The Montreal-based TEKE::TEKE started off as a tribute band to Japanese guitar legend Takeshi Terauchi, who rode the wave of the Eleki boom, a musical style encompassing surf and beat instrumentals. But the septet, headed by performance artist and vocalist Maya Kuroki, had ambitions of their own. And this month they’re releasing a debut album of original songs titled Shirushi, a Japanese word meaning sign or symbol.
Continue reading
Family Mart, one of Japan’s three major convenience store (conbini) chains, has released a new line of essentials called Convenience Wear. From t-shirts and underwear to towels and totes, the collection spans 68 different items, each priced between 390 yen to 990 yen (about $3 – $9 usd). Our favorite is definitely the striped socks: an homage to the Family Mart logo. Watch out UNIQLO!
Continue reading
from left to right: Toguro Tower, Higashiyama University of Art and Expo Memorial Farm
Yota Tsukino is a Japanese pencil artist who creates dense, imaginary cityscapes in a retrofuturistic style that often incorporates elements of steampunk. Filled with small details and minutia, the black and white drawings lure in viewers who can spend hours obsessing over new discoveries.
The artist has created a triptych that represents three different eras: Showa, Heisei and Reiwa, which will become the centerpiece of an upcoming exhibition.
Continue reading
all photos by Sadao Hotta
Shima Kitchen was originally built in 2010 as part of the Setouchi International Art Festival. It was designed by architect Ryo Abe, who has continued to visit the island for the past 10 years, making small improvements, structural enhancements and replacing roof material. New photographs capture it in its current state, which serves as a community eatery and event space where locals and visitors can come together under a single roof to enjoy good food and art.
Continue reading
photos by Ben Richards & Masaaki Inoue
Shibuya has been undergoing a massive face-lift in recent years, transforming private and public spaces into hip hangouts. Walk north along the newly completed Miyashita Park and you’ll soon arrive at the neighborhood’s newest redevelopment: Kitaya Park.
Continue reading
all photos by Satoshi Asakawa
From across Sarusawa Pond are views of Kofukuji Temple’s five-storied pagoda. Wander uphill a bit and the Kasuga Taisha Shrine comes into view. Nara’s famed wild deer lazily munch on grass as if knowing that they’re held securely in the palm of Todaiji Temple’s Great Buddha. It is this neighborhood where Nakagawa Masamichi Shoten laid down roots over 300 years ago and is the location of their latest initiative: the Shika Saru Kitsune Building.
Continue reading
Born from a curiosity about flags and what they represent, Japanese industrial designer Akira Yoshimura has embarked on a project to reinterpret the flags of countries from around the world and render them in three-dimensional solid bronze.
Continue reading
the original poster art for My Neighbor Totoro, created for the 1988 theatrical release and still used to this day
My Neighbor Totoro was created by Hayao Miyazaki and released as a film in 1988. It’s one of our favorite movies that we’ve watched over and over, each time making new discoveries. However, one of those discoveries was not even in the film: it was staring right at us all this and we never even noticed it. In the poster from the original theatrical release, which continues to be used on DVDs and even on streaming sites, a small girl holds an umbrella in the rain next to Totoro. This girl is neither Satsuki nor Mei, the two protagonists of the film. In fact, she does not even make an appearance in the film.
Continue reading
For the past 10 years — beginning in 2011 — artist Tanaka Tatsuya has been creating daily miniature landscapes in the form of a calendar. That’s 3650 creative, dramatic and often humorous scenes crafted from everyday objects like fruit, vegetables and stationary, which are paired with figurines. To celebrate 10 years of work, the artist is staging an exhibition at The Mizuno Museum in Nagano prefecture.
Continue reading
Pocari Sweat, one of Japan’s most-popular sports beverages, has just released a new ad that features a girl running through undulating hallways, confetti and flower petals to reach her friend. The vertigo-inducing sixty-second ad was created almost entirely in a single-take and relying largely on hand-made sets and props.
Continue reading
OrySnack: The Bar Where Bartenders Work From Home
Winners of Japan’s 2027 Packaging Design Awards
Tokyo is Gearing Up for an Art-Filled Fall. And the Entire City is Here for It
Japanese Aquarium Drops 2026 Version of Flowchart Illustrating Their Penguin Relationships. This Year There’s an English Version.
The Ultra-Narrow Rakuragu Hotel Offers a Stylish Stay in Central Tokyo
