Seriously cool Animal Crossing Clothes by LA Streetwear Brand XLARGE
Animal Crossing New Horizons has undoubtedly been one of the high points of a 2020 otherwise overshadowed by pandemic pandemonium and a postponed Olympics. It…
Culture
Kyoto textile manufacturer makes their famous yukata and garments available in Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp
Earlier this month, Animal Crossing: New Horizons players became able to dress themselves up in the gorgeous designs of a renowned kimono maker. Animal Crossing:…
Mickey Mouse goes kabuki in traditional Japanese woodblock print art fashion lineup
Disney characters and traditional Japanese art may just have a natural affinity, as we recently saw when an amazing artist turned Disney princesses into ukiyo-e…
Recommendations of major summer festivals in Kansai that you shouldn’t miss
Kansai is well-known for its many interesting annual festivals. The region is also home to various events, especially during summertime. If you are planning a…
Throw your own Japanese festival at home with a box of traditional festive goodies
Japan has a way of doing festivals that’s uniquely their own. Rows of stalls selling aromatic food, mini-games where you can try and win a…
Illegal motorbike crossing leaves Iwakuni’s Kintaikyo bridge beaten and battered
On Friday 17 July 2020 local residents of Iwakuni were horrified as they watched a motorcycle cross Kintaikyo Bridge in an evident joyride. The historical…
Stay-at-home Sanrio summer goods recreate festival mood of Japanese street fair
You may have seen images of young Japanese people in yukata holding paper fans and eating shaved ice or cotton candy, or stopping by food…
Haruma Miura’s agency Amuse Inc. releases emotional statement on his untimely death
At 2:10 PM, Saturday, July 18th, 2020, Haruma Miura (30) passed away at a Tokyo hospital. The popular actor and singer began as a child…
Zashiki warashi: the mythical children who look after your house
Perhaps you’ve heard of zashiki warashi? They’re pretty famous in Japanese folklore, and still crop up regularly in anime and manga. They’re ghostly children who…
Learn the lost art of the Ainu language
Like other indigenous groups, the Ainu people of Hokkaido and the north-eastern Honshu island of Japan have experienced marginalization. After the Japanese government annexed their…
Japan pressures China over Uighur crackdown while residents support the Muslim minority
We recently covered the Ainu indigenous people of Japan. We looked at their traditional music as well as “Ainu My Voice,” a short-film following Rie…
Hatsune Miku club event Digital Stars to hold first online event free on Twitch
Hatsune Miku fans, especially those who attended any one of the MIKU EXPO events in Seattle (2016), San Francisco (2016), Los Angeles (2016, 2018), New…
Experience the traditional delights of Japanese summer nights at Suzumushi Cafe
For those who live in the Tokyo area, the novel coronavirus pandemic has put limits on summer vacation plans. Many residents do not wish to…
Being Bishōjo: A dialogue between independent Vtuber Virtual Bishōjo Nem & kigurumi artist Takurō
By – Ben K Introduction As readers of grape Japan can surely attest to, the kawaii aesthetic has become an internationally recognized commodity. But where…
Old-timey footage of Japan
Personally, I’ve always been fascinated by Japanese history. While far from an expert on the issue, there’s just something mystical about the society as it…