It's almost time for the traditional festival of the Hinamatsuri, also known as Doll's Day or Girls' Day. This is when ornamental dolls representing the emperor and empress from the Heian period are ...
Read More
From traditional instruments to the National Theatre mascot, you've never seen Piko Taro done quite like this. The curiously attired Piko Taro recently returned with a follow-up to his global ...
Read More
If you thought Piko Taro's "Pen-Pineapple-Apple-Pen" (PPAP) couldn't get any more "Japanese", think again. Adding to the countless numbers of adaptations and parodies already out there clogging up ...
Read More
Japanese fashion brand Trove has created a series of what it calls Wa-Robe items ("wa" meaning Japanese). The most exciting of these are three Star Wars Hanten, coming in designs featuring Master ...
Read More
This article by Adriana Mazza first appeared on Tokyo Cheapo. Photo by Adriana Mazza Boroichi Market: Intangible Folk Cultural Asset There’s something pretty magical about an intangible ...
Read More
Always wondered about wabi-sabi but too embarrassed to ask? No problem, The School of Life has you covered in this 9-minute video. As the makers say, "At the heart of Japanese philosophy ...
Read More
Searching for Hell is a new continent-crossing documentary covering humanity's universal curiosity about hell and the underworld. The film features five different teams telling stories and ...
Read More
All year Japan has been going Star Wars crazy, not least because a certain film sequel is about to be unleashed on the world box office. This has lead to a slew of products and tie-ups. Some of ...
Read More
Traditional Japanese musical instruments are not as well known as they should be. While most people know a shamisen from their appearances in geisha shows or taiko drum from their use in festivals, ...
Read More
Manami Okazaki has released a second edition of her book "Kokeshi, from Tohoku with Love", featuring interviews with 23 kokeshi artisans as well as 200 photos documenting how the unique wooden dolls ...
Read More
The Self-Assembly Shamisen is, as the name suggests, a shamisen instrument that you can build yourself -- and customize! The shamisen is surely the most famous Japanese traditional instrument. You ...
Read More
For such a ubiquitous apparel chain, UNIQLO demonstrates a healthy tendency to innovate. Every year its UT t-shirts change and it always works with a massive range of designers and famous franchises ...
Read More

The Star Wars villain like you've never seen him before!
Fancy a spot of Kabuki before you step onto a plane? Yes, if you want your taste of traditional Japanese at the airport, from this spring you can. Narita International Airport Terminal 1's ...
Read More
This article by Katie Reilly first appeared on Tokyo Cheapo. So you want to get dressed up, do the whole kimono thing while you’re in Tokyo? These timeless outfits are not exactly cheap, but ...
Read More
Engimono are good luck charms and talismans, and come in all shapes and sizes, from Daruma dolls to Maneki-neko, the beckoning cat. They are particularly associated with the Eto (Chinese zodiac) and ...
Read More