Yanagiya Tozaburo Introduces ‘Rakugo’ to the World
Written by Toru Matsugaki for JAPAN Forward Tozaburo Yanagiya, 42, is a storyteller with a drive to spread the word on rakugo, a traditional form…
Sightseeing
Lush Japan’s Flagship Shinjuku Store to Become World’s First Digital Shopping Experience Spot
Starting as a small company in the UK, Lush has become a firm favourite of beauty and skincare enthusiasts due to their ethical sourcing and…
When Train Cultures Collide: Tatami Kanzaki’s One-Frame Manga Depicts A Traveler’s Woes
Osaka vs. Tokyo: Differences in Culture and Etiquette The cultural differences between Kanto (the region centered around Tokyo), and Kansai (the region where you’ll find…
6th Pikachu Outbreak is Taking Over Yokohama Summer 2019 for Biggest Event Yet
Every year a yellow epidemic unleashes itself on the people of Yokohama, a city not far from Tokyo. It’s uncontrollable and lasts for nearly a…
Hinasushi, Known For All-You-Can-Eat Sushi Including Toro and Uni, Opens in Roppongi
If you want to eat sushi to your heart’s content when you visit Japan, you either need to have yen to spare or find a…
Best 3 Dog Cafes in Tokyo: Full Guide
Japan is home to a plethora of pet cafes which have gained popularity with animal lovers looking to de-stress and hang out with some cute…
New Exhibit Displays Original Evangelion Artwork And Rebuild Of Evangelion Inspired Japanese Swords
Neon Genesis Evangelion fans may be getting a treat they never knew they wanted in the form of a newly revived exhibit in Tokyo. For…
Giant Furry Cat Man Sells Roasted Sweet Potatoes Out Of Traveling Cart In Japan
Many were pleasantly surprised to learn of a “self-employed” shiba inu selling roasted sweet potatoes (yaki-imo) at an honor-system based booth in Japan, but his…
Tokyo’s Adorable Pig Cafe Lets You Cuddle Up with Micro-Pigs
In a city where small apartments with strict rules have made pet ownership difficult, the list of animal cafes just keeps growing and growing. Tokyo’s…
Shibuya Moves To Ban Street Drinking During Halloween Celebration
Tokyo’s Shibuya district is moving forward with regulations to ban public drinking in streets, parks, and areas around the Shibuya Station after last year’s outdoor…
“Once-In-A-Hundred Year” Sightings of Bamboo Blossoms Reported In Japan
Many of our readers have probably seen bamboo growing and perhaps even visited famous Japanese bamboo forests such as the one in Arashiyama, Kyoto. However,…
Could This Be Japan’s “Escherian Stairwell”? Pub Patrons Confused By Building Layout
Some optical illusions are intentional like trompe l’oeil paintings in amusement parks or murals, or on a smaller scale like this young Japanese artist who…
Free Downloadable Environment Lets You Explore Kyoto’s Famouse Fushimi Inari Shrine With Unreal Engine 4
Fushimi Inari Taisha in Kyoto is one of the most popular tourist spots in the area. The sprawling shrine is most famous for its path…
Odate City Opened an Akita Inu Museum Where You Can Even Meet an Akita Dog
Shiba inu may be the most recognisable Japanese breed at the moment, due to online antics such as running their own sweet potato stands or…
To Slurp Or Not To Slurp: Tourists’ Reactions Spark Online Debate on Noodle Manners
As Japan approaches the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, the number of foreign visitors continues to increase year by year. A record 31 million foreign tourists visited…