Billionaire Yusuke Maezawa has purchased a Stradivarius violin. His promise to send it around the globe has netizens humming, but not in a good way.
violin
Paralympic swimmer and nurse Manami Ito has more talent up her sleeve – a prosthetic violinist’s bow. A perfect fit to play heart-rending melodies!
They’d never met before, but when they rocked out together they made some incredible music.
Musical and visual tributes to anime including Your Name, Sailor Moon, often require her to cosplay as two different characters in the same video.
Coming to the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Theater Concert Hall on 2 November is the Ultraman Symphony Concert 2015. At this event music from the high-culture tokusatsu masterpieces of Ultraman and related shows will be performed by a full orchestra.
It’s sure to be a luminous evening of sci-fi splendor, but to mark the occasion a single Ultra Violin, the only official Ultraman violin in existence, will be sold to one lucky buyer.
Even if you don’t recognize the name Taro Hakase, you’ve probably heard his world-renowned violin music before. Ever flown All Nippon Airlines (ANA)? Then you’ve heard him. Ever been put on hold? You’ve heard him. Every played Final Fantasy, watched anime, or heard of Celine Dion or Ariana Grande? Yep, you’ve heard him.
But this time around it’s not one of Taro’s masterpieces, but instead one made by his eight-year-old son Mantaro, that’s getting people excited online.
The Super Mario Bros. theme song has got to be among the most covered melodies online. From guitars to ancient Chinese shengs, it’s hard for anyone to not want to knock out those opening notes: d-do do d-do DO do.
So with all the videos of people playing the song online, it’s hard to stand out. Hard unless you’re Teppei Okada (a.k.a. Teppei Sensei) of Fukuoka Prefecture. This guy not only does a subtly beautiful rendition of the classic platformer’s background music, but he recreates the sound effects of the game such as collecting coins and breaking blocks.
And Mario is only the tip of the video game iceberg for Teppei Sensei. His skills reach out to a variety of titles on generations of Nintendo consoles and beyond.
If you love classical music, and you love Australia, then the name Ayako Ishikawa, is a name you are familiar with. However, if you aren’t familiar with “Devils Ayako”, you’re missing out on an artist that has been given the honorary title of “The Best Performer in Australia“. Already a phenom on the classical music stage, she has recently been making a name for herself on the Internet. Since she began posting her videos to Niconico back in 2013, her popularity has blossomed into a real fan following and she is just hitting her stride now with a string of well-known songs in Japan. Today she takes you “To Zanarkand”…
Meet Machi Okabe, the gorgeous violinist whose music is just as beautiful as her face (or is it the other way around?). Her exceptional musical talents combined with her breathtaking beauty have been attracting a lot of attention from netizens around the world this week.
Watch the following videos to see for yourself what’s everyone’s been talking about!
There’s no shortage of brilliant musicians on the Internet putting their unique spins on popular songs or performing in unusual locations. From shamisen duos playing on moving vehicles to symphonic video game music, it seems like there couldn’t possibly be anything new for us to discover.
Emphasis on the “seems like,” because you are not going to believe what this Japanese violinist manages to pull off!
MOST POPULAR
Now
Japan’s first all-matcha ramen restaurant is now open in Kyoto【Photos】
Take a trip to Japan’s Dododo Land, the most irritating place on Earth
Family Mart releases huge range of cute sweets for Cat Day in Japan
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting the lines at a popular Tokyo gyukatsu restaurant?
McDonald’s Japan partners with anime English teacher, but did they commit a cultural error?[Video]
See-through Japanese maid’s uniform gives you the power of X-Ray vision
Does this video about an abandoned dog leave you wiping your eyes or shaking your fist?
Studio Ghibli adds more magic to its Kiki’s Delivery Service collection
Act of Japanese kindness touches one man’s heart, provides hope for elevator etiquette
Dragon Quest Burgers and Slime drinks are coming to McDonald’s Japan【Video】
Weekly
- Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting the lines at a popular Tokyo gyukatsu restaurant?
Yokai are descending upon Tokyo this spring in the latest immersive art experience
Three beautiful places to see Japan’s plum blossoms after starting your day in downtown Tokyo
Cherry blossom forecasts map shows Japan’s OTHER sakura season is starting right now
New Studio Ghibli stamps leave an impression on your stationery…and your heart
Japanese women sound off on their minimum height requirements for a husband【Survey】
Huge Evangelion Unit-01 head appearing in lights in Japan to celebrate anime’s 30th anniversary
Kyoto planning surprise late-night inspections of Airbnb-style rentals to fight overtourism
Japanese movie theater chain’s popcorn earns highest Grand Prix quality certification
Japan’s most famous Mt. Fuji view park cancels cherry blossom festival because of overtourism
Monthly
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Japan releases first official sakura cherry blossom forecast for 2026
10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
Archfiend Hello Kitty appears as Sanrio launches new team-up with Yu-Gi-Oh【Pics】
Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning looks to be affecting tourist crowds on Miyajima
Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
Studio Ghibli releases new “komorebi” plush toys from Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away- Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting the lines at a popular Tokyo gyukatsu restaurant?
- Yokai are descending upon Tokyo this spring in the latest immersive art experience
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
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
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
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
RECOMMENDED STORIES
See-through Japanese maid’s uniform gives you the power of X-Ray vision
Does this video about an abandoned dog leave you wiping your eyes or shaking your fist?
Studio Ghibli adds more magic to its Kiki’s Delivery Service collection
Act of Japanese kindness touches one man’s heart, provides hope for elevator etiquette
Dragon Quest Burgers and Slime drinks are coming to McDonald’s Japan【Video】
Five reasons there’s no tipping at restaurants in Japan
Japanese women sound off on their minimum height requirements for a husband【Survey】
Japan Bucket List II: 8 places you need to visit to really understand Japan
Japan’s cooling body wipe sheets want to help you beat the heat, but which work and which don’t?
Japan’s got a subscription service for pillows with or without plastic tubes inside
Japan’s new canned chu-hai with fresh lemon slice: disappointing gimmick or drink revelation?
-
