Pop Culture

From educational innovation to traffic safety, discover how Japan’s VTubers are having a positive influence beyond the virtual world.

VTubers are online performers who use digital avatars to blend Japan’s rich anime culture and advanced technology to reach and entertain people. Initially a niche form of online entertainment, VTubing has evolved into a global phenomenon, reshaping how individuals engage with media and build connections. In Japan, their influence extends beyond entertainment into fields such as education, government communication, and safety awareness.

There is one pastime that unites nearly all Japanese children, as well as many adults: reading manga. Manga, or Japanese comics, are pervasive in Japan. Together with their animated counterpart, anime, they have spread around the world to become industries worth billions of dollars. But while these days many people abroad are familiar with manga and anime, few may be aware of the heart of both these industries: manga magazines. Nearly all anime series, from ASTROBOY in the 1950s, to DRAGON BALL and PRETTY GUARDIAN SAILOR MOON in the 1990s, to more recent hits like ONE PIECE and NARUTO, originated as serialized manga in the pages of Japanese manga magazines.

Japan is famous around the world for its cute characters. You might already be familiar with Japanese game or anime characters like Pikachu or Totoro. But in Japan, the love for adorable characters runs deeper than that. Many towns and prefectures have their own mascot characters called “yuru-chara.” More than just cute, these characters are helping to revitalize the localities they represent.

Ikebana is the Japanese art of flower arrangement. By arranging flowers and other plants, ikebana artists create beauty and bring the elegance of nature into the home. Let’s learn where this Japanese tradition came from, and where it is heading in the future.

In 2024, a Japanese animation studio beat out its powerhouse rivals abroad to win the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature with The Boy and the Heron. You may already be familiar with the studio in question, Studio Ghibli, or the film’s director, Hayao Miyazaki. Some of the studio’s past works include 1988’s My Neighbor Totoro, 1997’s Princess Mononoke, and their previous Academy Award winner, 2001’s Spirited Away. With a storied history of hit films, the studio has garnered passionate fans of all ages, and its films have been cited as inspiration by some of the biggest directors in the world. Let’s look at what makes this studio so unique, and why it is beloved by fans both in Japan and around the world.

Japan has long been famous for its world-class customer service. Rooted in a culture that values hospitality and attention to detail, Japanese consumer-facing businesses go above and beyond in their care for the customer. Let’s take a look at the modern customer service experience in Japan and some of the things that set it apart.

In April 2025, “Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan” will be held. In correlation with the theme and concept of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan, which continues to attract public attention, we'd like to introduce Kansai companies and products that use futuristic and new ideas in their production.

In the past few years, an increasing number of people have become more health-conscious and focused on their physical fitness due to the growing amount of time spent at home. While it has become common to see people walking and running daily, it is also true that many people can’t get into the habit of exercise, or don’t know where to start when it comes to exercising. Amidst this, convenience gyms have been garnering attention in Japan. A convenience gym is a gym that can be used whenever you want, making for a space where people can exercise with the same easy access as a convenience store. So why have convenience gyms soared in popularity in Japan? Let’s take a look at what makes them so appealing.

Japan has created many popular characters that are well known overseas, too. Friendly and cute characters from Japan are particularly well loved by many people across a wide age range. Recently, some characters have become famous after gaining attention on social media. These characters help relax and soothe people while bringing smiles to their faces. This article will showcase some characters in Japan that have gained popularity in recent years.

Nishikigoi are a type of carp that originated through mutation during the Edo period (specifically, the 19th century) in Japan. They have been bred over many years, and have been loved as ornamental fish by Japanese people for a long time. Nishikigoi are called "living jewels" and "swimming works of art" owing to their striking beauty. More and more people worldwide are becoming fans of these valuable ornamental fish. Let's take a look at nishikigoi and how it captivates people around the globe.

hoto sticker machines are interactive photo booths where you can take photos and print them out as stickers and have been a hit among teenagers ever since they first appeared in amusement arcades back in 1995. They also allow you to add frames, decorate them with doodle functions or edit the photos themselves. The craze has continued to grow to the point that the first thing teenagers say when they hang out is "let's take photo stickers!" — it's even become a slogan. Here, we will delve into why photo sticker machines are so popular and how teenagers like to enjoy them.

Sukajan are a type of jacket made from glossy fabric, embroidered with quintessentially East Asian designs. Officially branded sukajan for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics (held in 2021) brought them to the attention of people around the world, and their fan base has grown thanks to sukajan-inspired products from European fashion brands. Let's take a look at their unique appeal.

In Japan, appreciation for tiny things has long been part of the culture, and it's common for people to set small things down and admire their beauty up close. There's also a proud tradition of making small, intricately detailed objects by hand. Bonsai trees are of course known worldwide and considered an important part of Japanese culture passed down through the ages, but there are also more modern manifestations of this widespread love for small objects — from miniature products that reflect contemporary culture and trends to the emergence of artists working on a uniquely petite scale. Let's take a look at how Japan's miniature culture has continuously evolved in step with the Japanese passion for craftsmanship.

