Articles by aConceptLondon

Machida Shinobu has made a study of sento for the past 30 years. He knows all the secrets of public baths. Taking a bath may […]

The Matsuyanagi family have been managing this establishment in Yotsuya for the past 45 years. It is growing in popularity again. The first time I […]

There is a list of words the sento user needs to know in order to take full advantage of the place. Entotsu – the chimney […]

Washing and relaxing in very hot water is a ritual deeply embedded in Japanese life. It’s time to scrub each other’s backs. Whether CEO, beggar, […]

There exist approximately 3,000 varieties of ekiben across Japan. Zoom Japan is going to let you in on which ones are the best. Jérémie Souteyrat […]

We investigated how the relationship the Japanese have with ekiben has changed over the last few decades. For many people in Japan, ekiben conjure up […]

Since the end of the 19th century, the Japanese have known how to combine the pleasure of travelling with eating well, with the station lunch […]

Little known to foreign visitors, and even to the Japanese themselves, the Tokyo Olympic Memorial Gallery is an original and interesting place where many souvenirs […]

The famous columnist Kawamoto Saburo remembers this very important period for post-war Japan. For 45 years writer Kawamoto Saburo has chronicled Tokyo’s past and present. […]

On September the 7th, the International Olympic Committee meets to decide which city will host the 2020 Games and Tokyo is in with a chance […]

As you move away from the louder streets in the neighbourhood, you may have a few surprising encounters. Around the back of the trendiest streets […]

Watari Koichi, director of the Watarium, was born and raised in Harajuku. He will guide us through this area so dear to him. Harajuku is […]

Artist Chocomoo has become very popular with many brands. Here she tells us more about her favourite places.  This year’s rainy season has been quite […]

In the space of five decades, this ancient and once tranquil district has become one of the foremost centres for international fashion.  It can’t be […]

House sharing is currently developing as a significant societal trend, especially since the disasters of March 11th 2011.  Household models and lifestyles in Japan have […]

Even though she doesn’t have any children, Kusano Mie has understood that a healthy future needs to be ensured for birth rates to rise. At […]

The tragic events of the 11th of March 2011 affected this couple’s dream of having many children.    Saitama is a suburb in the northeast […]

If the Japanese are not having enough children, it’s their own fault. At least, that’s the opinion of one mother.  Watanabe Junko has been married […]

For the past few years, a new generation of fathers has been participating more in their children’s education. Kuromoto Kana chose to call her daughter […]

To start a family and have children isn’t an obvious choice in Japan anymore. Zoom Japan investigated. What does being a parent in Japan mean […]

The country’s modernisation at the end of the 19th century coincided with the introduction of the first vending machines. Since then, they have become a […]

They are everywhere. From the north to the south, on top of Mount Fuji or under the sea and they are in service around the […]

A late-comer to bamboo weaving, he learned everything from his father. Bamboo craftwork has a long history in Japan; excavations have revealed finely woven and […]

After re-appearing at the beginning of the last century, folk handicrafts are making a comeback, but with a different emphasis. In its November 2012 issue […]