The Many Meanings of 'Mottainai'
Something you might hear everyday in Japan is the word 'mottainai.' And without mincing words, we present to you three ways to use this useful expression!
'Yurukyara' 101
Japan's cute mascots, often based on regional animals or foods, are known as 'yurukyara.' You've probably seen these fun and cuddly characters, but where did the idea come from?
Gorgeous Fish Tank with Living Ferns Inside
Designer Haruka Misawa places an air bubble in a fish tank to stunning effect. It even helps feed the fish!
Godzilla Resurges
Toho Cinemas has released a new trailer for Godzilla Resurgence, the studio's first new Godzilla movie in over a decade. And this time we get to see a lot more of the iconic kaiju!
The Custom of Communal Cleaning
While the spirit of cleaning is taught in Japanese schools, the principle very likely originated in Zen Buddhism, and continues on into adulthood.
4 Sakura Vocaloid Songs for Spring
Many Japanese artists have at least one song dedicated to cherry blossoms, and the Vocaloid genre is no exception.
Amazing Aerial Video of Western Japan
Discover Western Japan as you have never seen it before from a breathtaking birds-eye view!
Superfly Rocks Osaka Castle
Watch an amazing vocal performance of 'Beautiful' by Japanese rock act Superfly—with full 360-degree views at Osaka Castle's Nishinomaru Garden!
10 Ways to Experience 'Danso' Culture
'Danso'—women dressing and performing as men—has been an element of Tokyo girls’ underground culture for years. We've outlined 10 ways to get a taste of 'danso' culture, both in Japan and from abroad!
Japanese Castles — A Backpacker’s Guide
Check out an interview with Julien Mentzer as he discusses how his book, 'Japanese Castles – A Backpacker’s Guide,' can help you discover all the castle treasures of Japan.
Don't Throw Shade on Your Shading Skills!
Have you struggled with getting just the right hue of blue? These pens can help you out!
Kyary Pamyu Pamyu to Open J-Pop Summit 2016
J-Pop Summit 2016, one of the world’s biggest Japanese pop culture events, will present a live concert performance by Kyary Pamyu Pamyu in San Francisco.
ZAQ to Make US Debut at AnimeNEXT
Songrwriter/performer ZAQ will make her American performance debut at New Jersey’s AnimeNEXT in June 2016.
Get Inside Hayao Miyazaki's Head
English filmmaker Lewis Bond created a video documentary in which he perfectly captures the genius of Hayao Miyazaki.
'Brand New MAID' Delivers a Knockout Punch
Band-Maid's latest album crushes any protests that the girls' cute persona disqualifies them from the 'real rock' club.
Yousei Teikoku Releases 'Disorder'
Japanese gothic metal band Yousei Teikoku has released its new music video, 'Disorder,' the opening theme for the anime series 'Big Order.'
The Ins & Outs of 'Omotenashi'
'Omotenashi' is often defined as the spirit of hospitality, but it encompasses so much more.
Tokyo's 400-Year-Old Sake Brewery
Check out this gorgeous 4K video and take a look at what it means to have four centuries of passion for sake!
Stray Cat Samurai Comes to Life, Edits Mag
Hiroyuki Takei's manga 'Nekogahara: Stray Cat Samurai' follows a one-eyed cat samurai as he 'cuts through insolence.' The real-life version apparently cuts through split infinitives.
That's Not a Photo!
These amazing pencil-drawn portraits of celebrities are so good, you'll swear they were professionally photographed pictures! And we've got video evidence of how it's done!
