No29 [Encounter] Raw emotion
Many wounds inflicted by the disaster remain unhealed. They need to be treated before people can move on. It was raining in the city of […]
Articles by aConceptLondon
No29 [Regeneration] Watch out, construction in progress!
Four years have passed since the earthquake on the 11th of March 2011, and the city is starting to get back into shape once again. […]
No29 [Interview] Always aim higher
Successful author Yumemakura Baku discusses his work with the mangaka who have adapted it. Yumemakura Baku is one of Japan’s most famous authors. His work […]
No29 [Eating] Hanami
Hanami April means Hanami, a festival more compelling than a beautiful blossom… The cherry blossoms that spring into bloom around the start of April, and […]
No29 [Language] Omoshiroi yo NIHONGO!
Welcome once again, to the fascinating world of the Japanese language. The three words we will introduce today have one thing in common. They are […]
No29 [Drinking] Ginjo – unlike that of many others
Ginjo – unlike that of many others At long last the cold nights have finally ended and we are trasitioning into spring. With the change […]
No29 [Cooking] Japanese Tomato Salad
Japanese Tomato Salad Fancy making an extremely simple but utterly delicious Japanese salad dressing? I love […]
No29 [Travel] A little jaunt to Kanazawa
Thanks to a new fast section of railway line, this port city is now only two and a half hours away from Tokyo. The countdown […]
No29 [Interview] Wood Job – Yaguchi Shinobu
This month Zoom Japan met with film director Yaguchi Shinobu to talk about his latest project, a film about more than just lumberjacks! Please […]
No28 [History] A girl called Yokota Megumi
Abducted in November 1977, aged 13, her parents have been fighting for 37 years to bring her back to Japan. In a small living room […]
No28 [Focus] Japan has lost its way
Relations between Japan and North Korea are complex, and the situation weighs increasingly heavily on Japanese society. On the 13th of January, TV news programmes […]
No28 [Language] Omoshiroi yo NIHONGO!
Welcome once again, to the fascinating world of the Japanese language. This time we are going to introduce you to three funny expressions the Japanese […]
No.28 [Interview] Meet the king of comedy
Rakugo is a very unique way of making laugh people in Japan. We met Katsura Sunshine, one of his best representative. I hear that […]
No28 [Cooking] Spicy Yakiniku wrapped in lettuce with miso and chives
Spicy Yakiniku wrapped in lettuce with miso and chives Japanese barbeque, known as ‘yakiniku’, goes far […]
No28 [Travel] Walking in Taniguchi’s footsteps
700 kilometers west of Tokyo, Tottori prefecture has much to attract the curious. It all starts on a train, as it did for Nakahara Hiroshi, […]
No27 [Encounter] King of small cars
Hardly known outside Japan, Suzuki Osamu has still succeeded in exporting his brand around the world. The motor industry has always been dominated by larger-than-life […]
No27 [Focus] Pleasing the ladies
Aware of the importance of attracting female customers, Nissan has put together a new concept called Ladies First. Cars and engines are usually thought to […]
No27 [Focus] Small but sturdy
Keijidosha are all the rage, now making up 30% of all car sales throughout the nation. In most countries, car licence plates give useful information […]
No27 [Cooking] Gyoza with pork, prawn and chives
Gyoza with pork, prawn and chives Gyoza is a kind of pan-fried dumpling that is typically […]
No27 [Travel] Behind the scenes in Asakusa
Everyone comes here to see the famous Thunder Gate (Kaminarimon). However, the district has many other surprises too. The eastern district of Asakusa is one […]
No27 [Language] Omoshiroi yo NIHONGO!
Welcome once again, to the fascinating world of the Japanese language. The Japanese like to shorten words and sentences so much that in many cases […]
No27 [Eating] Madam is served
Madam is served Maeda Haruyo doesn’t always have time to cook, but just like many other women, she’s found a clever remedy to this. Daily […]
No27 [Drinking] A delightful tipple for a great price
A delightful tipple for a great price More than 10 years have passed since I came to London. There used to be a very limited […]
No26 [Encounter] Advice from Mr Yamazaki
The head of the Tokyo Rinkai Disaster Prevention Park reminds us of a few common sense rules. According to the Japanese government, the chances of […]
No26 [Experience] Prevention is better than cure
Vulnerable to the whims of nature, Japanese people learn to prepare for the worst through fun and games. Living in Japan is like sitting on […]
No26 [Focus] An Archipelago of volcanoes
Despite the danger they sometimes present, these mountains of fire still have a powerful attraction for the Japanese. On the 27th of September, a few […]
No26 [Cooking] Tamago-yaki (Japanese folded omelette)
Tamago-yaki (Japanese folded omelette) Sweet and lightly textured, Japanese omelette, or ‘Tamago-yaki’, is a popular sushi […]
No26 [Travel] A trip back in time in Matsumoto
Located in the heart of the Japanese Alps, this city is home to one of the rarest gems of military architecture. “Matsumoto, Matsumoto, Matsumoto” sings […]
No26 [Language] Omoshiroi yo NIHONGO!
