No56 [CULTURE POP] Inescapable world
Yokai, monsters and other fantastic creatures still play a large part in Japanese popular culture. When Yo-kai Watch first appeared on the Japanese role-play […]
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No56 [EXPERIENCE] Shirotani’s ghost stories
Opened by Kondo Hiroko in 2012, this bar has inspired numerous similar venues across the country. The Tokyo district of Roppongi is famous for […]
No56 [FOCUS] Otsu, the authentic flavour of japan
Avoid the suffocating crowds of tourists in Kyoto, by visiting this lakeside city ten minutes away from the former capital. oh Kyoto! With its […]
No56 [PROMENADE] Haunted Tokyo
The Japanese capital is full of strange places where you’re sure to come across even stranger characters. If it’s true that supernatural beings are […]
No56 [GUIDE] Nine places to avoid… or not
If you’re not on the look out for nervewracking experiences, here’s some places we wouldn’t recommend you visit. In order to be more faithful to […]
No56 [ECONOMY] Industry is riding high
The confidence of japan’s large industrial groups reached a ten year high in september, according to the Bank of japan’s quarterly “tanken” survey, which is […]
No56 [SOCIETY] Working too hard harms your health
The number of cases of death from excess work (karoshi) have not come to an end. on october 6th, it was announced that a journalist […]
No56 [IN THE EYE OF ERIC RECHSTEINER] Akasaka mitsuke district, Tokyo
It’s quite evident that the Japanese like eating fish. But many of them also like to fish, and not just in the countryside. In Tokyo, […]
No56 [LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT] A warm welcome to Inase
Otsu offers visitors a range of accommodation. From luxury hotels on the shores of Lake Biwa to Enryaku-ji Temple, where you can stay in a […]
No56 [IDEA] The appeal of insects
Even though they’re gradually disappearing from Japanese dishes, grasshoppers and wasp larvae remain popular. Surrounded by the sea which supplies all that’s needed to […]
No56 [LANGUAGE] Let’s nihonGo! / How to talk about the food?
Hello there! This column will teach you useful Japanese phrases that cover a variety of topics. Roll up, roll up for an amazing lesson about […]
No56 [BOOKS] A vade mecum of japanese history
Jonathan Clements book is a tour de force, which summarizes all the key elements you need to understand Japan. Ask any class of Japanese […]
No56 [CHALLENGE] It’s raining yokai
After months of hard work, Matt Alt and Yoda Hiroko have succeeded in translating four of Sekien’s masterpieces. Everybody knows the Pocket Monsters, and […]
No56 [SERIES] The one who wants to forge links
At the age of 29, Sasaki Mai has discovered a sense of purpose thanks to her clothes shop, which helps her weave connections. The […]
No55 [HARUYO’S RECIPE] Sake no chirashizushi (Salmon chirashi)
RECIPE 1 Grill or fry the salmon. 2 Flake the cooked salmon. 3 Beat the eggs together and add the cornflour mixed with half a […]
No55 [FOOD] Discovering new kinds of rice
Choosing which variety of rice to eat is as important in Japan as choosing bread in France. There’s a lot to take into consideration. […]
No55 [LANGUAGE] Let’s nihonGo!
Hello there! This column will include useful Japanese phrases that cover a variety of topics. Are you ready to sink your teeth into Japanese […]
No55 [MEDIA] Humility has has its downside
The number of TV shows and publications extolling the Japanese and their culture is increasing. What lies behind this trend? However surprising it may […]
No55 [INITIATIVE] The importance of thinking big
One of the main challenges facing Japan in the years to come is the precarious situation for children. The Nippon Foundation (Nippon Zaidan) is […]
No55 [SOLIDARITY] Dandan: putting children first
Opened by Kondo Hiroko in 2012, this “children’s cafeteria” has been emulated countrywide. In the Ota district, not far from Haneda airport, Kondo Hiroko, […]
No55 [MOBILISATION] Improving the system
Founder and CEO of Second Harvest, Charles mcJilton is frustrated when encountering the reality of the situation. In two-speed Japanese society, where the privileged […]
No55 [CHALLENGE] The fighter against poverty
AMAMIYA Karin vigorously denounces the rise of poverty and the precariat in Japan. Tokyo’s western suburb of Koenji is famous for attracting many cultural […]
No55 [FOCUS] Woe are they…
The deep wounds inflicted by twentyfive years of economic crisis in Japan will be very difficult to heal. Exactly 40 years ago the Japanese […]
No55 [SERIES] He who succeeded in settling in
After coming to live in Ishinomaki in April 2011, Iwata Shota has helped in the city’s recovery in many ways. Since the earthquake in […]
No55 [DISCOVERY] Miyajima: foods of the Gods
