What happens when a composer slows Beethoven to a crawl, writes on top, then erases him? The answer reaches the Royal Festival Hall on 4 November.
Ask in Kyoto, Osaka or Tokyo and each city names its own festival among Japan's greatest. Which three make the list, and..
In 2020 a tattooist from Suita won his case at Japan's Supreme Court. The long story of irezumi, from punishment marks t..
In 1948 a Tokyo baseball player asked for his pork cutlet on his curry rice. In Britain, the cutlet has since gone missi..
In 1927 Sofu Teshigahara broke away from his father's school to found Sogetsu. How the ikebana schools differ, and which..
Japan buys more than five litres of beer for every litre of sake. What people there actually drink, from shochu with hot..
Seiei Kamimura spent ten years learning to age awamori in oak, to win back Okinawans who had switched to whisky. How the..
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What's On
10 years covering Japanese culture across the UK, from landmark London exhibitions to small events that most listings miss. Curated, current, worth going out for.
Tell us about your Japanese event and we'll consider it for our What's On listings.
In Japanese, “Nakama” embodies the spirit of companionship, membership, and fellowship. For us, it’s the sense of belonging to a vibrant community united by a shared love for Japan.
Why would a composer write fingerings into a score, then demonstrate them to the shamisen master who taught him? Dai Fujikura explains Reizei.
Japanese artists and designers are among the most dedicated in the world, as seen by their outstanding achievements in modern architecture, art, design, and Shodō, to name a few. Our content explores some of Japan’s most cherished trades, including unique elements of the Japanese lifestyle and beliefs.
In 1927 Sofu Teshigahara broke away from his father's school to found Sogetsu. How the ikebana schools differ, and which of them teach in London....
Cotton was too precious to waste in Japan's far north, so worn cloth got rows of tiny white stitches. Here is how to start, and where London teaches i...
Edo bathers bundled their clothes in it; Japan's environment minister turned it into a campaign. One square of cloth, three wraps, and where London se...
He wrote 34 novels and was considered for the Nobel Prize five times. The best place to begin is a short love story set on a tiny fishing island....
A slogan on a 1989 album cover gave a scene its name, and a Roblox dress-up game handed it to a new generation. Meet the bands behind the make-up....
If you have dreamed of a trip to Japan or even if you have already been and are still dreaming of that trip, our Japan travel articles are for you. From places & cities to visit to the sights and sounds to experiences, to detailed experiences, we’ll share with you reasons to visit and keep visiting Japan.
The giant Gundam left Odaiba on 31 August 2026. A fountain that shoots 150 metres above Tokyo Bay arrived in March, and it plays the Gundam theme....
For 13 days in 2026, not one Nozomi bullet train between Tokyo and Hakata had an unreserved seat. Here is how Golden Week 2027 will run....
Two brothers fished a statue of Kannon out of the Sumida in 628. Around 30 million people a year now follow it through Senso-ji's thunder gate....
Kamata Hakensha engraves your name on a new knife in about three minutes, free. Here is how to shop Tokyo's kitchen street and get the blade home lega...
The Emperor's home opens its inner gates on two days a year. On most other days, a free 2.2 km walk past moats and keeps gets you surprisingly close....
Immerse yourself in the perfect blend of ancient traditions and modern marvels
Experience Kyoto’s ancient temples, tranquil gardens, and refined traditions year round in Japan.
Discover Osaka’s vibrant street food, neon nightlife, and iconic landmarks in one dynamic modern city.
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His headstone carries no name, just one character meaning nothingness. Here is the director buried beneath it, his 54 films and where to watch them....
His first film only reached cinemas because Yasujiro Ozu spoke up for it. Here is everything Kurosawa made after that, in order, and the ten to start ...
He walked past the camera as an extra in Seven Samurai and ended up carrying Ran. Eleven films for Kobayashi, five for Kurosawa, and the school he lef...
The blind masseur who became the longest running action hero in Japanese cinema. What his name means, why he fights backwards, and which film to start...
Across misty battlefields and quiet villages time bends as stories of honour violence and survival reshape how the past is remembered...
Mia Kobayashi braced for polite silence when A Chorus Line toured Japan. On some nights the house went wild instead, and she has not forgotten it.
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As culture links with Japan’s historical foundations, the Japanese way of life never ceases to amaze. Japanese thinking, beliefs, and dedicated traditions appeal to those seeking paths of self-improvement and clarity by developing their own meaning for "Ikigai."
Ask in Kyoto, Osaka or Tokyo and each city names its own festival among Japan's greatest. Which three make the list, and when to see them in 2027?...
In 2020 a tattooist from Suita won his case at Japan's Supreme Court. The long story of irezumi, from punishment marks to Kuniyoshi's tattooed heroes....
A weaver and a cowherd get one night a year across the Milky Way. Why Sendai waits until August to celebrate, and what the seven paper decorations ask...
At Senso-ji nobody shouts "demons out" on Setsubun, because no demon can stand before Kannon. Here is how the rest of Japan marks 3 February 2027....
A ¥1,000 charm from Yushima Tenmangu is meant to be carried, never opened, and handed back after a year to be burned. Here is how each kind works....
