Articles
Explore hidden gaps in Japanese culture
Filter by category
Search specific topic
A Year in Osaka's Underground Music Scene
A year of discovering Osaka’s indie artists and live houses.
Bōsōzoku Fashion - Inside the Iconic Style of Japan’s Biker Gangs
From military roots to punk flair, the story of Bosozoku fashion.
Before Bōsōzoku - The Kaminari-zoku Thunder Tribe
How post-war trauma birthed Kaminari-zoku, the roots of Bosozoku culture.
The Unmatched Motivation of Shuzo Matsuoka
Who is Shuzo Matsuoka, and how did he become a cult legend by motivating people around the world?
What is Decora Fashion - A Kaleidoscope of Kawaii Culture
What is Decora? Japan’s boldest street fashion explained.
The Philosophy of Vagabond
Inoue’s masterpiece transforms strength into compassion, revealing life’s quiet truths.
Japan in Pixels - The Wholesome Digital World of Fatbeard
Fatbeard’s pixel art captures Japan’s timeless beauty in modern form.
Why Tokyo Godfathers is the Ultimate Christmas Movie
Tokyo Godfathers redefines Christmas with heart, hope, and humanity.
Contemplative Cuties - The Creatures of Maiko Kobayashi
These quirky little creatures say more than words ever could.
NOWHERE - The Tiny Tokyo Shop That Revolutionized Streetwear
The shop that turned Ura-Harajuku into streetwear’s beating heart.
CLAMP - The Legendary All-Female Manga Collective
From doujinshi roots to global icons, the revolutionary impact of CLAMP on the world of manga.
Decora Takes Over Roblox’ Dress to Impress
Decora finds its way into Dress to Impress - Harajuku’s boldest style goes virtual.
Anri - The Voice of City Pop’s Eternal Summer
How Anri’s iconic voice defined the golden era of city pop.
Before Fragment Design - The Origins of Hiroshi Fujiwara
Tracing Hiroshi Fujiwara’s path before the birth of Fragment Design.
How Akihabara Became the Otaku Walhalla
From samurai beginnings to otaku wonderland.
Kiyoshi Awazu - Pioneering Graphic Design in Post-War Japan
How Kiyoshi Awazu blended surrealism and Japanese culture, reshaping visual art.
The Japanese Magazines That Defined 90s Streetwear Culture
The creative chaos of 90s Harajuku immortalized by iconic fashion magazines.
Decora Kei - Harajuku’s Patchwork of Colors
Decora Kei, the export of Tokyo’s most colorful district: Harajuku.
Graffiti in Japan - Creativity, Cultural Tensions, and Legal Controls
Japan’s hidden graffiti world, balancing creativity and legality.
16 Retro Mecha Anime That Defined an Era
From Gundam to Evangelion, the must-watch classics of mecha anime.
Fashion
How NIGO pioneered streetwear while bridging Japanese culture with global fashion trends.
Discover Tokyo's fashion scene as we dive into the highlights of Rakuten Tokyo Fashion Week.
Yuka Kimura blends her Japanese and Chinese heritage into innovative fashion storytelling.
Art & Design
Delve into the world of Sho Shibuya, as he discusses his profound connection with time and nature through his daily paintings.
An interview with photographer Hara Kazuaki about documenting the daily lives of her kids in Nagano.
Music & Film
Manga & Anime
From doujinshi roots to global icons, the revolutionary impact of CLAMP on the world of manga.
Discover the old nursery rhyme that marked the confrontation between Muzan and Ubuyashiki.
As you dive a little deeper in Akira’s narrative, you may discover an intriguing resemblance to Japanese history.
Beneath the surface Kazuo Umezu’s chilling tales lies a hidden facet of his creative identity - his portrayal of the animal kingdom.
There’s no anime that portrays the history Hiroshima as intense as the 1983 anime movie Barefoot Gen.
How does a genre that revolves around gay relationships hinder Japan's sexually progressive mindset?
From military roots to punk flair, the story of Bosozoku fashion.