Kita Kyushu’s Coming of Age Ceremony is Like No Other
From Spain’s quinceanera, when females turn 15, to the United States’ sweet sixteen parties, cultures around the world celebrate when children come of age. In…
What is Setsubun and why do Japanese eat Ehomaki without talking for good luck?
Setsubun (節分) or “seasonal division,” represents the day of the beginning of the spring and is celebrated as part of the Haru Matsuri(Spring Festival) on…
Kagami Biraki: Opening or Breaking the New Year’s Mochi
Kagami Biraki / 鏡開き is a Shinto custom celebrated annually on the 11th of January and a literal translation of the Japanese term is “Opening…
Japanese toy company releases new Super Mario wooden block toys for kids
Ever since the very first Super Mario Bros. game was released in 1985, generations of fans throughout the years have grown up playing video games…
Keep your lipstick and pens in place with these cute hungry animals from Village Vanguard
Spend any amount of time shopping in Japan and you’ll discover that the country has a unique talent for coming up with all manner of…
Frappuccino for Tea-Loving Chocoholics is Yet Another Valentine’s Day Treat from Starbucks Japan
This month Starbucks Japan are releasing three seasonal chocolate-filled drinks and a chocolatey option for customisation. All in the name of love. Yes, to celebrate…
Mr Donut Collaborates with World’s Best Pastry Chef to Create World’s Most Elegant Donuts
Mr Donut is well known for its innovative collaborations with other chefs and popular franchises, like these gotta eat em all Pokémon donuts. Japan’s national…
We visit ONE PIECE Mugiwara Cafe for an Ace Birthday Meal
January 1st was a very special day, especially if you’re a One Piece fan. Sure, it was the start of 2020, but more importantly, it…
Film Score Orchestra Features the Original Score from Marvel and DC Films
Orchestra Performing Official Film Scores in Japan It’s not unusual to see orchestra concerts held around the world that feature the music from mainstream media…
Japan’s Most Auspicious Days of 2020
In the United States and many other western countries, New Year’s Eve means staying up late with family or friends, counting down, and welcoming the…
Disney Learns The Hard Way With Its Frozen 2 Promotions That Stealth Marketing Isn’t Cool in Japan
Fans around the globe enjoy a good Disney flick, and cute-loving audiences in Japan are no exception. Yet, the mass media conglomerate was recently forced…
The Surprising Truth about Cheating in Japan
Note: This article discusses mature themes Have you seen the Netflix series called “My Husband Won’t Fit”? A happy Japanese couple’s marriage slowly decays because…
FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE Delayed Until April
More Development Woes for FFVII REMAKE According to an official statement by Square Enix, the March 3rd release date for the much anticipated FFVII REMAKE…
Netflix’s “Giri/Haji”: A New Kind of Anglo-Japanese Alliance
Peter Tasker, Arcus Research, for JAPAN Forward Flawed people, troubled times. Conflict in the street, conflict in the soul. Dark secrets unravel in the neon-splattered…
Coca-Cola Japan Reveal Cherry Blossom 2020 Spring Bottle Design Ahead of Sakura Season
While Japan may still be in the chilly throes of winter, the end of the New Year holiday has pretty much given us permission to…