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2025.10

Scenic Treasures to See Before You Die: Hidden Gems Across Japan [Kansai edition]

This series highlights some of the most spectacular, yet perhaps lesser-known, scenic spots across Japan, ranging from the country's smallest park to underwater fossil sites and mesmerizing factory night scapes. While you may have heard of these places, this guide delves deeper into their unique beauty. If you haven’t visited these locations yet, why not consider making a trip?

Travel

和樂web編集部

2025.09

Why so small? Tiny but mighty – the miniature sized heroes of Japanese folktales

Folktales are fascinating. They feature strange heroes that couldn't possibly exist in the real world, leading us through unpredictable plots. Issun-boshi (一寸法師), Momotaro (桃太郎), Kaguya-hime (かぐや姫)... each is a unique character in their own right, but for some reason, it feels like many Japanese folktales have small protagonists. Despite their size, they accomplish more than any adult could—tiny but mighty.
So, why were they born so small? Let's explore the mystery of Japan's tiny heroes.

Culture

馬場紀衣

2025.09

How the masterpiece capturing an instant of beauty, “Red Fuji,” was born! An A to Z guide to the ukiyo-e artist Katsushika Hokusai: [A]

Katsushika Hokusai (葛飾北斎), the ukiyo-e artist, was born in Edo in 1760 and was active for roughly 70 years until his death in 1849. His life, marked by constant dedication to his art, was as turbulent as it was eccentric. He took it upon himself to master all kinds of artistic genres, and his many masterpieces shocked not only Japan but the entire world. Even in his old age, he never stopped striving for improvement. We introduce the life of this rebellious artist, Hokusai, through 26 words from A to Z.

Culture

和樂web編集部

2025.09

Hiroshige: Landscapes and legacy

Art

Malene Wagner

2025.09

You can only taste it here, in the home of ‘Ibo no Ito’! Visiting the local restaurants of Tatsuno City, Hyogo

Tatsuno (たつの) City, Hyogo (兵庫) Prefecture, is the home of Banshu (播州) -style hand-stretched somen (素麵), ‘Ibo no Ito (揖保乃糸)’. We visited some of the best local restaurants in this somen-producing region to try it for ourselves!

Culture

和樂web編集部

2025.09

A senior’s guide to life: Is it wise to temper your desires? Lessons from an Edo-Period Medical Text, Rojin Hitsuyo Yashinaigusa

Japan is a country with a long life expectancy, but that’s a modern phenomenon. During the Edo period, the average life expectancy was around 40 years, which is considerably shorter than today. However, historical figures like Tokugawa Ieyasu (徳川家康) lived to be around 73, Sugita Genpaku (杉田玄白) reached 85, and Katsushika Hokusai (葛飾北斎) lived to be 90. This makes you wonder how senior citizens in the Edo period managed their daily lives.

Culture

馬場紀衣

2025.09

Europe was astounded by Arita ware! Would you like to have tea with a cup from Fukagawa Seiji, exhibited at the Paris exposition 100 years ago?

Craft

菊池麻衣子

2025.09

The pivotal battle which decided the fate of Japan

Culture

和樂web編集部

2025.09

Scenic Treasures to See Before You Die: Hidden Gems Across Japan [Chubu edition]

Travel

和樂web編集部

2025.09

Scenic Treasures to See Before You Die: Hidden Gems Across Japan [Kanto edition]

Travel

和樂web編集部

2025.08

Aiding Tokugawa Ieyasu and entering the Ooku? Uncovering the true identity of the ‘Igamono’

The Ooku (大奥) of Edo Castle was known as a womens' quarters, strictly off-limits to anyone other than the Shogun (将軍). However, some male officials did work in specific areas near the entrances.

Among those tasked with security was a group known as the ‘Igamono (伊賀者),’ said to have rescued Tokugawa Ieyasu (徳川家康) from a perilous situation during the Sengoku (戦国) period. The Igamono were ninjas (忍者) originating from Iga (伊賀) Province (Iga no Kuni, modern-day western Mie Prefecture), familiar from popular media such as the manga series Ninja Hattori-kun (忍者ハットリくん).

