Artist creates breakfast moment of Zen with awesome Japanese rock garden toast
Designer and artist Manami Sasaki has taken up quite the creative and delicious project in terms of dealing with stay and work from home protocol….
Culture
Disenfranchised parasite singles in Japan look to their parents to help find a spouse
Japanese culture is caring and considerate. Consider how family members care for pets, and you’ll quickly see they are practically surrogate children. Nevertheless, essential life…
The rockenest most Osakanest granny idol group in town
Every generation has its heroes: John Wayne, The Beatles, Steve McQueen, Bruce Springsteen, Doogie Howser. Yet, these days in Japan, you’re more likely to see…
A few observations on the state of ADHD treatment in Japan
Not too long ago, I was working on an article entitled Five Stupid Ways to Get Arrested in Japan, in which I mentioned the perils…
Japanese Yoga influencers offer peace of mind during difficult and lonely times
I’m likely not alone. From an anecdotal perspective, the popularity of yoga seems to be increasing in Japan in recent years. I’ve noticed more online…
Sensōji Temple’s Kaminarimon Gate Gets a New Giant Lantern
With social distancing measures keeping everyone away from one another, this lockdown is the perfect time for a make-over. What better time to restart than…
Teleworking mum accidentally uses polite language on her kids and slang on her boss!
In Japan, as in the rest of the world, working from home during the coronavirus lockdown has become the new normal for millions of people….
Tiger Mask donation: Japan’s anime-Inspired generosity
It is often during the darkest times that our lives are illuminated by displays of the brightest generosity. Indeed, while our news feeds in recent…
Japan’s anti-plague demon turned into pandemic-fighting rice cracker
Amabie is a fish an humanoid hybrid yokai (a spirit or demon of Japanese folklore) that has seen a very timely resurgence in popularity these…
‘Free As a Bird’: Why Beatlemania Endures in Japan
Will Fee, for JAPAN Forward The owners of the Tin Toy Museum in Yamate, Yokohama, keep a big friendly Ukrainian Shepherd Dog. He likes to…
Handwritten note to restaurant moves Twitter users to tears
A series of heartwarming updates posted by a Twitter user have earned over 100,000 ‘likes.’ The coronavirus lockdown means that Twitter user Sumo (@smm0228) isn’t…
Cherry blossom viewings canceled, Japanese residents turn homes into sakura sanctuaries
COVID-19 and the associated lockdowns have people down. Restaurants and bars are empty as nightlife has mostly ground to a halt. Residents have few options…
Ainu My Voice – a documentary focusing on the modern-day struggles of the Ainu people
Of all the indigenous people of Japan, the Ainu are arguably the most well known amongst both the Japanese and international communities. An ancient tribe…
This kawaii Instagram couple is pushing the bounds of genderless, unisex fashion
Japan has a reputation for being fashionable. Just take a walk down Takeshita Street, “kawaii central,” near Harajuku station. This insanely crowded pedestrian shopping area…
Beloved Voice Actor Fujiwara Keiji Passes Away at Age 55
With heavy hearts, we have received word that veteran voice actor Fujiwara Keiji (藤原啓治) has passed away at age 55 just two days after the…