From children to adults, everyone loves an amusement park. Of course, this goes for people in Japan too. With a history going back over 100 years, Japan's amusement parks have their own distinct appeal — ranging from exciting attractions that can be enjoyed alongside scenic views to haunted house attractions unique to Japan and movie-like live-action shows. Each amusement park has its own personality specific to that region, and they are a great place for discovering new aspects of Japan.

All around the world, retro fashion and items are experiencing a surge of popularity among Generation Z — people born between the mid-1990s and the 2010s. One example of this is the revival of "Y2K fashion" from the 2000s. The bright and glossy clothing, short shirts and skirts, and pop bead accessories that were popular at the time are now back on trend for a second round. The unusual thing about this revival is that it's happening globally all at once. But, for this article, let's focus on Japan—what is it about the retro aesthetic that's striking a chord with young Japanese people?

Saunas are very popular in Japan. They originated in Finland, but spread across the world to Japan where they have been loved for many years and have become a natural part of Japanese life. Learn about the history of saunas in Japan, and why they are so popular today.

City pop, a Japanese music genre from the mid-1970s, has recently been drawing attention from around the world. Some music videos have over 50 million views on video-sharing sites, and a song ranked number one on the viral charts of a major music subscription service for more than two weeks. But why is city pop suddenly growing in popularity among music fans around the world?

There are a number of large parks to enjoy in the skyscraper-filled cities of Japan, but recently, you can see more farms emerging in urban areas. An urban farmland leasing act was enacted in 2018, after which rooftop farms and community gardens started to appear in downtown residential areas.

From scenes of samurai walking in historic dramas, to bizarre shots of modern-day Tokyo, most of the Japanese scenery that appears in films and TV shows is actually filmed on open sets. We're going to take a look at a few open sets that have contributed to on-screen realism.

Japanese dogs are famous throughout the world, especially the "Shiba-Inu" and "Akita" breeds. Some overseas celebrities who keep Japanese dogs have even made headlines. These breeds attract attention from all over the world thanks to their strong bodies, noble appearance, courage, and faithfulness — cool character traits that are thought to be just like a samurai.

Anime from Japan is recognized around the world. Many people are captivated by the wide range of Anime in Japan and come to visit the country. Japan is a powerhouse for Anime, but did you know that it has a large number of schools where you can learn the things you need to work in Anime in the future? This article looks at schools that train Anime creators and other professionals who do work related to Anime.

The 100-yen shop is one kind of iconic store in Japan.You are sure to be surprised by the wide assortment of products on sale: from food, sundries, small accessories, and daily essentials to the latest electronic devices.

Many people in Japan wear masks on a daily basis when influenza spreads in the winter, or when there is a lot of pollen from Japanese cedars and Japanese cypresses in the air.

Japanese people love goldfish. This might be because they are small and cute. Or perhaps it is because they come in many beautiful colors, such as red, white, gold, and black. Maybe it is because they are hardy pets that you can keep without needing a lot of effort. There are many different reasons why Japanese people love goldfish.

Have you heard about cafes where you can pet and play with cute animals? In many regular zoos, you can only see the animals in cages or behind glass, and so you cannot easily experience how they are up close or hear them breathing.

Festivals called “Matsuri” have been held all across Japan since ancient times. These Matsuri are important events for people living nearby, and the tradition of these festivals has been passed down through generations to the present day.

In Japan you sometimes see cars with characters and logos from anime, manga and games drawn boldly on the bodywork. They originate from the so-called otaku culture (geek culture) and the main motifs used are heroines and beautiful young female characters from anime and games.

There are many older games that were created in Japan and enjoyed all over the world, such as the Super Mario Bros., Donkey Kong, and Pacman series.

Media from around the globe reported that Japanese supporters had cleaned up the stadium after a match during the 2018 Soccer World Cup in Russia.

In Japan, people have long since taken sightseeing trips on small boats, enjoying parties and meals on the water.

Japanese confectionery can be divided into Yogashi (western-style confectionery) and Wagashi (Japanese-style confectionery).

Recent years have seen the production and performance of a large number of live stage shows that are based on original Japanese pop culture such as Manga, Anime and games ; shows that have been attracting attention.

It is not uncommon for fans of animated and live action films to visit locations featured in such stories. With the development of social networks it is now possible even for complete strangers to easily share information with one another.

Did you know there is masking tape with cute and colorful patterns? Beyond the drab masking tape used by painters in their work, new decorative tape is available from Japan.

How would you like to experience the thrill of being the main character of a video game or novel? You get that thrill in escape game events where you get hands-on in puzzle solving.

