David Bowie Immortalized As Awesome Japanese Ukiyo-e Artwork
David Bowie lives on as traditional Japanese artwork. UKIYO-E PROJECT was started by Yuka Mitsui, CEO of Mitsui Agency International, to preserve the traditional art…
Music
Bruno Mars Throws Towel at Model Who Won’t Stop Recording Him, Japanese Fans Supportive
Japanese fans angry after two models filmed themselves dancing and recorded part of a Bruno Mars concert, upsetting the singer and causing him to throw…
Final Fantasy 7 Music Played Traditional Japanese Style on Shamisen Wows Nostalgic Gamers
Although you’re most likely to see Japanese instruments such as the shamisen at a festival or traditional performance, their potential for adding a whole new…
The Amazing and Hypnotic Sounds of the Chopstick Piano
If you look outside the realm of “common” instruments, you might just find yourself floored by what seems like out-of-this world sounds, as can be…
Japanese Buddhist Monk DJ Combines Sick Beats with Religious Chants for Rave-like Services in the Temple
This video from Great Big Story on YouTube introduces Gyosen Asakura, a monk and chief priest of a Buddhist temple. Initially he rejected the expectation…
Japanese Band Send Up Trump with New Robot Dance Video Called ‘Let’s Start WW3’
You may have seen WORLD ORDER’s signature salary-man suits and robotic dance before when the video for their song ‘Have a Nice Day’ became a…
Worldwide Auditions for New Anime Looking for English Speaking Singers
Is it your dream to star in a Japanese anime but thought you would never get the chance due to your language? An amazing opportunity…
![The Geishas of Kyoto’s Gion District Gather For A Flamboyant New Year Ceremony [Video]](https://grapeejapan.com/wp-content/uploads/15503_eyecatch.jpg)
The Geishas of Kyoto’s Gion District Gather For A Flamboyant New Year Ceremony [Video]
Geishas and maikos (apprentice geishas) in the hanamachi entertainment quarters of Gion and Pontocho gathered on January 7 to participate in a yearly ceremony to…
All of Japan’s Traditional Festivals and Regional Delicacies Under One Roof: Furusato Matsuri at Tokyo Dome
Not many people have the time or money to travel all around, to sample all the food and see all the festivals Japan has to…
From Grandpas to Virtual Currency: 5 Weirdly Themed Japanese Idol Groups
You may have heard of famous idol groups from Japan such as AKB48 and Morning Musume, but aside from these standard cute J-pop girls, there’s…
Kyoto Night Club LAB.TRIBE : An Entertainment Space Transcending All Genres
There are a few good night clubs in Kyoto, such as World Peace Love which we saw in our coverage of the Pontocho area last…
The Most Ridiculous Song For Learning Japanese English
With the approach of the 2020 Olympic Games and an uptick in foreign tourism, Japan has started a campaign to make traveling in the country…
Shibuya 109 Collaborate with BTS for Pop-up Store and Christmas Campaign
The legendary purveyors of Tokyo trends, Shibuya 109 have made so-hot-right-now South Korean boy band BTS the faces of their Christmas campaign, which is succinctly…
World’s First Skateboard Karaoke To Open In Kyoto
Karaoke is still one of Japan’s favorite leisure activities, so it comes as no surprise that karaoke system companies are always looking for ways to…
Japanese Slit Drum Inspired By Traditional Garden Ornament Makes Beautiful Otherworldly Sounds
When you think of Japanese instruments, you may be familiar mostly with the koto, shakuhachi, and shamisen, as well as how they can be used…