Winter casts a spell of bubbles
In early 2021, a cold spell hit the Japanese archipelago. Recently, it has been frigid throughout various regions of the country. And on the northern…
Japan
![A soon-to-be husband’s touching gift for his fiance [manga]](https://grapeejapan.com/wp-content/uploads/ringsfin-768x576.jpg)
A soon-to-be husband’s touching gift for his fiance [manga]
There are a lot of things to do when a couple decides to get married. Pick a date, introduce the two families, choose a venue…
Doshisha’s smart “sutto” square frying pans are easy to store and save space
Doshisha Corporation has released a set of “smart” square frying pans under the “sutto” brand name, which offer several advantages over conventional models. In developing…
Sakura Forecast 2021: Cherry Blossoms Come to Japan Earlier Than Usual
Arielle Busetto, JAPAN Forward The blooms started opening out in Okinawa on January 13, and are expected in Tokyo around March 18. The Kanhi-Zakura cherry…
Comic otaku breakdancing unit RAB (Real Akiba Boyz) make their concert video available for free
If you’ve had a chance to see the Real Akiba Boyz perform, it’s hard not to appreciate their style. Often dancing to anime songs and…
Reference book on viruses & bacteria uses “Cells at Work!” illustrations; includes novel coronavirus
Fans of the manga and anime Cells at Work! who can speak some Japanese may be interested in a new book coming out from Kodansha….
200 year old maker releases sliced chocolate and traditional Japanese sweets fusion for breakfast toast treat
One of Japan’s most popular wagashi, or traditional sweets, is yokan. Yokan is a thick, jellied dessert made from sugar, red bean paste, and agar….
Japanese concert hall’s witty idea for socially-distanced seating goes viral
With the ongoing novel coronavirus pandemic, Japanese movie theaters, concert halls, and performance halls where people gather in large numbers have needed to implement appropriate…
Sakura from Street Fighter takes on nemesis Red Bull can in amazing stop motion figure video
Award-winning (ADC Young Guns 17) Japanese stop motion animator Kenta Shinohara (@shinohara_kenta) has gained a lot of praise for the videos of his work that…
GBL celebrates 20 years of Spirited Away with vintage Japanese sukajan jacket
Studio Ghibli’s internationally acclaimed Spirited Away celebrates 20 years since its release in 2021. The film is often cited as one of the greatest animated…
State of emergency leads to closure of 61 popular restaurants in the capital
On 7 January 2021 the Japanese government issued Tokyo’s second state of emergency since the deadly virus, COVID-19, was found to have spread to Japan….
Introducing HUU – an all new fashion brand that transcends gender expectations
Unisex, androgynous, gender-neutral, genderless. Whatever you like to call it, that’s where fashion is, and that’s where it plans to stay. Gone are the days…
Japan celebrates 50 years of Doraemon with special collaboration
It has been 50 years since robotic cat from the future, Doraemon, made his earthly debut in Japan. Since the launch of the first Doraemon…
Have you seen Japan’s “highway to heaven”?
Here at grape Japan, we have had many opportunities to introduce Japanese photographer Hisa’s amazing images. Whether it’s the Rising Dragon Valley, an incredible shot…
“Is this a tokusatsu film?” Japanese photographer captures temple struck by lightning
Photographer Natsuki Miyashita 宮下夏樹（@sigmist810）was visiting Zenkōji Temple 善光寺 in Nagano Prefecture, one of the most important and popular temples in Japan founded in the 7th…