|  The
World of Tokyo Fashion
With flashing neon lights and nonstop music blaring
in your ears, a brief walk through the crowded streets
of Tokyo will introduce you to a variety of men and
women in outfits that range from the notable stereotype
of the chic Japanese lady in designer jeans to the
playful teens hooked on dressing like their favorite
anime characters. ...
|
 Japan
has the Biggest Flamenco Following Outside Spain
Japan now has the largest flamenco following outside
Spain with approximately 80,000 people studying this
Spanish dance at about 600 schools. ... |
 Cosplayers
are Entertainers and Ambassadors of Friendship
Cosplay, an abbreviation for “costume play”
in which people dress up in the costumes of their favorite
anime, manga or movie characters, is gaining in popularity
worldwide. Cosplay was born out of original Japanese
otaku (obsessed hobbiest) culture, and now has become
so popular that “World Cosplay Summit (WCS) 2006”
was sponsored by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and
the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.
... |
 Collectors
Keep Old Records Spinning in Tokyo
In between lighting up a cigarette, serving a double
scotch and pulling a few pints of Guinness, ENDO Hiroyuki
somehow manages to slip a record onto one of his decks
and gently lower the needle. As Jimi HENDRIX’s
guitar on Little Wing begins to fade out, Endo flicks
a switch and propels the music forward 25 years to Blur’s
Parklife. ... |
 Japanese
Traditional Art, Origami, Adored Worldwide
Origami is a well known aspect of Japanese traditional
culture. It is played by folding pieces of colorful
paper in creative ways to make many kinds of shapes
and objects. The word “origami” is widely
known worldwide and is spelt using Roman letters these
days. ... |
 Kite
Lovers' Passion Soars Between Art Form
Over two days in May, tens of thousands of people from
across the nation and beyond converge on Ishikawa Prefecture
for the annual Uchinada World Kite Festival. The mass
turn out is a sign that interest in kites is as strong
as it's ever been. ... |
 Men's
Cooking Classes Attracting Baby Boomers
April 2007 will be the time when baby boomers begin
to retire. People are now interested in how they will
live their lives when they will have so much time to
spare. Against this background, men's cooking classes
are beginning to catch the attention of many men. Over
the last few years, the number of people attending cooking
classes has been increasing. ... |
 Culture
of Self expression Bloomed in the Streets
Young people are always enthusiastic about expressing
themselves on the streets. A decade ago, there were
outdoor performance groups called "Takenoko-zoku,"
and now, the cosplay enthusiasts have taken over. A
culture of self-expression has flowered in response
to the long period of relative peace that has been taken
for granted in Japan. ... |
 "This
is the wedding I longed for" - producers of dream
weddings
Until the early 90s in Japan, wedding ceremonies used
to be held at deluxe hotels and specialized wedding
ceremony halls, but recently the number of simple weddings,
or the so-called "Jimikon" in which couples
only invite their close friends and relatives, has been
rapidly increasing. ... |
 "Ramen"
is the most popular food in Japan
Japanese food, which comes in many varieties, is very
popular all over the world. Among the wide variety available,
sushi and gyuudon are well-known to foreigners. However,
Japanese people most enjoy eating ramen which look like
Chinese noodles. ... |
 Adults
Entranced by Picture Coloring Boom
Japan is now experiencing a picture coloring boom, however,
this boom is for adults, not children. The boom was
started by a book series called "Otona no Nurie,"
(published by Kawade Shobo Shinsha) which includes a
beautiful flower edition and a Birds of the World edition.
... |
 A
sport widespread throughout Japan that anybody can easily
play anywhere
Everyone, do you know Kendama, the cup and ball game?
As you will see in the picture, Kendama involves playing
with and catching a wooden ball in a 'saucer.' Now it
is attracting attention as a sport. ... |
 Traditional
Hunting Culture where Man and Falcon Collaborate
Japan is enjoying an unprecedented pet boom at present
and many kinds of animals are being kept by people all
over Japan. Mr. OZAKU Fumio, who lives in the town of
Mizuho, Tokyo, keeps three falcons at his home. ...
|
 Now
Anyone can Show Their Films to the World!
Japanese mobile phones have many capabilities and a
camera is normally included in most models. Most phones
also come equipped with a movie camera. Couples can
take pictures of each other and parents can film their
children anytime and anywhere. ... |
 Badges
of Ignorance
English mistakes might be the cheapest form of entertainment
known to gaijin in Japan. Seeing an older gentlemen
board the train in Osaka wearing a "Sperman"
T-shirt can overcome the worst of days - believe me.
... |
 Parents
Bonding with Children through Heroes Spanning Two Generations
SAWADA Ken-ichi's family, which lives in Akishima city,
Tokyo, has a custom to go out together as a family on
weekends. The favorite entertainment for their children
Kabuto, 5, and Taito, 3, are the "Masked Rider"
(Kamen Rider) and "Ultraman" shows held in
amusement parks, and they often visit amusement parks
with these shows. ... |
 The
Ever Evolving World of Japanese Internet Cafe
Japanese internet cafes are changing at a rapid pace.
Internet caf? are not only used for viewing websites
and checking e-mails - rather they are used as an entertainment
space. For instance, the "Media Cafe POPEYE"
in Shinjuku, Tokyo, which opened in 2004, has many of
the newest service facilities. ... |
 Japanese
"Otaku" Attracting Worldwide Attention
Several months ago, the discovery of the so-called "piano
man" on the south coast of England made news around
the world, while in Japan word about "train man,"
that began in 2004, is still in the news. In the drama,
a young man rescues a young woman from a violent drunkard
on a train. ... |
 Entertaining
Women is My Job
At age 26, Thor Williamson seems to enjoy the kind of
job most men could only dream of. His office, if you
can call it that, looks like a bachelor's paradise,
filled with gold-colored chandeliers, red carpet, mirrored
ceilings and walls, and a well-stocked liquor cabinet.
His work brings him into contact with thousands of female
clients, some very beautiful and wealthy, for whom he
is paid a handsome commission to entertain. ... |
 Reggae
Dance - A Heroine Supporting the Boom from Behind the
Scenes
Hot and sexy reggae dance is now taking off among young
Japanese girls and it's only going to get hotter. Reggae
dance site "ONE AND G" is backing this boom
with 6,000 visitors a day, introductions of 130 reggae
dance teams nationwide, reggae dance videos, flashy
costumes and informative columns written by dancers
displayed on their site. ... |
 Escape
into Cosplay?
It seems like a Halloween party every Sunday afternoon
in Harajuku, Tokyo as the streets come alive with car
crash victims, evil nurses and fantasy creatures posing
in front of amateur photographers and confusing tourists
with their dark make-up and elaborate costumes. ... |
|
|
