Blog
[Hidden Wonders of Japan] Daruma for 2020? Why Not a Cute Mouse from Hiratsuka?
Except for the uninitiated, most everyone in Japan will know that daruma is normally a papier maché good luck [&hellip
Special Reports
Emperor Naruhito’s Enthronement Ceremony: What to Expect
(UPDATED after the ceremony) The enthronement ceremony for Emperor Naruhito, called Sokuirei-Seiden-no-Gi, took place
Special Reports
Untangling the Myth Behind the Whaling Controversy: A Director’s Take
I still remember the taste of hard-to-swallow fried whale meat served in Japanese school lunches. I have no nostalgia
Culture
Firework Inspired Wagashi Bring the Beauty of Summer Festivals to Traditional Japanese Sweets
Source: wagashi_sanchan The seasonal changes are often celebrated in Japanese art, and the art of confectionery is no di
Culture
Yosakoi and Awa Odori: Experiencing Shikoku’s Iconic Dance Festivals
Despite the sweltering heat, there are pleasant surprises to be found in Japan during the summer season. Ice pops [&he
[Hidden Wonders of Japan] Summer Has Come, and So Has Japan’s Ubiquitous Mosquito Incense
Nothing says summer more than the coming of one of the most hated insects of all time: the mosquito. […]
Travel
Niigata’s ‘Giant Kite Battle’: A Story of Retaliation Turns Into A Festival Tradition
Three hundred kilometers west of Tokyo, in the heart of Japan’s Niigata Prefecture, lies Shirone. It is a modest [&hel
Travel
[Hidden Wonders of Japan] Preserving Maruyama’s Thousand Rice Paddies
The sound of pheasants chirping and frogs croaking filled the air. The rice paddies reflected the blue […]
Culture
Kyoto Craftsmen Take Pride in the Art of Restoring Cultural Property
CAPTION: Kunito Horii is surrounded by karihari (temporary pasting) mounds used to dry Hanging Scrolls, which are being
Culture
If You’re Into East Meets West, Catch ‘A Seed: Ichi-Ryu Manbai’ at Kanze Noh Theater
With deeply established traditions in dance, theater and music, Japanese entertainment offers almost too much to k
Special Reports
[HEISEI IN PICTURES] From Showa to Heisei
Leading up to the abdication of Emperor Akihito on April 30, JAPAN Forward looks back on the pivotal aspects […
Culture
Kimono Fashion Can Be Cool — Trust Designer Jotaro Saito
Jotaro Saito doesn’t go unnoticed when walking down a street. The day I met him at Kanda Myojin, […]