Discovering Japan in Hong Kong, the city that never sleeps
Japanese translator Miruka Adachi, who was raised in Hong Kong and calls the city her second home, rediscovers the enduring connection between the two regions….
Culture
People’s minds are blown that these aren’t photos of Japan
Kirie, the traditional Japanese art of paper cutting, is definitely a delicate craft. Making use of negative space and relying on painstaking and intricately carved…
Japanese high school girl who broke no-dating rule sues school for de-facto expulsion and wins
Japanese school rules and the law The fact that high schools have rules governing their students’ behavior is nothing surprising. However, some Japanese schools have…
“Gensōkyō System” adds special effects to cosplay shoots via projection mapping & AI
Cosplay photo and video shoots seem to be getting more sophisticated year by year. While various video editing and specialized software applications have become easier…
Adorable rabbit Daruma are jumping into the New Year
Kanata Iwasaki at The Sankei Shimbun, JAPAN Forward It’s peak season at Arai Daruma, a small traditional shop in Hiratsuka City, Kanagawa Prefecture. Beginning with…
Realizing a dream life in Japan: Interview with Jenya, professional voice actress and singer
Some of our readers may have dreams they want to realize in Japan. If you do, you’ll surely find an excellent role model in Jenya…
![[Kimono Style] Kyoto Jidai Matsuri: A Catwalk of Fashion Through the Ages](https://grapee.jp/en/wp-content/uploads/JidaiMatsuri-768x576.jpg)
[Kimono Style] Kyoto Jidai Matsuri: A Catwalk of Fashion Through the Ages
Centered around 2000 volunteers, the Kyoto Jidai Matsuri brings to life the rich kimono styles, textiles, and figures of Japanese history. Sheila Cliffe, for JAPAN…
“Fox wedding” procession enchants Japanese city residents on Halloween
For two evenings on the weekend before Halloween this year, the city of Kagoshima was privy to an unusual Halloween parade. Seeing children dressed as…
An Otaku Guesthouse? UOI Inn is Revitalizing Okayama
Just in time for the Setouchi International Art Triennial, the 100-year-old UOI inn-turned into a perfect otaku guesthouse has reopened for business. Yuki Takada, JAPAN…
Japan’s “hardest food”? You may be in for a surprise when you learn this Japanese word
Although there are numerous Japanese dishes the likes of ramen, tonkatsu, and tempura which appeal to the majority of foreign visitors, there are some Japanese…
Japan’s Night Parade of One Hundred Demons returns in terrifying force after three year hiatus
On the third Saturday of every October, it’s a semi-Halloween tradition for Kyoto’s Ichijo-dori Street to host a giant procession that recreates the recreation of…
Beloved Showa era cafe inspired to fight through pandemic by fan’s heartfelt message
The アメ横商店街 Ameyoko Shopping Street in Tokyo’s 上野 Ueno neighborhood is one of the most famous shopping streets in Japan. A beloved Showa era cafe…
Watch a modern day samurai and sword master slice 160 km/h baseball with ease
If you’ve ever been to a batting cage, you know that getting a clean swing off of a 160 km/h (roughly 100mph) fastball is no…
Tenkawa Village in Nara: The Sacred Location of ‘Shugendo’
A steep mountain with deep ravines surrounded by green trees gives birth to a river of life and a faith of gratitude that has resisted…
Slit-mouth woman and other Japanese ghouls turned into traditional sweets
Established in 1901, Tohoen is one of Japan’s most renowned makers of wagashi (traditional Japanese confectionery). While that may lead you to believe they’re a…