Yasukuni Shrine
The tree that officially signals the start of sakura season in the capital has missed the predicted starting date, but we have some new dates to keep an eye out for.
Hanami season began today in the capital, giving us a better idea of when to expect the glorious full bloom period.
Korean and Chinese netizens demand apologies from the company for tweeting about the controversial shrine.
Hanami flower-viewing season begins nine days earlier than average as the city’s official “sample tree” sprouts its first blossoms.
We asked Japanese people to tell us the things foreigners say or think about Japan that really gets their goat—and they were happy to oblige! How many of these faux pas are you guilty of?
Bomb disposal unit finds remnants of suspected incendiary device at shrine for Japanese war dead in Chiyoda Ward.
Being an international pop star like Canada’s Justin Bieber is certain to have its share of pitfalls. Scandals such as unfortunate comments at the Anne Frank house and more recently charges of drunk driving and egging a house have continued to dog him.
So this Easter weekend, the award-winning performer made a trip to Japan to get away from it all. After all, what could possibly go wrong here?
Ah Shinto, you’re the stoner roommate of world religions. People pride you on your laid-back “everything is god” and “it’s okay to have other religions” policies. Often times they wish they could be just like you. However, when you forget to pay the internet bill for the fourth time that way of thinking gets old real quick.
In Shinto’s case, that ISP’s final warning came in the form of Yasukuni Shrine, a shrine which serves to hold the souls of those who died in the Japanese armed forces. When it came time to include some convicted war criminals among those souls, Shinto coughed and said, “Sure man, they probably did something good along the way.”
And so, Yasukuni Shrine has become a political lightning rod inspiring right-wing nationalists in Japan and spurning the nation’s neighbors. Thankfully, this Obon season, when Japanese people habitually visit shrines to honor those who have gone before us, bread-headed children’s superhero, Anpanman, flew into Yasukuni and lent some sanity to an otherwise volatile situation.
Yasuhisa Tokugawa is a descendant of the Tokugawa family consisting of the legendary Shoguns such Ieyasu Tokugawa. Yasuhisa, now 64, had a successful career in the oil business from which he retired.
Now he’s doing what you’d probably expect a retired business man to do: he became the head priest of the most controversial shrine in Japan.
MOST POPULAR
Now
Dark and edgy Jujustu Kaisen teams up with bright and cheery Sanrio for new merch line【Pics】
Starbucks Japan releases exclusive new holiday goods at Reserve Roastery Tokyo
Sip with Snorlax – Clever drinkware design creates Pokémon in your glass with every pour【Pics】
Does Starbucks Japan’s new holiday Frappuccino really taste like a cup of fallen snow?
Japanese Prime Minister once criticized deploying military to fight Godzilla
What’s the most popular way to prepare Japan’s beloved breakfast dish, Tamago Kake Gohan?
Overwhelmed by modern social media? Japanese company is bringing back pagers with an emoji-twist
Pokémon doughnuts appear at Mister Donut, with Diglett as the star!
Studio Ghibli releases free-download board game — Here’s how to play it without reading Japanese
We take a giraffe nap in a standing sleep pod at a cafe in Tokyo
Weekly
Nintendo’s controller capsule toys are so cool, even the machine you buy them from is awesome【Pics】
American gun owner opens our eyes to a different way of life in Tokyo
Japanese communities giving their skylines a spring clean and saying goodbye to power lines
New Akita Inu and Hachiko marshmallows are the best and squishiest souvenirs from Japan
Burger King Japan creates Kyoto Whopper, its most Japanese burger ever, with Kyoto rice merchant
Starbucks Japan unveils new Holiday goods for 2024- Sip with Snorlax – Clever drinkware design creates Pokémon in your glass with every pour【Pics】
Totoro stamp collection lets you add adorable Ghibli touches to cards and letters【Photos】- Overwhelmed by modern social media? Japanese company is bringing back pagers with an emoji-twist
Discovered: An even better way to open Japanese convenience store rice balls【Video】
Monthly
Studio Ghibli releases new insect whistle necklace from Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind- Nintendo’s controller capsule toys are so cool, even the machine you buy them from is awesome【Pics】
Totoro sequel anime Mei and the Baby Catbus will screen at Ghibli Park this winter
Tokyo Disneyland loses top-attendance crown for Japanese theme parks for second year in a row
Starbucks Japan unveils Halloween Frappuccino for 2024, and it’s like drinking a magic spell
Evangelion creator Hideaki Anno returning to anime with new project for 50-year-old franchise
Studio Ghibli releases new Howl’s Moving Castle goods that capture the magic from the anime movie
Adult Jam Bread causes a stir at store in Tokyo
What’s the deal with akebi, the perfectly purple, alien-like fruit that’s in season now in Japan?
Kyoto becomes City of Yokai, with Night Parade of One Hundred Demons festival this autumn
Yearly
McDonald’s new Happy Meals offer up cute and practical Sanrio lifestyle goods
Foreign tourists on Shinkansen bullet train break suitcase etiquette, angering local passengers
[Deleted] Article written for April Fool’s Day 2018
Japanese government to make first change to romanization spelling rules since the 1950s
Foreigner’s request for help in Tokyo makes us sad for the state of society
Ghibli founders Toshio Suzuki and Hayao Miyazaki contribute to Japanese whisky Totoro label design
Japanese convenience store Family Mart announces abolishment of eat-in spaces
Princesses, fruits, and blacksmiths: Study reveals the 30 most unusual family names in Japan
Doraemon found buried at sea as scene from 1993 anime becomes real life【Photos】
Life-size vibrating Legend of Zelda Master Sword for sale from Nintendo【Photos】
RECOMMENDED STORIES
What’s the most popular way to prepare Japan’s beloved breakfast dish, Tamago Kake Gohan?
Overwhelmed by modern social media? Japanese company is bringing back pagers with an emoji-twist
Pokémon doughnuts appear at Mister Donut, with Diglett as the star!
Studio Ghibli releases free-download board game — Here’s how to play it without reading Japanese
We take a giraffe nap in a standing sleep pod at a cafe in Tokyo
Pocky x Street Fighter II collaboration comes with a special game for a limited time
Japan’s most popular maid cafe, Akiba Zettai Ryoiki, opens new “Maid Cafe Winery” in Akihabara
A Must-See Visual of Japan’s 2011 Earthquakes
Studio Ghibli producer makes bombshell anime revelations during online Q&A
Nintendo’s controller capsule toys are so cool, even the machine you buy them from is awesome【Pics】
Tasteless candy on sale at Lawson convenience stores
Japanese interior micro-houses and study spaces: Great for work-at-home professionals, kids too
Japanese high schools abolish old rules, provide freedom with underwear, hair and dating
Starbucks Japan’s New Year’s lucky bag: One of the rarest fukubukuro of 2024
-