Known for its floating shrine and its torii rising out of the water, the island is also a gourmet’s paradise. Everyone loves Miyajima. It’s […]
No54 [FOCUS] Bread is gaining ground
It has become one of Japan’s favourite foods since the end of the Second World War. T his morning, Mayumi will eat bread and jam […]
No54 [TECHNOLOGY] Rheon always at the top
This Japanese company has designed industrial bread-making machines, which have achieved outstanding results. fried kare-pan, a mountain of pink and green macaroons, shokupan, plaited brioches […]
No54 [TASTE] A strong need for education
As manager of Le Grenier à Pain “The Bread Attic” franchise, Kozaki Yoshimaru depends solely on authentic traditional French products. Why did you choose to […]
No54 [PRODUCTION] Never stop innovating
Shiga Katsuei, head chef of the Significant Signifié bakery, has created a unique kind of baguette. You’ve just reviewed your means of production. Why? What […]
No54 [SUCCESS] shokupan is crossing borders
Appreciation for Japanese white sliced bread is on the rise across the archipelago, and it’s now about to be exported. It’s almost 10am, in Ginza […]
No54 [ENCOUNTER] The politically engaged Keiichiro
The novelist is an acute observer of society. He never hesitates to express his views when he thinks it’s necessary. author and Akutagawa Prize winner […]
No54 Shimane, homeland of sumo
To find out more about the origins of this very popular sport, you need to travel to the west of the archipelago. It’s nearly 6.30pm […]
No54 [HARUYO’S RECIPE] Chikin katsu (fried chicken cutlets)
RECIPE 1 Remove the chicken skin and cut the flesh into 10 fillets. 2 Place the fillets between two sheets of cling film and flatten […]
No54 [HIYAOROSHI] The flavour of autumn in the sake world
as Japan’s sweltering and languid summer passes, autumn is the season when appetites come back with vengeance. It is the season for harvesting and the […]
Let’s nihonGo!
From this month onwards, this column will introduce useful Japanese phrases that cover a variety of topics, such as ordering and describing food, asking for […]
No53 [SERIES] The keeper of memories
Since December 2011, Masuda Hirofumi’s mission has been to photograph daily life. The small glass studio in a street in the heart of Ishinomaki […]
No.53 The holy land of otakism
Not everyone can achieve their dream of making a living in Japan out of their passion for manga and cosplay. Otaku culture has never been […]
No.53 [HISTORY] The story of Frederik the Great
One of the first to discover pop culture and popularize it, Frederik Schodt looks back on his illustrious career. Author and translator Frederik Schodt is […]
No53 Ogasawara: The treasure archipelago
Shibuya, Harajuku and even Shinjuku are all part of Tokyo, but so is this string of islands 1,000 km from the city. From the bridge […]
No53 [SUCCESS] Adam, or a passion for comics
In the space of few years, Adam Pasion has succeeded in making his mark in the world of dojinshi (fanzines). while many foreign comic artists […]
No53 [Book] Tokyo, the capital of pop culture
Our colleague Gianni Simone has released an original and thorough guide, which will delight lovers of manga, anime and games. Throughout all the years he […]
No53 [IDOLS] Timeless Yuriko and Rebecca
One cannot talk about pop culture without mentioning aidoru (pop idols) and cosplayers, like Yuriko and Rebecca. The history of Japanese pop idols is very […]
No53 [HARUYO’S RECIPE] GYUNIKU NO SHIGURENI (Beef with ginger)
RECIPE 1 In a saucepan, pour the sake over the beef. 2 heat until the sake evaporates. 3 add water and bring to a boil. […]
No53 [UmamI] The Fifth Taste
Discovering new flavours is always exciting, but umami will open your eyes to an undiscovered taste. often ambiguously defined, the term “umami” is seen occasionally, […]
History of Daifuku
Daifuku is one of japan’s most popular confectionary varieties, and is enjoyed by people of all ages, throughout the seasons. Its origins can be traced […]
No52 [SERIES] The will to live never fades away
Unenthusiastic about taking over his parents’ shop, young Oka Yasufumi nevertheless became a florist. Since the disastrous earthquake of 11 March 2011, the region of […]
No52 The family on the screen
Japanese filmmakers have been fascinated by family stories, and have used them to create masterpieces. Japanese cinema is mainly known abroad for such genres as […]
No52 [REPORT] Unsustainably fragile
The rising star of Japanese cinema, Fukada Koji, takes a hard look at the family unit in the archipelago. Fukada Koji’s Harmonium (original title: Fuchi […]
No52 [ANIME] What a masterpiece !
Despite the success of Your Name, Katabuchi Sunao’s film was released to well deserved critical acclaim. After six difficult years in which it often seemed […]
No52 [MUSIC] Watch out! Wolves are out!
