In the 1980s Jean-Michel Basquiat ジャン=ミシェル・バスキア emerged as probably the first real-deal African-American art superstar. Beginning as a graffiti artist…
Paul McInnesMarch 18, 2025
"Ah, Barcelona! Olympic Games, Sagrada Familia." An almost unanimous chant uttered by many older Japanese people (old enough to remember…
Toshiko SakuraiSeptember 9, 2024
Just a short walk from the Gojo Bridge, site of the warrior-monk Benkei’s fateful 1,000th duel, there is a typically…
Richard Koyama-DanielsAugust 16, 2024
The curvaceous and holey Henry Moores that dotted the landscape of my pre-Banksy UK youth, were to me, the face…
Richard Koyama-DanielsJuly 16, 2024
Butoh is an avant-garde dance that emerged in Post-war Japan that has captivated audiences worldwide. Here is all you need…
Toshiko SakuraiMay 28, 2024
Horimono (彫物) is a little-known term to the rest of the tattoo world but is one of the most used…
Gaël FaulconnierFebruary 3, 2024
Fukue Island is the largest on Nagasaki's Goto Archipelago. Discover with us its beautiful landscapes and fascinating history!
Toshiko SakuraiJanuary 31, 2023
It’s no secret that I love Oita. Of course, I might be a little biased, but as a resident here…
Mika CunninghamMarch 9, 2022
In the quest for a place’s identity, Setouchi asked itself what it wanted to be and found its answer to…
Toshiko SakuraiJanuary 5, 2022
From the picturesque canals of Kinosaki Onsen to Amanohashidate's pine-covered sandbar, the Kitakinki (北近畿) region has everything necessary to make…
Mika CunninghamJanuary 5, 2022
Over the immutably calm waters of the Seto Inland Sea, we approached the port of Ogijima on the Meon Ferry,…
Todd FongDecember 23, 2021
Aomori (青森) is well known for its gorgeous natural scenery. Being located at the northernmost tip of Japan’s main island…
Thomas SiebertDecember 21, 2021
Having the world’s spotlight during the Olympics was the perfect opportunity for the Japan Cultural Expo to showcase the richness…
Toshiko SakuraiSeptember 27, 2021
The legendary island of Enoshima (江ノ島) is just a stone’s throw away (or one hour by train) from Tokyo, and…
Cherise FongAugust 31, 2021
Ako City (赤穂市) is a small coastal town in Hyogo Prefecture along the beautiful Seto Inland Sea. Its location between…
Thomas SiebertMarch 20, 2021
The city of Kanazawa (金沢市), bordering the Sea of Japan, is a place where old and new harmoniously co-exist. During…
Mark WebsterMarch 13, 2021
What does Hello Kitty have to do with the US-Japan bilateral Treaty of Cooperation and Security and the May 68…
Toshiko SakuraiJanuary 23, 2021
There’s something surreal about driving through the countryside of southern Niigata Prefecture and suddenly seeing a giant window — complete with…
Patrick St. MichelDecember 3, 2020
The exquisite traditional Japanese kimono is a beautiful article of clothing. However, one often forgets its other half: the long…
Todd FongNovember 30, 2020
I’m sure you are missing Japan. You would like to be closer to this wonderful culture and experience its essence.…
Maria PeñascalNovember 19, 2020
The fabled Momotaro Peach Boy may have killed a few ogres, but Okayama (岡山) is steeped in many timeless ingredients…
Cherise FongNovember 12, 2020
As I approached the tiny port of Inujima (犬島) from the mainland, the first thing I saw was the two…
Cherise FongNovember 12, 2020
If we had been told a few decades ago that one day there’d be a place that would allow us…
Lucia TsujiguchiNovember 2, 2020
In many cultures, the deceased have great relevance. And Japan is no exception: death is almost as important as life.…
Maria PeñascalOctober 13, 2020
Collecting anime figures, also known as statues or figurines, can come across as a daunting hobby. For quite some time,…
Joseph WentzSeptember 22, 2020
One of my favourite prefectures to explore for weekends away from Tokyo’s city lights is Shizuoka (静岡県). A quick Shinkansen…
Lia YewSeptember 9, 2020
Kimono patterns are not only decorative but also have special cultural meaning. The wearer will often choose based on the…
AmyAugust 26, 2020
