Bumper crop of films scoop prizes at 13th Okinawa International Film Festival
The 13th Okinawa International Film Festival came to a close after a weekend of screenings of sterling creations from some of the brightest talents in…
Written By : George Lloyd
Momotani Juntenkan launches range of Halal beauty products for Muslim women
Momotani Juntenkan has been helping Japanese women to become even more healthy and beautiful since it was established 136 years ago. Now it has launched…
Den-en-chōfu: Ebeneezer Howard’s utopian garden suburb brought to life in Tokyo
One of the striking things about Tokyo is the lack of mansions. The city certainly has wealthy residential neighbourhoods, such as Akasaka, Aoyama and Azabu,…
Catch the magnificent Nemophila blooms at Hitachi Seaside Park in Ibaraki
The nemophila at Hitachi Seaside Park are currently in their full glory and, this year, they are expected to remain so until Sunday, April 25th….
Tracing the remains of the ancient Fujikō cult in Tokyo’s mini Mount Fujis
Mount Fuji has always been regarded as a sacred mountain, but for much of their history, the Japanese have been content to admire the iconic…
The Fascinating Memorial Museum for Soldiers, Detainees in Siberia, and Post-war Repatriates
Don’t be put off by the cumbersome name. The Memorial Museum for Soldiers, Detainees in Siberia, and Post-war Repatriates is a fascinating place. Though little-known,…
Ranjatai: priceless piece of aromatic wood is source of emperor’s most exquisite incense
The Ranjatai (蘭奢待) is one of Japan’s great hidden national treasures, a priceless piece of aromatic agarwood that is the source of the emperor’s most…
Kuge: Japan’s original art snobs have a lot to answer for
Traditional Japanese artistic disciplines like calligraphy, the tea ceremony, and flower arranging are loved and admired around the world. But why are they enveloped in…
In praise of Masato Hara, legendary film producer, who has died at 89
Masato Hara 原正人, the legendary film producer who worked with Akira Kurosawa, Nagisa Oshima and other leading Japanese filmmakers in a seven-decade career, died of…
Only one week left to see exhibition of Constructivist posters at Teien Art Museum
Art lovers have less than one week left to see Constructivist Posters of the 20th Century at the Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum in Shirokanedai….
Komomaki, straw belts protecting Japan’s trees from winter cold, may do more harm than good
Japanese gardeners are much admired for the scrupulous care they take of their plants, particularly in the winter months. One example is yukitsuri (雪吊りliterally, ‘snow…
AKB48: pioneers of pop music for the 21st century
As a mass-marketed pop group with a pool of over 100 members from whom acts are chosen, AKB48 mark a remarkable departure from the traditional…
Cool cap from Yamanashi recycles traditional inden lacquered deerskin and Fujiyama Ori cloth
This cool cap is the fruit of a collaborative project between traditional craft makers in Yamanashi prefecture. It combines Inden lacquered deerskin and Fujiyama Ori…
A visit to Zenpukuji Temple in Azabu to see the oldest tree in Tokyo
The Giant Gingko Tree at Zenpukuji temple is said to be the oldest tree in Tokyo. Although it is only 20 metres in height, which…
Hiraizumi: a fabled earthly paradise made rich by gold dust
In the Travels of Marco Polo, the great Venetian explorer calls Japan “the land of gold – Zipangu.” It is believed that he wrote these…