With so many pop and idol groups in Japan, classical music is often neglected when it comes to kids’ preferences in music. But, perhaps surprisingly, infants and toddlers have been found to respond just as positively to works such as Vivaldi’s “The Four Seasons” and Mozart’s piano sonatas. Concerts for ...
Using the toilet is an everyday part of our lives, yet it’s something we rarely talk about in public. But ...
It’s hard to imagine, but millions of years ago elephants roamed Japan. Although they died out long before civilization, Tokyo’s ...
Rakugo, a traditional form of comic storytelling in Japan, deals with anecdotes about human nature. Described as a “performance of imagination,” it is usually done on an empty stage with the artist kneeling on a large cushion and acting out the roles of all ...
Most people in Japan are familiar with Tokyo’s Akihabara district and its fame as the center of otaku culture. Few, however, may know about Otome Road in the Ikebukuro area, which caters to a clientele of predominantly female otaku. Just around the corner from Otome ...
Whether it’s the beautiful flowers, the music or the gentle moves that promise women a flat stomach, hula, the traditional dance of Hawaii, has found international appeal. Hula Lehua, a clothes brand bringing Hawaiian fashion to Japan, cashes in on the popularity of hula, ...
This festival celebrating 50 years of friendship between Japan and Jamaica culminates with a Bob Marley Songs Day competition on Sunday, where the winner will receive the grand prize of a trip to Jamaica. For most visitors, however, Bob Marley’s music is just one ...
Recently, letters of the alphabet have become popular decorations in interior design, whether as symbols of the homeowner’s inner thoughts or as simple motifs. They can add a modern and personal touch to a room, especially if hand-painted and self-designed — something that visitors ...
Now a recognized subsection of culture abroad, manga has attracted people from all around the world. What may be less well known, however, is another interesting part of Japanese culture — ball-jointed dolls and the artists who make them. Gallery parabolica-bis in Tokyo’s Yanagibashi, ...
Making electronic music can be incredibly intimidating for beginners: What’s the best hardware to buy? How do you use it? And all those cables! To give budding musicians a little guidance, this weekend’s Tokyo Festival of Modular at SuperDeluxe in Roppongi offers an opportunity ...
Last weekend’s heatwave was likely to have had some people concerned about climate change and other environmental issues, and just in time for World Environment Day, which took place on June 5. Launched in 1972 by the United Nations as a way of promoting ...
Though it might not seem like it right now, films and animation other than “Frozen” do exist, and the EU Film Days 2014 festival could be a good way to explore some alternatives. This weekend, 30 films reflecting different cultural preferences in film aesthetics ...
When you’re on the other side of the world finding a place to watch World Cup matches usually requires meticulous planning — from persuading friends with giant TV screens to let you join them, to preparing for an assault on your body clock. Flying ...
For those who gave up trying to be Jimi Hendrix long ago — this might encourage you to get that unused guitar back out of the closet. This weekend, nearly 100 guitar artisan shops are showcasing unique craft guitars at Tokyo Guitar Craft Fes. ...
Even if you don’t have time to leave the city, there’s nothing to stop you taking an island break this weekend. Tokyo Island Fair Shimajiman 2014 is presenting the lifestyle of Japan’s islands Oshima, Toshima, Niijima, Shikinejima, Kouzushima Miyakejima, Mikurajima, Hachijojima, Aogashima and Ogasawara ...
