Japanese Village Faces Ninja Shortage–Even With Salaries As High As $85,000
Japan’s Iga City, the birthplace of ninja, is running out of ninja in 2018. Update: Iga city officials now deny the reported salary and the…
Only in Japan
Omiya Railway Museum Showcases Dawn of Railroads in Japan Until Sept. 30
© Japan Forward Text: Earl H. Kinmonth, Professor Emeritus, Taisho University This year is the 150th anniversary of the Meiji Restoration. In a narrow sense…
Pikachu Outbreak Festival 2018 to be Invaded by Another Pokemon Army
You may have heard of the Pikachu Outbreak event which happens yearly in Japan. Year on year, every summer, the amount of Pikachu involved has…
Japan’s Subzero Vending Machine Sells Soda That Freezes Before Your Eyes
Beat the Summer Heat With a Subzero Drink In the hot summer months, there’s nothing more refreshing than an iced-cold drink. While water and iced…
Famous Manga Artists, Illustrators Support West Japan Flood Victims With Their Art
As the survivors of the West Japan Flood are still struggling to recover from water and landslide damage and mourning the loss of their loved…
![Interview With Touko Nakamura, Japan’s Cutest Anime Song DJ [Video]](https://grapeejapan.com/wp-content/uploads/15799_eyecatch.jpg)
Interview With Touko Nakamura, Japan’s Cutest Anime Song DJ [Video]
Touko Nakamura Is Performing This Weekend at Re:animation 12, Japan’s Largest Outdoor Anime Song, Techno and House Music Festival We had the pleasure of interviewing…
Japan’s Most Beautiful Calligrapher Demonstrates Writing The Most Difficult Kanji
Bisen Aoyagi At 28, the beautiful master calligrapher Bisen Aoyagi has already made a name for herself, having exhibited at numerous galleries, performed live calligraphy…
4 Reasons You Should Be Jealous of Japanese McDonalds’ Adventurous Offerings
Japan really know how to take something and make it their own, evidenced by the range of awesome, jealousy-inducing menu items found in McDonald’s Japan….
Meet Noname-chan, Psychedelic Costume Character and Aspiring Fashion Model
Noname-chan (pronounced “no-na-mé-chan”) is a costumed character with a psychedelic fashion sense, beautifully sparkling eyes and a passion for fashion and music. Produced by miyako,…
The Art of Shinkansen: Bullet Trains in Japan
The Bullet trains in Japan—Shinkansen—are famous worldwide for their speed, efficiency, comfort, and sheer elegance of shape. They are so elegant, in fact, that the…
Happy Cats, Coffee Shops and Carefree Times in TAO’s Cheerful and Nostalgic Illustrations
As she explains on her Tumblr profile, Sapporo-based illustrator TAO is particularly fond of cats, Showa Era things, and sneakers. With their cheerful tone and…
Japanese Instant Noodle Maker Releases Vanilla Ice Cream Creamy Seafood Ramen
Japan releases vanilla ice cream creamy seafood flavored ramen In the world of Japanese instant noodles, a lot of creativity is required to stand out…
“Otaku House” Promises Cheap Lodging and Fun Experiences For Otaku Tourists
Updated on 08/27/2018 Whether or not you identify yourself as an “otaku,” if you’re a fan of anime, gaming, cosplay and other aspects of Japanese…
Japan Invents Anti-“Smell Harassment” Device Which Monitors Your B.O. Level
Smell Harassment In recent years, the term “smell harassment,” often abbreviated to sumehara スメハラ, has become the subject of greater scrutiny in Japan. While it…
Many Days of Summer Sun in 2018: Earliest End Ever for Rainy Season in Tokyo
June 29th: Rainy Season Ends in Tokyo Area Visitors with summer plans in the Kanto Koshin area (which includes Tokyo) will be happy to know…