Pac-Man sake lineup celebrates video game legend’s 40th anniversary
Japanese roots Although it gained international fame and turned into a cultural phenomenon, some people forget that Pac-Man is a Japanese creation, developed in 1979…
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Studio Ghibli adds 6 new designs to embroidery brooch collection
Donguri Republic, a store specialising in Studio Ghibli gifts and souvenirs, is adding 6 new brooches to their “Full of Ghibli” embroidery brooch collection at…
Overseas start-ups look to spring from the blocks post-lockdown
Zuva, creator of the world’s largest database of start-up companies, says it is optimistic about the prospects for growth once Japan’s ‘state of emergency’ is…
Inside Doraemon’s Museum: A visit to the Fujiko F Fujio Museum in Kawasaki City
Fujiko F Fujio is the pen name of the manga artists duo that brought to life one of Japan’s most beloved characters, Doraemon, the robot…
One Piece teams up with popular snack Umaibō for a cheesy “treasure map” treat
Umaibō, the popular 10-yen stick-shaped corn puff snack which has been a kids’ favorite since 1979, is known for having many zany flavors. Spicy brined…
Kyoto pop icon and Harajuku fashion leader Asachill captured in photobook by M. Kato, influential J-pop artist photographer
Kyoto pop icon Asachill Some of our long-term grape Japan readers may recall model, singer, artist, Harajuku fashion leader and Kyoto pop icon Asachill. We…
Fulfill your dango desire with triple-sized mitarashi dango at Lawson Store 100
One of Japan’s favorite and affordable traditional sweets are dango 団子, dumplings made of mochiko glutinous rice, and prepared with various flavors, toppings and seasonings….
Japanese illustrator reimagines Animal Crossing characters as cute anime girls
As most of our readers surely know, “Animal Crossing: New Horizons” is very popular these days. As reported by Business Insider, the game is Nintendo’s…
Omotenashi Matsuri: Online music party delivers best of anime and Japanese DJ scene
A new project from Omotenashi Beats Omotenashi Beats, a project started in 2019 by Avex Entertainment Inc. (AEI), Avex Management Inc. (AMG), and Avex Pictures…
Get your hands on an environmentally friendly DIY daruma set
With entertainment just a click of a button away these days, it can be hard for us to connect with our more creative and traditional…
Japanese nurse’s touching letter to daughter shows real emotions from a coronavirus frontliner
In the battle against coronavirus, healthcare workers are the ones fighting on the frontlines. Japan has over 16,000 confirmed coronavirus cases (as of May 21),…
Hotel New Otani’s secret French Toast recipe will make breakfast your favorite meal of the day
The state of emergency in Japan has caused a sudden spike in home-cooking fever. With many residents working from home and a lot of restaurants…
A Homemade Ramen Odyssey
(Will Fee, for JAPAN Forward) I had my first taste of Japan in 2011 when I moved to Fukuoka, Kyushu, to work as an eikaiwa…
Japanese government releases list of products containing coronavirus-killing surfactants
For those living in Japan, toilet paper and masks are starting to become more available, but disinfectants and sanitizers are still scarce. According to the…
Tired of Zoom Happy Hour? Meet virtually at Roppongi bar’s VR outpost awabar.vr on ambr
If you’ve lived in Tokyo for a while, you may know about awabar, a friendly little standing style bar in Tokyo’s entertainment district of Roppongi….