Local Japan Guide

  Japanese food culture experienced its greatest development during the  Edo period . For example, staple dishes of modern Japanese cuisine such as  soba noodles, tempura, nigiri sushi,  and  grilled eel kabayaki  all originated as the four famous delicacies of Edo. After the Sengoku period ended and the Edo period began, Japan entered a  265-year-long era   of peace. This brought an influx of people from various regions to Edo. Additionally, time that had previously been spent on “ fighting ” and “ survival ” during the war-torn era was now devoted to “ aesthetic refinement ” and “ culture ” in this peaceful era.  Samurai began preparing meals for the emperor and shogun , and  street vendors in Edo sold tempura and sushi. As a result, meticulous and carefully crafted dishes were developed. This also led to the gathering of diverse regional food cultures in Edo, and with the city’s growth, a new “ Edo cuisine” was born , enriched by the ...

  What do you think foreigners look forward to the most when they visit Japan? It’s   Japanese cuisine(Washoku 和食) . According to a survey by the Japan Tourism Agency, foreign visitors look forward to   Japanese food   even more than Japan’s natural landscapes, historical architecture, or hot springs before their trip. So, what comes to mind when you think of Japanese food?  Sushi, rice, miso soup, ramen , soba, grilled fish, sashimi, karaage, kaiseki cuisine , unagi   — there are so many options that it’s hard to choose just one. Thanks to the  sushi boom that started in the United States in the 1970s , “ sushi ” has become a globally recognized word. Today, various Japanese dishes, such as  tempura, ramen, and yakitori , are also widely popular worldwide. The history of Japanese cuisine is long and rich. It has evolved into a unique food culture unlike any other country,  combining raw food and dashi culture  with influences from China...

T he history of Japanese anime dates back to 1896 , when animation film techniques were first introduced from abroad. From there, the animation style known as “ cel animation ,” famously utilized by  Studio Ghibli , began to take shape gradually from the 1930s . This style, which involves drawing original artwork on thin, transparent sheets of celluloid, became renowned for its smooth and beautiful visuals, earning high praise internationally. In 1963 , Japan aired its first 30-minute episodic TV anime,  Astro Boy  ( Tetsuwan Atom ), which also aired in the United States the same year, achieving high ratings and introducing Japanese anime to overseas audiences. By the 1990s , as cable television became widespread internationally and programming slots increased, Japanese anime such as  Dragon Ball,   Sailor Moon ,  and  Captain Tsubasa  began airing abroad, leading to a massive boom in popularity. T his momentum has continued, with globally accla...

T he oldest known manga in Japan is believed to be  Chōjū-jinbutsu-giga (鳥獣人物戯画) ,  created approximately 900 years ago  during the late Heian period . This work is internationally acclaimed as  one of the origins of manga and anime . During the Edo period , advancements in printing technology made manga more accessible to the public. Renowned artist Katsushika Hokusai contributed to the popularization of the term “ MANGA ” through his work  Hokusai Manga(北斎漫画) . Some manga featured satirical content, which led to temporary restrictions during World War II, marking a challenging era for the medium. However, the post-war period saw a resurgence in manga’s popularity with the publication of works like   Sazae-san   (サザエさん)and  Astro Boy   (鉄腕アトム), reflecting Japan’s recovery and revitalization. Post-war manga introduced groundbreaking techniques, such as cinematic close-ups, diverse perspectives, long-form storytelling, and deep psychological ...

I t’s not uncommon to encounter people on platforms like YouTube and other social media who, surprisingly, have a deeper love for Japanese culture than many Japanese themselves. Among the aspects they are most passionate about are Japan’s entertainment offerings, such as manga , anime , and movies. The term “ otaku ” has even gained recognition overseas, and many people proudly refer to themselves as otaku. Interestingly, the word “otaku” originally had a  negative connotation  in Japan during the 2000s, used to describe middle-aged men who were enthusiasts of  computers, idols, or two-dimensional anime . However, with the widespread use of computers and smartphones, the term has taken on a positive meaning, referring to “ people who are deeply passionate about something ” or “ those who are highly knowledgeable in a particular field .” One reason for this reevaluation of otaku culture is the phenomenon of Japan’s  manga, anime, movies, games, and cosplay  gai...