Artist summarizes everybody’s feelings about 2020 in ukiyo-e style illustrations
Needless to say, 2020 is a year that many of us won’t forget for a while. The pandemic reared its ugly head causing things like…
Only in Japan
“Almost twenty!” 290,000 people laughed at what happened at this convenience store
Turning twenty is a big deal in Japan. The age marks the transition from childhood to adulthood and is celebrated with a coming-of-age ceremony hosted…
Moomin x Syrup Collaboration: New kawaii spring collection now on sale
Felissimo’s Fashion brand Syrup (シロップ/Shiropppu) has announced a new spring collection in collaboration with the beloved characters of Tove Jansson’s book, the Moomins. © PR…
Gekkan Geinin: The First Monthly Entertainer Photo Exhibition now at Shibuya Parco
Shibuya Parco is a shopping center full of unique and fun things to do, with a young, hip vibe. We’ve covered it before on grape Japan….
Beautiful mother-of-pearl inlay artist’s viral Tweet brings brisk business
Honed through generations of mastery, the techniques used in traditional Japanese crafts are nothing short of complex. They often require delicate handiwork and utmost precision…
Dog Enjoys Northern Japan’s Blizzard
The New Year’s brought heavy snow to Northern Japan. The blizzard conditions across the Hokuriku region caused a standstill on the Hokuriku Expressway and 8…
Nana Asano: The Heisei-Born 21-year-old who yearns for the Showa Era
As an enthusiast of vintage-inspired fashion, past decades, and a fan of Japan’s ‘bubble period’ and Showa myself, I tend to watch anything related to…
Kannō-ji: a temple where pet lovers pray for the rebirth of their beloved cats and dogs in paradise
Japan is the only country in the world where pets outnumber children. Not only are there more pets in Japan than ever, but their owners…
New Demon Slayer earrings are a stylish way to show some love for your favorite characters
Demon Slayer is arguably the most popular anime in Japan right now, and all the related merchandise that’s been popping up everywhere in the country…
New cat-themed kitchenware set from Japan has everything you need for a tea party
There is such an abundance of cat-themed home items in Japan, that if you wanted to fill your entire house or apartment with them, you…
Photographer Brings “The Phoenix Temple” to Life in these Gorgeous Photos
Working mainly in Kansai, Maeyama-san’s (@xxakaxxv) aim is to “move viewers with the beauty of scenic photographs.” Maeyama-san’s recent photography of Byōdō-in Temple’s main hall…
Hachiko, Japan’s favourite dog, may not have been so loyal to his master after all
Ssh! Don’t say it too loud or you’ll frighten the neighbours, but Hachiko, Japan’s favourite dog, may not be the epitome of loyalty he’s cracked…
A pioneering pet lover: the “Dog Shogun,” Tokugawa Tsunayoshi
Japan’s cats and dogs are a secretive bunch. Although you wouldn’t know it from walking the streets of Tokyo, for the majority of owners like…
Japanese artist and designer CHA2’s cyberpunk headgear looks like it came from the future
If your Venn diagram of interests includes Japanese subculture, street fashion, and cyberpunk, chances are you already know about Hirofumi Matsuura 松浦啓文, who goes by…
Singer and voice actress Rumi Shishido’s Sony Music era tracks now streaming worldwide
About Rumi Shishido Rumi Shishido 宍戸留美 launched her singing career in 1989 when, at the age of 16, she was selected as the Grand Prize…