Projection mapping has colored buildings and open spaces brilliantly at festivals and events around the world.

Lucky bags are a feature of the beginning of a new year in Japan. A lucky bag is a sealed package containing many goods, with the bag offered for sale at a lower price than the total value of the goods in it. They have been very popular among Japanese people as New Year merchandise.

Cafes are places where people get together to chat, meet for business, or leisurely spend some time alone. Naturally, different countries have different styles of cafes. In Japan, coffee came from the West in the Edo era (1603-1868),

If you visit Japan, you might well see women who are stylishly dressed while enjoying running, mountain climbing, or fishing.

Soft Serve ice cream is sold in numerous unique flavors at tourist sites throughout Japan from northernmost Hokkaido to southernmost Okinawa.

Anison is a word combination of anime (English word for Japanese animation) and song, and is used in Japan as the word for the theme songs and incidental songs used in an animated productions.

If you walk around a town in Japan, you will notice that there are vending machines packed with sense of enjoyment.

With its features that harmonize seamlessly with any dish, the use of Japanese sake is rapidly spreading among famous hotels and long-established restaurants overseas.

A half century after the start of TV animation, the focus will be on the up-and-coming young film creators who will drive the Japanese animation industry.

Japanese favorite Curry-rice aims to break new ground as the "National Dish", mixed with various ingredients.

Michi-no-Eki, rest areas lying along normal roads, are popular spots used by more than 500milion people a year. These spots focus on tourist information and sales of locally produced food, also, many of them are turning into tourist hubs, with hot springs and workshop practice sessions.

One by one, traditional Japanese cake ”Wagashi” sets a seasonal scene. While the skill of wagashi craftsmen has been handed down throughout the ages and is much cherished, wagashi have also risen to provide shining examples of new challenges.

In the spring of 2013, Kabuki-za has been revived with an entire renewal.While significantly leaving the vestiges of the theater in the past, such as the large tiled roof, the theater has been wonderfully modernized with a high rise building linked to the establishment.

Kumamon, a mascot PR character of Kumamoto prefecture in the Kyushu region of Japan, is now "Japan's most popular bear".

In its birthplace of Japan, karaoke is evolving further, with more advanced karaoke machines harnessing web technologies to broaden the scope for fun, including dubbing of anime scenes and singing duets with strangers.

Ekiben (train bento boxes) sold on trains or at stations are packed with the sensitivity, creativity and technology of Japanese people as well as with regional specialties across Japan.

Sento is an easily accessible public bath in Japan, boasting giant bathtubs. Featuring unique architectural designs and styles of public bathing, sento has been passed down to date as the “culture of the general public.”

In Japan, novelty cafes are popular and constantly opening up because of the diverse nature of consumer demand. These include cafes where you can watch cats and rabbits, or where you can enjoy rakugo storytelling or model railways.

Restaurants in Japan often display tasty-looking food in their windows. These food models are replicas, peculiar to Japan, and surprisingly realistic, produced by expert craftsmen with sophisticated techniques.

In Japan, people enjoy hot summer in a cool way with wisdom and ingenuity such as the sound of furin (a tiny wind-bell), watching fireworks or dining on the river.

Akihabara (also known as Akiba for short) is about synonymous with Japanese subculture and hallowed ground for anime and manga comics and character figures. And there are a number of such spots in Japan other than Akiba.

In Japan there are countless manga kissa, or manga cafes, that cater to customers seeking to refresh with a comic book or wanting some downtime.

In capturing the simple details of life, modern anime is finding a new audience.

In Japan these days, young women—always on the leading edge of pop culture—have taken nail art to a new dimension, turning their nails into fascinating, virtual objets d'art.

An ancient historical period of warring Japanese generals has taken the country by storm, inspiring everything from entertainment to tourism. And it's the young women who have been fueling this boom!

Video sharing sites are enabling new ways of communicating with others and creating a unique media experience online.

Giving young women a chance to see themselves pictured with ideal cuteness and beauty, purikura photo booths are now offering even more options as they continue to evolve.

Knitting, embroidery, cord braiding and other such crafts are reworking fashion, café culture and contemporary art.

Japan has long led the world in cutting-edge advances in mobile phone technology and features—some of which are just beginning to appear in other advanced nations.

From its simple origins, ramen has undergone a spectacular evolution to give a stunning variety to be savored today.

Today, growing numbers of anime and manga feature specific locations and real buildings in detail, making them popular pilgrimage spots for fans.

The personification phenomenon has entered the mainstream of Japanese culture. Cute, humanlike characters have become a vital part of popular culture and a key element in corporate and government public relations.

What has enabled Japan to produce one high-quality manga hit after another? We take a look behind the scenes at some of the factors that have made Japanese manga such a phenomenon around the world.