One of the best day trips you can make from Tokyo is to Mount Nokogiriyama, a 330-meter tall mountain on the Boso peninsula in Chiba…

Japanese is certainly a very complicated language. What with Chinese characters whose readings change depending on the word, and two sets of phonetic characters, it’s…

If you’re a fan of the manga and anime franchise Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba 鬼滅の刃, chances are you have your favorite character by now….

Yukari Tanaka for JAPAN Forward Rikiya Imaizumi, one of the leading directors in romance films, has a new movie – his. It is a sequel…

Gogatsu Ningyo(五月人形), literally translated as “May Dolls”, are displayed in Japanese houses in the honor of the household’s newborn sons. Spring comes with many festivals…

Deaths that happen in January are a serious problem in Japan and the cause that’s lead to more than 1,300 people dying because of accidental…

Copyright cinnamonellie Kimekomi dolls have a long history behind and the custom of making them is still practiced nowadays by women and craftsmen in Japan….

We’ve said our goodbye’s to 2019 and have welcomed in the new decade with fireworks, feasts and parties that have lasted since the 1st of…

Have you ever been on the train or bus with a horrible runny nose? Whether due to allergies or a cold, I’m pretty sure we’ve…

Dream of a VGM Fan I can’t say I’m exactly a Mega Man (originally known as “Rockman”) fan or anything like that. I haven’t even…

On August 6th, 1945, Japan became the only country to suffer an attack by a nuclear weapon. Nearly 75 years later, a debate is raging…

JAPAN Forward Sometimes, traditions have hidden histories to uncover. Other times, the origins can be surprisingly obvious and yet reveal how a traditional celebration has…

Christmas is intended for lovers in Japan, and New Year’s is meant to be spent with family. How about Valentine’s Day? Of course, it’s intended…

Step Into the Sound of NieR Maybe some people think that the music in games is nothing more than a bunch of beeps and boops….

Founded in 1893, Kunjudo embodies the rich and constantly evolving incense making tradition of Awaji Island. Last year, the venerated company showed of their 120…