All About Japan

Satomi Ishihara in Subculture Mecca

Taking a break from her turns in 'Godzilla Resurgence' and 'Attack on Titan,' Satomi Ishihara heads to Nakano Broadway to check out Tokyo's No. 1 hotbed for collectibles.

5 Notable Songs from Japanese TV Commercials

If you find yourself humming a song in the middle of a packed train, your TV may be to blame!

Watch 100 Years of Anime History in One Video

This year, anime turns 100! And to celebrate, the Association of Japanese Animations has spliced together some of the most significant and popular anime to date.

This Bad Breath Commercial Is Turning Heads

Survey says one in two foreigners have been bummed out by meeting Japanese people with bad breath. One advertisement hopes to clear the air while offering a little humor along the way.

5 Japanese LGBTQ+ Films That Explore Sexual Diversity

Learn more about the diverse representation of Japanese sexuality and the LGBTQ+ community in Japan through these films..

Get to Know the World Famous Dentsu

Dentsu has a huge influence on Japanese culture by deciding when, what, where and how things got promoted, as Dentsu owns stocks in different mass media conglomerates. But just how much do you know about this global powerhouse?

Namie Amuro & Masaharu Fukuyama Rock Asahi

Superstars Namie Amuro and Masaharu Fukuyama join forces to promote Asahi’s new beer, Asahi Super Dry Extra Hard.

Transforming Vacant Japanese Schools into B&Bs

A hotel with a difference—old schoolhouses in Japan are getting a new lease on life, by being transformed into hotels for visitors.

5 Binge-Worthy Japanese TV Series

Japanese movies, television and anime are great for immersing yourself in local culture while the global pandemic keeps us indoors. And now, some of the best modern Japanese TV shows are easy to access via streaming sites! Here are some of our favorites.

5 Touching Japanese Ads You'll Need Tissue For

If you need a dose of J-Drama without the time to watch an entire series, these commercials may just give your tear ducts the exercise they need. Make sure you have tissues at the ready!

Conan Arrives in "Conan Town" to Settle Beef

Despite one major mishap along the way, Conan O'Brien managed to make it to the town of Hokuei in Tottori Prefecture, where he met the mayor and served up some delicious hamburgers.

8 Ways Japanese Christmas is Weird

Christmas is celebrated in different ways all around the world, but even looking beyond KFC and its status as a couples' night, Japan has picked up some traditions that warrant a few extra raised eyebrows.

Love Songs from Japanese TV Shows & Movies

Popular TV shows and movies are remembered for many different reasons. Some have good stories and casts, some teach us life lessons. And perhaps more than we realize, theme songs play a large role in making viewers addicted.

Destination Denim: How Jeans Bring in Tourists

Among aficionados, Japanese denim is known for its high quality and meticulous craftsmanship. As international visitors to Japan increases, so too does global interest in Japanese denim production.

Japan’s Golden Age of TV: Trendy 90s Dramas

Watch four classic J-dramas and fall in love with Japan all over again!

11 Anime You Have to Watch Before You Die

Everyone has on opinion on the 'best' anime. But which are the anime that—regardless of quality—you simply have to watch before you die? These 11 are the ones you need to see!

10 Anime With Real-life Locations in Japan!

Discover the real-life locations of 10 popular Japanese anime, including 'Your Name,' 'Evangelion,' and more!

LGBT+ Icons in Japan

As the rights of the LGBT+ community are becoming a huge topic in both people's personal lives and the corporate sphere in Japan, a number of Japanese LGBT+ icons have been leading the conversation—some for a very long time!

Why Are Japanese Commercials so Different?

It's no secret that Japanese commercials tend to be pretty different from what you might see in Europe or North America. But why? One piece of the puzzle can be found in the distinction between 'concept' and 'sizzle'!

Ghibli Artist's Bread Ad Will Melt Your Heart

A former Studio Ghibli animator has created a heartwarming new anime commercial to promote a pastry shop in Fukuoka. Just try not to get the feels!

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