Nobel Prize Winner Forgoes Strict Dress Code and Shows Off Traditional Japanese Hakama at Ceremony
One of the co-winners of the Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine this year is Japanese scientist, Tasuku Honjo. His discovery paved the way for…
Culture
Yokai: 6 Bizarrely Specific Demons From Traditional Japanese Folklore
Japanese folklore is a treasure trove of beasts, demons, ghosts and ghoulies. The collective term for these beings is ‘yokai’. Ranging from the terrifying to…
The 2018 Japan Kanji Character Of The Year Is “Disaster”
At the end of every year, the Japan Kanji Aptitude Testing Foundation announces the selection of a kanji, or Japanese character, that embodies the national…
Japan’s Sightseeing Train Boasts Traditional and Stylish Interior Design Inspired by Kyoto Townhouses
When touring around the Kansai area, there’s a whole lot to see and not always enough time. The easiest and most popular way to travel…
Customers In Japan Use Car Sharing For Crying, Training Face Muscles, And Practicing Rap
In Japan, depending on where you live, owning a car can be more of a burden than a convenience. Having a car in the city…
Japanese Museum Looks Over Child’s Lost Stuffed Animal For 30 Years, Provides Bath And New Clothes
Many visitors to Japan from abroad are quick to comment on the surprising measures of convenience and hospitality they experience during their travels, most notably…
Interview With Horipro International CEO Yoshitaka Hori (Part 3): The Business of Musicals
Introduction In June 2018, Japanese entertainment giant HoriPro Inc. announced the creation of HoriPro International, a new company wholly owned by HoriPro, with the goal…
These Magical Photos Prove You Should Visit Kyoto and Nara in the Autumn
You can’t stop us from gushing about Kyoto in autumn. As pointed out in a previous article, ‘Why Autumn is the Most Magical Time to…
Coca-Cola Japan Celebrates The New Year With Plum Blossom And Kimono Design Bottle
Coca-Cola Japan has grabbed headlines in the past with Japan exclusive items such as Coca-Cola’s first ever alcoholic beverage, coffee Coke, and even frozen Coca-Cola…
Let’s All Take A Moment And Appreciate How Sumo Wrestlers Sign Autographs
As very modest compensation for their grueling training and dedicated lifestyles, sumo wrestlers enjoy a bit of a revered status in Japan, and along with…
Virtual Singer YuNi To Have Her First Live VR Concert on Xmas Eve
(Updated: 12/13/18) A rising virtual star Virtual YouTuber and singer YuNi, whom we had the pleasure of interviewing earlier this year, has seen her channel…
Wearing a Mask to Terrify Children Recognised by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Japan
Japan is not a country short on UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Properties and Cultural Heritages. In the most recent additions to the list of UNESCO…
Shin Noguchi Captures The Charming And Odd Of Everyday Life In Japan With Street Photography
In searching the internet for Japanese photography, you’ll find no shortage of beautiful work that celebrates the country’s rich culture and scenery. While many of…
Ajirojima Islet: Where ‘Crumbs of Shooting Stars’ Sleep
(by JAPAN Forward) The moon peeks out between the clouds, silhouetting the profile of the islet. Depicted in a long-exposure photograph are a host of…
Tattooing Is Not A Medical Procedure, Japanese Court Decides
According to the Sankei News, tatto artist Taiki Masuda (30) was acquitted by the High Court of Osaka on Nov. 14 for practicing his art…