Welcome once again, to the fascinating world of the Japanese language. The Japanese like to shorten words and sentences so much that in many cases […]
No26 [Movie] The world of Nakashima Tetsuya
Adapting a novel by Akio Fukamachi, the director offers a very strong film full of violence. He explains his choice. Have you been to the […]
No26 [Eating] Great dishes on a hot-plate
Great dishes on a hot-plate When she invites guests over, Maeda Haruyo is never short of ideas to entertain and please them. What do you […]
No25 [Testimony] The world according to Shirato
A kappa, as imagined by Katsumata Susumu, an extract from issue 67 of Garo, October 1969. collection Claude Leblanc Yomota Inuhiko was a long standing contributor […]
No25 [Focus] A thorn in the side called Garo
First published just fifty years ago, this magazine has not only had an impact on the world of manga, but also on Japanese society as […]
No25 [Cooking] Chicken Nikujyaga
Chicken Nikujyaga (Japanese stew of chicken, vegetables and shirataki noodles) Nikujyaga is the heart of Japanese […]
No25 [Train] 50 years at high speed
The shinkansen celebrates its fiftieth birthday this year. It is a technological success that has found its place in society. October 1964 will remain a […]
No25 [Travel] Autumn in Hiroshima
The trees clothed in their autumn colours are a stunning spectacle that’s not to be missed. There’s something magical about the onset of autumn in […]
No25 [Language] Omoshiroi yo NIHONGO!
Welcome once again, to the fascinating world of the Japanese language. Japanese like to shorten words and sentences so much that in many cases all […]
No25 [Manga] A model never equalled
As a great lover of manga, the writer Kawamoto Saburo shares with us his admiration for this legendary magazine. As far back as he can […]
No25 [Eating] Time to eat!
Time to eat! In Japan, one learns at a very young age that food is a serious matter. Maeda Haruyo takes us back to school. […]
No24 [Tips] The Best of Tokyo’s Depachika
When you next travel to the Japanese capital, don’t forget to visit these magical places. here are some we recommend. Tokyo is the depachika capital […]
No24 [Focus] The Food paradise
Set off on an adventure to discover one of Japan’s best-kept secrets: the basements of large department stores. According to some foreign visitors, Japan’s so […]
No24 [Cooking] Tofu Teriyaki Burger
Tofu Teriyaki Burger Whether you are a vegetarian or an omnivore, tofu is a healthy and versatile […]
No24 [Anime] Are you ready to be controlled Sybil?
Psycho-Pass is an animation series produced by Production I. g. and distributed across Japan between 2012 and 2013. It is dystopian science fiction that also […]
No24 [Travel] Walking sacred paths
Kumano and its sacred pilgrimage routes were jointly registered as a UNESCO World heritage sites ten years ago. A good place to start your journey […]
No24 [Art, manga] The amazing Yokoyama Yuichi
The leader of neo-manga is presenting his work in europe for the first time with an exhibition in Toulouse, France. Yokoyama Yuichi’s manga defy convention. […]
No24 [Restaurant] Heat, Meat, and Umami 2/2
Heat, Meat, and Umami 2/2 Explore the luscious, meaty world of Japanese-style yakiniku at newly opened Kintan in Chancery Lane. Through an elegantly understated doorway […]
No24 [Food] Yukari in wonderland
To work in one of these big shops selling the finest goods means acquiring a proper set of skills. This is the tale of how […]
No24 [Language] Omoshiroi yo NIHONGO!
