPAN Forward Matt Alt has lived and worked in Japan since 2003. With the insight and expertise learned on the floors of companies…
Shoko Nakagawa’s comments on schools’ “No nickname policy” provide food for thought
The TBS TV show, “Gutto Luck!” aired an episode on October 28th, 2020, with a particular focus on the “no nickname policy” which has been…
Japanese calligraphist shows how you can write gorgeous kanji with a cheap pen
Whether it be traditionally practiced Japanese calligraphy or simply an extremely neatly written signboard, there’s something very satisfying about watching perfectly handwritten kanji. Taught from…
New illustrated book shows changing trends in Japanese make-up from Heiwa to Reiwa
An illustrated history of changing trends in Japanese make-up over the past 30 years has become a big hit with Twitter users. Professional illustrator Pai…
Tipping, white teeth, fast food, and other Americana Japanese people don’t understand
Americans and other foreign residents living in Japan likely feel exasperated by cultural differences from time to time. Especially early in their stay, the seemingly…
Discover Hokusai through performance and stage art; ‘The Life of HOKUSAI’
Japan’s Katsushika Hokusai, is perhaps the world’s most famous painter. Believed to have created more than 30,000 works in his lifetime, that are highly valued…
Awata Shrine in Kyoto adopts a whimsical and winsome measure to prevent COVID spread
“Atypical” is typical during the days of the COVID-19 pandemic. Like every country, Japan is growing accustomed to peculiar policies and awkward workarounds as commerce…
Mika Ahn’s comment about men using makeup is praised online: “Nailed it” “Totally agree”
On November 6th 2020, 『グッとラック!』(“Gutto Luck!”), an information variety show on Japanese TV network TBS, had a special on the recent trend towards normalization of…
Artist fuses animals and Japanese food into incredibly charming traditional woodblock prints
Ukiyo-e, or traditional Japanese woodblock prints, are perhaps the most defining art style of Japan. In recent years, the genre has enjoyed a bit of…
Sayonara, Bondo-san: Sean Connery’s Japan
Peter Tasker, Arcus Research for JAPAN Forward ~You only live twice, or so it seems One life for yourself, and one for your dreams~ From…