Unmasking the World of Kabuki
Thanks to kabuki actor Ebizo Ichikawa XI, the public can now get a special look at what goes on behind the scenes.
Savor the Harvest Moon
'O-tsukimi' refers to the Japanese custom of viewing the harvest moon on August 15 of the old lunar calendar, which is the day the beauty of the moon is considered to be the greatest. For 2016, that date corresponds to September 15.
3 Wild 'Onsen' Theme Parks
Want a little more than just a soak in hot water? Try an 'onsen' theme park, where a whole world of water-related adventure awaits!
Bringing Japanese Performing Arts to Europe
Would traditional Japanese comic storytelling work in Edinburgh? Believe it or not, it does!
3 Animal Dances in Miyagi
Where could you see a dozen tigers dance on a rooftop? Head north to Miyagi!
8 Amazing Days on a JR Kyushu Rail Pass
Discover the beauty of four Kyushu prefectures by rail! Wander castle towns, stroll through samurai residences and visit historic shrines tied to the founding of Japan, all surrounded by delicious local cuisine!
The Story of a Sweet Old Dog
Hachi was an Akita dog famous for waiting for his master at Shibuya Station for nearly 10 years after he died. This is his story.
Obake in Japanese Popular Culture
Japanese ghosts and monsters have infiltrated everything from manga and anime to theater and movies—or maybe you'd just prefer to experience a good old haunted walk?
5 Fundamental Kabuki Plays
Kabuki is a traditional form of theater that has been around for over 400 years. Get to know this ancient art, which is a lot more understandable and accessible than you might think!
5 Tips for Enjoying Kagura
This thousand-year-old Shinto dance is both graceful and opulent. But watching outdoors can be cold!
Hanazono Remixes Traditional Japanese Music
Audiences may not know what to expect when Naomichi Hanazono appears on stage. Dressed in garb inspired by traditional Japanese garments, he could have stepped out of a kabuki play. Then Western pop music starts up, and Hanazono springs into action!
Italian Knows Enough Noh to Teach in Kyoto
Noh scholar Diego Pellecchia shows how it's done.
Botan Doro: The Seductress Spirit
If you have a lover who only appears at night, you may want someone to check in on you!
Japan's Animal-Based Personalities
Are you a cat or a dog? Japan has several ways to describe a person's personalities based on animalistic behaviors. You might even be a penguin!
Autumn is for the Arts in Japan
As the heat and humidity drop and the leaves start to change color in Japan, there’s almost poetry in the air. Autumn is the season of the arts!
Kagura: A Dance Fit for the Gods
Kagura is a ritual dance associated with autumn that, according to legend, was entertaining enough to coax the goddess of the sun to come back out of a cave and light the world again.
Experience the Fervor of High School Baseball!
The National High School Baseball Championship—better known as Koshien—isn't just a tournament for high school students. It's a nationally beloved summer tradition that can also open a direct door to the big leagues!
Spectacular Handheld Bamboo Fireworks Photos
This Aichi-area festival features geysers of light exploding from handheld bamboo cannons!
The 3 Dragon Gates of Tokyo
Historical Site Temples & Shrines
Who needs Dragon Balls? There are three Dragon Gates in Tokyo said to grant the wish you make while touching them!
The Oldest Extant Wooden Theater in Japan
Come with us on a journey to Akita Prefecture to see an incredible wooden theater, the oldest one in existence in Japan.