We spoke to the leader of man with a mission in advance of their performance in London on June 22nd. According to the story, […]
No52[DISCOVERY] At the end of the Silk Road
At the heart of Wakasa Province, Obama embodies ancestral Japan by preserving its culture and traditions. Iregret not having the time to visit the city […]
No52 [SAKE] My Cup Runneth Over
The world of sake can seem daunting, but it can be enjoyed just as simply (and often!) as wine. So strong is the connection that […]
Summer with Kuzu Manju
Kuzu Manju are a well-known type of confectionary that are traditionally eaten during the summertime in Japan. They have been eaten since the Edo period […]
No52 [HARUYO’S RECIPE] WAFU PASTA (Spaghetti the Japanese way)
RECIPE 1 Fry the bacon in oil, in a frying pan. 2 Add the chopped shiitake and the maitake. 3 Add the cabbage, sliced into […]
No52 [ENCOUNTER] The importance of family ties
a master of science fiction addresses the question of the family in a brilliantly original way. Fans of SF anime know director Kamiyama Kenji very […]
No51 Between heaven and earth on Nokogiri
Situated on the outskirts of the capital, this old industrial site is full of beautiful surprises. “Next stop: Hamakanetani”. On hearing that announcement, the tourists […]
No51 [COMMITMENT] Someone ready to fight
NAKAMURA Fuminori takes an interest in the world around him. He doesn’t hesitate to share his views and put them to the test. Recognised for […]
No51 [SOCIETY] Someone who appreciates rules
Murata Sayaka is unusual, both as a writer and in her attitude towards her part-time day-job. One of last year’s literary sensations was Murata Sayaka, […]
No51 [THE FUTURE] The one who observes change
The novelist never misses an opportunity to question the way Japan is evolving. In her work, Kawakami Hiromi looks at what awaits humankind, for […]
No51 [ECOLOGY] Humankind as the main point
Quitting his job as a journalist has given a new impetus to his career as a novelist. Shiraishi Kazufumi casts a critical eye over […]
![No51 [MEMORY] A writer who cannot forget](https://www.zoomjapan.info/wp/wp-content/uploads/focus02.png)
No51 [MEMORY] A writer who cannot forget
The tragic events of 11 March 2011 rekindled the author’s links to the region of his birth. Furukawa Hideo talks about his roots, nuclear […]
No51 [CUSTOM] Lunch with a special touch
A tradition of creating lunch boxes that started in kabuki the at res now permeates daily Japanese life. In the U.K., many people associate […]
No51 [MUSIC] A fresh look at the J-music
In one of Tokyo’s trendy districts,we met up with someone who’s an expert on the Japanese rock scene. For English-speaking pop and rock music fans,it’s […]
No51 [SERIES] A book lest we forget
After five years of work, the town’s students have put the final touches to a document for future generations. Six years have past since the […]
No51 Five authors for one Japan
A good novel is sometimes better than reading fifteen essays to get the measure of Japanese society. Literature is a great way to immerse […]
No51 [HARUYO’S RECIPE] Shintamanegi no kakiage
How to prepare 1 – Slice the onion and mitsuba into 3 cms thick pieces. clean the shrimps, drain them and reserve. 2 – In a bowl, […]
A taste of hope
Kashiwa mochi is a kind of traditional Japanese sweet that slightly resembles a white clamshell. It is made from a sticky rice cake filled with […]
No51 [LANGUAGE] Omoshiroi yo NIHONGO!
Welcome once again to the fascinating world of the Japanese language. In this issue, let’s take a look at some notable phrases using the words […]
No50 [INNOVATION] Stars in his eyes
Based in the suburbs of Nagoya, Ogawa Shuji dreams of making space travel available to all. In Arimatsu, a district full of history in the […]
No50 The return of machikoba
For a long time they were held in low esteem, but now small local factories are gradually finding favour with the Japanese again. Despite the […]
No50 [EXHIBITION] Kusama Yayoi retrospective
The Tokyo National Art Centre is holding an exhibition dedicated to this exceptional artist until the 22nd of May. When asked to name internationally famous […]
No50 Setouchi, a whiff of the aegean sea
Situated to the south of Okayama Prefecture, this port city attracts visitors with the riches of its region. Such landscapes are rare in Japan, aren’t […]
No50 [CHALLENGE] The Japanese Cool Runnings
To save themselves from having to close down, several businesses have got together to build a bobsleigh. Tourist brochures often use the word shitamachi (literally […]
No50 [THE FUTURE] Make way for women!