Culture

大奥の岩内

2025.08

The unsung hero of Grand Sumo – edo style hair oil

In the Edo period, kyara oil (伽羅油) became a popular hair styling product. To elevate its status, this binzuke oil (鬢付け油, pomade) was named after kyara (伽羅), the highest grade of aloeswood, captivating the common people of Edo with its sweet scent. Today, a hair pomade for traditional Japanese hairstyles, ‘Omi Suki oil (オーミすき油),’ which is likened to the Edo kyara oil, has been inherited by the world of Grand Sumo. We explore the manufacturing of this sweetly fragrant product, indispensable for the wrestlers' iconic 'mage', top knot hairstyle.

Culture

森有貴子

2025.08

A must-visit! The incredible story of the Sumo Museum, founded by the ‘lord of Sumo’

2025 has already seen Hoshoryu (豊昇龍) promoted to yokozuna (横綱) in January, followed by Onosato (大の里) in May. With the rank of yokozuna now occupied on both the east and west rankings—the first time since the Autumn Tournament in Reiwa (令和) 3 (2021)—Grand Sumo Wrestling is seeing a resurgence in popularity. The rise of young wrestlers is attracting a slightly younger demographic of fans, and as a fusion of traditional culture and sport, it is a quintessential Japanese martial art, drawing an increasing number of international visitors in recent years. While many know Ryogoku Kokugikan (両国国技館) as the spiritual home of sumo, are you aware that it houses a remarkably niche facility: the Sumo Museum? We delve into the unique identity of this museum, which has been showcasing Grand Sumo Wrestling for over 70 years.

Culture

森有貴子

2025.08

Wagashi Wonders: Where Delicate Craft Meets the Changing Seasons [Kyoto handcrafts column]

Capturing the changing seasons, and the patterns and stories beloved by the people of Kyoto, through taste, colour, and form – this is wagashi (和菓子, traditional Japanese confections), a small yet exquisite crystallization of aesthetic sensibility that fits in the palm of your hand. When it comes to ‘Kyoto handcrafts,’ wagashi is an absolute must. The seasonal charm of spring wagashi, in particular, is exceptionally vibrant! Among Kyoto's confectioners, who vie to create elegant sweets, we've gathered some beautiful spring wagashi from renowned shops specialising in higashi (干菓子, dry confectionery) and omogashi (主菓子, main confectionery).

Culture

和樂web編集部

2025.08

Aboard the Iconic Asuka II: The Cruise Ship Everyone Dreams Of

There are various styles of travel, but a cruise ship tour is widely regarded as the pinnacle of luxury journeys.

When one thinks of a cruise, the image of leisurely travelling the world comes to mind. However, there are actually a variety of plans, from short 2-night, 3-day trips connecting Japanese ports to round-the-world voyages. Among such cruise ships, ‘Asuka II’ by NYK Cruises Co., Ltd. has gained immense popularity in Japan.

Travel

山本毅

2025.08

Scenic Treasures to See Before You Die: Hidden Gems Across Japan [Hokkaido & Tohoku edition]

This article highlights some of the most spectacular, yet perhaps lesser-known, scenic spots across Japan, ranging from the country's smallest park to underwater parks and mesmerizing factory nightscapes. While you may have heard of these places, this guide delves deeper into their unique beauty. If you haven’t visited these locations yet, why not consider making a trip?

Travel

和樂web編集部

2025.08

The behind-the-scenes story of ‘BONJI,’ double award winner at the Monaco International Film Festival

When I was a child, watching TV or reading picture books, there were always terrifying folk tales that made my body tremble. Yet, there was also an irresistible urge to peek through my fingers, a fascination with the frightening. The short film 'BONJI,' directed by photographer Ukibe Naoko (浮辺奈生子), perfectly evoked that very sensation from my childhood.

Culture

黒田直美

2025.08

The yamamba who ate mum and brother… Japan’s Red Riding Hood, ‘Tendo-san’s golden chain,’ is too frightening

Everyone knows the Grimm's fairy tale ‘Little Red Riding Hood.’ A girl visiting her grandmother is eaten by a wolf disguised as her grandmother, but she's rescued by a passing huntsman, and the wolf is ultimately punished. It's a familiar story. In fact, Japan has a very similar tale, titled ‘Tendo-san's Golden Chain.’ However, instead of a wolf, it features a Yamamba (山姥, a mountain hag) with hairy hands entwined with plants. What's more, she's incredibly gluttonous, and she eats more than just one person. There's no kind huntsman who appears, and the dead aren't brought back to life. And the ending...

Culture

馬場紀衣

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