One of the co-winners of the Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine this year is Japanese scientist, Tasuku Honjo. His discovery paved the way for a new cancer treatment which he hopes can become available for patients around the world. Congratulations to James Allison and Tasuku Honjo! Watch the moment the 2018 Medicine Laureates collect their #NobelPrize diploma and medal. pic.twitter.com/KGRwFZFOo4 — The Nobel Prize (@NobelPrize) 10 December 2018 He is far from the first Japanese recipient of the award, 26 others have come before him. But his appearance at the ceremony in Stockholm on 10th December has become a great source of national pride for Japan. The reason is…

Japanese folklore is a treasure trove of beasts, demons, ghosts and ghoulies. The collective term for these beings is ‘yokai’. Ranging from the terrifying to the adorable, the sheer range is a testament to human creativity. Some of these yokai offer an imaginative, supernatural answer for some of life’s happenings, and sometimes the strangest thing about them is the very specific nature of their activities. Nurikabe Unknown author [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons When walking the pathways and backalleys of Japan at night, watch out for nurikabe. Basically a moving wall, these apparitions appear out of nowhere to block random human’s paths. Although said to be invisible, Japanese artists through…

At the end of every year, the Japan Kanji Aptitude Testing Foundation announces the selection of a kanji, or Japanese character, that embodies the national mood and sums up the atmosphere and major events of the year known as the Kanji of the Year. 2017’s kanji was “North” due mostly to heightened tensions with North Korea (as well as potato shortage in Hokkaido) and “Gold” was selected for 2016 because of Japan’s performance at the 2016 Rio Olympics and a shift in interest rates. After all votes from the general public were tallied, Chief Buddhist priest Seihan Mori unveiled 2018’s kanji by writing it on a sheet of paper with…

When touring around the Kansai area, there’s a whole lot to see and not always enough time. The easiest and most popular way to travel around is via Japan’s famously clean and efficient rail service. If you could spend the time taken travelling sightseeing and experiencing Japanese culture, you wouldn’t have to waste a single minute. The Kyo-train is a sightseeing express which allows you to take in the scenery in a luxury atmosphere. The Kyo-train GARAKU, which will set off from March next year is the second edition, which will go between Osaka Umeda and Kyoto Kawaramachi. With the concept of fully immersing passengers in a Kyoto atmosphere as…

In Japan, depending on where you live, owning a car can be more of a burden than a convenience. Having a car in the city typically means the additional cost of a parking space, and conveniently and speedy public transportation often discourages many from purchasing an automobile. This has created a receptive market for car sharing services, which offer an affordable alternative for those who simply want access to a car for short periods of time–such as used for picking up one’s children or running errands–for a matter of a few hundred yen. Source: metamorworks / PIXTA(ピクスタ) But it seems the convenient service is actually being used for a lot…

Of all the legendary convenience store snacks in Japan, fried chicken must be one of the most popular. Sitting there, bathing in the warm, tempting glow of the heated cabinet… how many of us, while paying for our goods, can’t stand the glare any longer and burst out to the cashier, ‘and one box of karaage please!’ While Family Mart is famous for ‘Fami-chiki’, one hot piece of fried chicken in a paper bag, Lawson have their own rival. Their specialty is small pieces of fried chicken in a box decorated with a cute chicken mascot, called ‘Karaage-kun’. View this post on Instagram Yuika Yasukouchiさん(@0605.yh)がシェアした投稿 – 2018年10月月11日午前4時13分PDT In an effort…

Many visitors to Japan from abroad are quick to comment on the surprising measures of convenience and hospitality they experience during their travels, most notably having forgotten or misplaced personal belongings returned to them promptly and safely. While it’s never safe to assume, Japan seems to be as good a place as any to lose something and hope to get it back. Chido Museum in Yamagata prefecture is no different. The private museum in Tsuruoka houses historical samurai homes and a collection of Shonai-clan samurai related goods, but the display of important cultural properties is finding itself getting loads of popular attention due to an effort of longstanding kindness on…

In Japan, it’s quite common to sit on the floor, particularly in housing with tatami flooring, so it’s always good to have a selection of pillows to cuddle up with for comfort and warmth. Fortunately Japan has interesting pillows in spades, including viral sexy daikon raddish, giant mackerel, and twin tails that devour you varieties of cushions. Now after a successful crowdfunding effort in the U.S., a life-sized butt shaped pillow is making its debut in Japan to a butt lover’s welcome. Source: Kibidango Originally the pet project of American Jia, a fan of butts who says he came up with the idea of the posterior-shaped cushion on a lonely…

