Introduction As readers of grape Japan can surely attest to, the kawaii aesthetic has become an internationally recognized commodity. But where does kawaii come from?…

If you’re visiting Tokyo this January and your interests fall somewhere within the Venn diagram of anime, manga, Japanese subculture and art, then there’s a…

On November 17th, on a gloriously sunny Saturday morning, we arrived at Shimizu Station in Shizuoka Prefecture to attend the 6th annual Mount Fuji Cosplay…

There’s no other feeling like being wrapped in a blanket of warmth during cold winter days, and Ghibli fans will be ecstatic to know that…