Hideharu Egashira, known by his stage name Egashira 2:50, is a Japanese comedian famous for being a shocking and disruptive figure, his gags often relying…

(Noriko Kameoka, Osaka Culture Section, The Sankei Shimbun / JAPAN Forward) Who would have imagined such a long period of inactivity in the performing arts…

Beautiful with rice bran The Bijin Nuka brand was born in Kobe in 1894. Nuka 糠 or ぬか, means rice bran, and the bijin 美人…

In the post-pandemic “new normal” of self-quarantining and social distancing, doll makers have also been stepping up to the plate to make dolls that reflect…

Technically, most of Japan is still in the rainy season, but with temperatures already passing 30 C (86 F) in much of the country, there’s…

Two of the biggest international anime franchises are getting the Casio G-SHOCK treatment this summer. Both models are based on the GA-110 series. With its…

Where’s the Wasabeef? Those who visited a Gusto family restaurant last year may recall the Wasabeef fries on the menu. In fact, we’d be surprised…

An abundance of kanji Although most Japanese people only use a few thousand kanji in their daily lives—six thousand if they’re very knowledgeable—that’s only a…

(Paul Martin, for JAPAN Forward) After more than 250 years of rule, the Tokugawa government’s power had begun to wane. The Japanese people had been…

In Japan, using a fan to cool off in summer is a common sight. They are neither limited to ceremonial usage nor are they used…

Some people just can’t get enough of mayonnaise. There’s even a name for mayo-holics in Japanese: マヨラー mayorā. Although it’s common in Japan to see…

The continued success of The Promised Neverland “The Promised Neverland” continues to draw attention both at home and abroad. The award-winning manga series, written by…

The novel coronavirus pandemic is providing an opportunity for people to discover ways in which they can practice physical distancing while bridging social distance, and…

The Kawaii Monster Cafe is an icon of Harajuku fashion culture, blending the charmingly kawaii as well as the delightfully chaotic. It is always popular…

With Father’s Day rapidly approaching, and the Chugen gift-giving season not far behind, many people in Japan are thinking about summer gift ideas. Fruit jellies…