Tokyo Disneyland have previously announced their plans for an ambitious expansion project, the most expensive in the park’s history. Brand new themed areas will be added such as Frozen’s fictional kingdom of Arendelle and Peter Pan’s Neverland. As work is slowly progressing, Disney have given us a behind the scenes look at a brand new attraction being built. Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast will be the movie’s first ever ride through attraction, anywhere in the world and is the first time the main characters of Belle and the Beast have been made into animatronics. The video gives a cool insight into how Disneyland create the immersive worlds we…

Introduction In June 2018, Japanese entertainment giant HoriPro Inc. announced the creation of HoriPro International, a new company wholly owned by HoriPro, with the goal of aggressively expanding overseas with a focus on Asia. Aiming for the “creation of world-class specialists,” HoriPro International manages voice actors and music artists with international potential. May’n, Azusa Tadokoro, Ami Wajima, Machico, DJ YURIA, and cosplayer Liyuu are some of the more famous members in the current lineup. At the helm of HoriPro International is visionary leader Yoshitaka Hori, President & CEO of HoriPro Inc. A vital contributor to the HoriPro Group ever since he joined in 1993, Mr. Hori has been president since…

You can’t stop us from gushing about Kyoto in autumn. As pointed out in a previous article, ‘Why Autumn is the Most Magical Time to Visit Kyoto’, different areas of Japan are at their best at different seasons. Kyoto, while lovely all year round, is particularly magical during autumn, thanks to surrounding mountains and leafiness which explode into a range of fiery hues. Photographer, Yako, spent 20 hours shooting in the height of Kyoto’s fall, and also visited neighbouring prefecture Nara, known for the deer which roam freely around the town and surrounding national parks. Source: yako_FLPR3 Source: yako_FLPR3 The almost otherworldly results show a bit of everything which makes…

Jewellers U-Treasure are the purveyors of fine jewellery for the more sophisticated otaku. They have a wide range of themed items based on popular series such as Star Wars or Pokemon, but their items don’t look childish or garish in any way. The stylish jewellery is aimed at adult fans, and they’ve even brought out some pretty Pokemon wedding rings for trainers who are done adventuring solo. A very delicate and feminine line of necklaces dedicated to the ever-popular Eeveelutions (a collective term for the different Pokemon that can evolve from Eevee) have recently become available. The whole set of Eeveelutions were revealed one by one in classic ‘Who’s that…

Anime fans rejoiced when Netflix announced during last week’s Anime Lineup Presentation event that they would stream Hideaki Anno’s megapopular and iconic anime series Neon Genesis Evangelion, as well as Neon Genesis Evangelion: Death & Rebirth and Neon Genesis Evangelion: The End of Evangelion films around the world next spring. While obviously excited, fans of the original dub voiced concerns over whether the original ADV Films dub would be featured, or if Netflix would choose to re-dub the classic series. As many longtime fans of the series identify Shinji, Rei, and Asuka with the voice acting performances of Spike Spencer, Amanda Winn Lee, and Tiffany Grant, the concern was understandable….

Are you a 27-year-old OL (office lady)? Are you curious about sake but never drink it because you don’t think it’s Insta-worthy and doesn’t fit into your idea of a happy, fulfilled life? If that describes you, then H View Corp. wants you to try a new concept bar opening up on December 12 in the Kamata area of Tokyo called “Hoisassa.” Oh, and for some reason, they think you’d also react positively to an advertisement of a drunken foreigner in a suit riding a rocking horse, yelling: “It’s all your fault, sake!” © PR Times, Inc. We’re not making this up. Their press release clearly states: Our target is…

If you happen to be in Japan over this New Year’s holiday season, one of the things you may be interested in trying is traditional Osechi ryori お節料理 (Osechi cuisine). These are special dishes, usually served in a square box, often a lacquered jubako tray, which are intended to celebrate the New Year. These dishes are either made with luxury ingredients (top-tier seafood items such as shrimp, crab or lobster) or are considered auspicious because they symbolize long life, family happiness and bountiful harvest. Unless you are fortunate enough to spend New Year’s Day with a Japanese family, the only way to try Osechi cuisine as a foreign visitor is…