Cultural crafts, performing arts and regional flavors combine in a tribute to one of the most important periods in Japanese history.
calligraphy
Shuji demonstrations teach viewers how to write names of hit anime series, popular kanji.
Paired with a mini goshuincho, this is a small-size, small-price way to experience the inner calm of traditional Japanese arts.
Just water and a brush is all you need to practice Japanese calligraphy with these high-tech school supplies!
What better way to have a calligraphy master show off their skills than by writing “RocketNews24?”
Say hello to Shuetsu Sato, the man whose handcrafted packing-tape masterpieces guide millions every day.
Fans of Pixar are sure to be eagerly waiting the release of the studio’s newest movie, Inside Out (or Inside Head as it’s being called in Japan). The film may have caused a slight stir on the Japanese Internet for having a theme that’s noticeably similar to that of the Japanese manga and movie Poison Berry in My Brain (Nonai Poison Berry), but Pixar’s new offering is bound to draw huge crowds when it comes out on June 19 in the U.S. and July 18 in Japan.
And one thing the movie certainly seems to have going for it in Japan is cool poster artwork. Check out these Japanese posters for Inside Out which feature beautiful kanji calligraphy representing each of the emotions that appear in the movie!
‘Omotenashi’, the spirit of Japanese hospitality, became something of a buzzword at home and abroad when Christel Takigawa used the phrase in her speech to the International Olympic Committee in 2013.
And it’s in this spirit that Tokyo’s Narita airport plans to extend an especially warm welcome to international visitors this year, as it renews its Omotenashi Program of special offers and cultural events for transferring passengers.
As a man whose handwriting could be defined as infantile at best, I can’t help but admire those who can wield a fountain pen like a paintbrush. Thanks to the bizarre way in which I hold my pen (I’m right-handed but people often ask if I’m a lefty purely because my grip is so odd), writing with any pen whose ink is wetter than a cheap ballpoint’s results in my hand turning blue and an enormous horizontal smear of ink across the page as if the letters were warping through time.
After seeing this short video from Japanese pen makers Namiki, though, I’m genuinely tempted to sit down and practice writing my ABCs all over again if it means that I can correct my awkward grip and learn to write as beautifully as this…
MOST POPULAR
Today
Japan enters Golden Week vacation period, survey shows one in three plan to ride it out at home
Sega opening 65th anniversary store in downtotn Tokyo with deep-cut game merch
Japan’s new Pokémon jackets give you the look and powers of the Kanto starter trio
Viral tweet suggests Japanese convenience store ripping off customers with donuts, so we investigate
Studio Ghibli releases crystal glass paperweights featuring Totoro and the Catbus
The average age of Japan’s hikikomori shut-ins is getting older, survey shows
Studio Ghibli releases new anime keychains that are like miniature figurines
Lipton releases… Pudding Milk Tea in Japan?!?
Retro-style Evangelion T-shirts coming to Uniqlo sister brand GU[Photos]
Dorayaki from 89-year-old Japanese confectionery shop is one of the best sweets hidden in Tokyo
Weekly
- Japan enters Golden Week vacation period, survey shows one in three plan to ride it out at home
- Japan’s new Pokémon jackets give you the look and powers of the Kanto starter trio
Brand-new Square Enix Cafe to open in Tokyo…and in Los Angeles too!- Studio Ghibli releases new anime keychains that are like miniature figurines
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Hello Kitty is now a transforming truck robot[Photos]- Dorayaki from 89-year-old Japanese confectionery shop is one of the best sweets hidden in Tokyo
What are the worst things about living in the Japanese countryside?[Survey]
Tifa’s Final Fantasy VII bar is going to pop up in real-world Tokyo
Monthly
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa- Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo- Japan enters Golden Week vacation period, survey shows one in three plan to ride it out at home
- New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Brand-new Pokémon manhole covers coming to help the recovery of a disaster-stricken part of Japan
Japan’s awesomely beautiful Alpen Route snow corridor is now open
Injuries on stairs in Tokyo highlight an overlooked design flaw
Yearly
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says- Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
RECOMMENDED STORIES
The average age of Japan’s hikikomori shut-ins is getting older, survey shows
Studio Ghibli releases new anime keychains that are like miniature figurines
Lipton releases… Pudding Milk Tea in Japan?!?
Retro-style Evangelion T-shirts coming to Uniqlo sister brand GU[Photos]
Dorayaki from 89-year-old Japanese confectionery shop is one of the best sweets hidden in Tokyo
Japanese people share 11 amusing tales relating to pregnancy and childbirth
Tifa’s Final Fantasy VII bar is going to pop up in real-world Tokyo
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Bandai cancels gacha/blind-buy system for anime cosmetics, will let fans choose what they buy
Japan’s Mister Donut Japan tries its hand at Taiwanese-style street food donuts
Shinto shrine will bless your bike helmet and give you a sacred bike helmet stamp
Live-action Ghibli Princess Mononoke stage play tickets are now on sale
Only five branches of Japan’s beef bowl giant Matsuya serve milk shakes, but how do they taste?
War in Iran threatening Japan’s pudding production
-