Suwa Takako’s success in a very masculine milieu has set a benchmark for women throughout Japan. For Suwa Takako, the decision to take her father’s […]
No50 [EXPERIENCE] Pokemon rules
To revive their tourist industries, some local councils have enlisted the help of the game Pokemon GO – with mixed results. Last year, from the […]
No50 [TRADITION] Tango no sekku
In Japan, the 5th of May is a day of celebration for the health and growth of children, especially boys. There are quite a few […]
No50 [LANGUAGE] Omoshiroi yo NIHONGO!
Welcome once again, to the fascinating world of Japanese language. In this issue, let’s take a look at some key words you might see when […]
No50 [HARUYO’S RECIPE] BUTA BARADAIKAN
How to prepare 1 – Slice the radish into quarters of 1 to 2 centimeters in thickness. 2 – heat the sesame oil in a […]
No50 [DINING] Eat out or stay home? 2/2
In Zoom Japan vol.48 we covered how food delivery services, called demae in Japanese, have been an important part of Japanese food culture. In recent […]
No49 [DISCOVERY] Something for every taste
The Hiroshima region is noted for its wealth of gastronomic riches, with something to please everyone. As with most other regions in Japan, no food […]
No49 [MISSION] A man who wants to remember
Hayashida Mitsuhiro has decided to fight to keep alive the memory of the atomic bomb victims. For many years, the long-running campaign to ban nuclear […]
No49 [HIROSHIMA] A triumphant return
The Hiroshima region has made a successful comeback thanks to its many assets and a strong urge to promote the passion for life here. Japan […]
No49 [Well-being] The zazen experience
Nothing helps you recharge your batteries like a session of mindfulness meditation. Shinsho-ji is the ideal place to practise it. In recent years, more and […]
No49[PRESS] Courage on a daily basis
For 125 years the Chugoku Shimbun has served the population, with whom they’ve shared both the good times and the bad. If there’s one word […]
No49 [KOSANJI] A touch of madness
Filial piety can sometimes go way beyond the limit, as this unique architectural complex shows. Stuck for Mother’s Day gift ideas? Why not build her […]
No49 [LANGUAGE] Omoshiroi yo NIHONGO!
Welcome once again, to the fascinating world of the Japanese language. In this issue, let’s take a look at some phrases you can use when […]
No49 [ENCOUNTER] A quiet confidence
Elected governor of Hirsohima Prefecture in 2009, Yuzaki Hidehiko has succeeded in setting up his agenda for change. The governor of Hiroshima Prefecture does not […]
No49 [IDEAS] What to do, eat, and see
Hiroshima and its region are not lacking in interesting things to do. Here are some suggestions for making the most of your visit.. Every year, […]
No49 [CONFECTIONERY] The world of wagashi
An event dedicated to Japanese confectionery (wagashi) was recently held in London on the 8th of February. The wagashi event held at Le Cordon Bleu […]
No49 [TRADITION] Hanami
In japan, the fall of the cherry blossoms announces the start of spring. many temples, shrines, parks and schools, as well as private houses have […]
No48 [Politics] The phantom menace
Founded 20 years ago, Nippon Kaigi has become the most influential conservative movement in the country. According to its website, Nippon Kaigi is just “a […]
No48 [Report] The new battle of Okinawa
For many years, residents have opposed the American bases and their expansion here. All their attempts have been in vain so far. As a Buddhist […]
No48 [Cinema] Japan as you have never seen it
The Japan Foundation is offering an interesting perspective on Japanese society for its 2017 Touring Film Programme. In Japan, I often get the impression that […]
No48 [Hokkaido] In the footsteps of Ken-san
In this far northerly region, where winters are harsh, ghosts of the past can sometimes change the course of a journey. When I first set […]
No48 [Dining] Eat out or stay home? 1/2
They say that people delivered soba and udon noodles in Japan as early as the Edo period started in 1603. Food delivery, called demae in […]
No48 [Encounter] A well organised network
The success of Nippon Kaigi is down to its ability to reach the greatest number of people, says a worried Nakano Koichi. Zoom Japan talked […]
No48 [Support] Making good use of pop culture
Nippon Kaigi has benefitted from the support of the celebrated mangaka Kobayashi Yoshinori to promote its ideas. During its wide-ranging attempts at changing people’s attitudes […]
No48 [Language] Omoshiroi yo NIHONGO!
Welcome once again, to the fascinating world of the Japanese language. From the last issue, we have been introducing a series of useful phrases, categorised […]
No48 [Cooking] Clear soup with clams
Clear soup with clams The multiple layers of patterning on fresh clams are simply mesmerizing to the eye. Whenever I find good clams I cannot […]
No48 [Tradition] Momo no sekku
There are special days set aside in Japan to wish health and growth for children, and the 3rd of March, known as “Momo no sekku” […]