The Japanese language loves to shorten and combine words and has long been abundant with clever abbreviations and amalgamations. Let’s learn to use some of […]
No23 [Focus] Characters who serve the public interest
In Ishinomaki, in the region ravaged by 2011’s tsunami, mascots are a source of comfort. They have been the height of fashion lately, and one […]
No23 [Focus] Mascot planet
After becoming Japan’s favourite little characters, the rest of the world is now falling for this army of cheerful town mascots. You simply cannot miss […]
No23 [Mascot] Kumamon, a hairy bear
Koyama Kundo’s mission is to make people happy, a mission that he has accomplished admirably thanks to his popular mascot character. Script and broadcast writer […]
No23 [Mascot] Goda Tsuneo’s lucky star
Since he created Domo, NHK’s star character, this animator has experienced great success. A Japanese dwarf is conquering the West, one country after another, with […]
No23 [Cooking] Tofu, Edamame and Wakame salad with Yuzu dressing
Tofu, Edamame and Wakame salad with Yuzu dressing This simple oriental salad went down a storm […]
No23 [Travel] Yanaka, an oasis of peace in Tokyo
Yanaka has become one of the capital’s most popular locations, yet it is still one of the most peaceful. Let’s give you a guided tour. […]
No23 [Restaurant] Yakiniku, the next food boom
Yakiniku, the next food boom Everybody knows about sushi and ramen, but there is also another intriguing type of Japanese restaurant to discover. Sushi and […]
No23 [Cinema] Advertising Nagai Akira
In his second film, ‘Judge!’, director Nagai Akira tackles a subject he knows well: advertising. Don’t miss this gem! So, Mr. Nagai, what was your […]
No22 [Luxury] The Orient Express made in Japan
Since last October, you can discover Kyushu Island while on board an exceptional train designed by Mitooka Eiji. For the last ten years, the island […]
No22 [Discovery] Their originality is their strength
Yufuin no mori With an exterior that is curvaceous and rounded. This is a train that you immediately want to climb aboard when you see […]
No22 [Focus] The railway world renewed
The idea of special excursion trains was first developed on Kyushu Island. They are now multiplying across the rest of the country. Travelling by train […]
No22 [Culture] Ito Toyo, in the service of men
On his recent visit to Paris, the winner of the 2013 Pritzker Architecture Prize returned to the subject of his different projects. Zoom Japon, our French sister publication, made […]
No22 [Cooking] Nasu Dengaku
Nasu Dengaku (Aubergine with Miso) Dengaku is a style of Japanese cooking with sweetened miso paste. […]
No22 [Literature] Discovering Natsume Soseki
Published a century ago, Kokoro is still very popular in Japan in 2014. The Asahi Shinbun newspaper, that first published it in serial form, has started […]
No22 [Train] The man who loved trains
His railway creations are what dreams are made of. Okuyama Ken tells us more about his work and projects. You can’t talk about Japanese train […]
No22 [Travel] The Inner Sea by bike
There’s nothing like a lovely bike ride from one island to the other to discover one of Japan’s most beautiful regions. Despite the dense […]
No22 [Eating] It’s time for kaimono
It’s time for kaimono Maeda Haruyo has lived in Europe for a long time. She tells us what it’s like to feed her family in […]
No21 [Drinking] Matcha is 100% natural
Matcha is 100% natural Considering it as a sort of superhero amongst teas, Louise Cheadle gives us a lesson about this wonderful green powder. Matcha […]
No21 [Museum] A memory failure
In Tokyo’s Yasukuni Shrine, the Yushukan Museum reveals its own version of the Second World War. Many countries try to arouse their national pride through […]
No21 [Focus] Which version of history ?
A visit to Yasukuni Shrine and provocative declarations means that the past never ceases to create waves. On December the 26th last year, Prime Minister […]
No21 [Manga] Taniguchi at his best
The author of A Distant Neighbourhood gives adventure a try with his new masterpiece. In 1924 two mountaineers, Mallory and Irvine, attempt the first ascension […]
No21 [Cinema] When Miike Takashi goes wild
Japan’s most out-there film maker makes a come back with a feature that recalls his earlier works. If one hopes for controversial cinema, is Miike […]
No21 [DVD] Big-hearted Exorcist
First published in Japan in 2009, Blue Exorcist, the manga series written and illustrated by Kato Kazue, was adapted into a 25-episode animation just two […]
No21 [Culture] A few useful things to know
Politicians are increasingly tempted to play with history. A game that could prove dangerous. In the ongoing debate on historical memory and revisionism in Japan, […]
No21 [Cooking] Tonkatsu
Tonkatsu (Pork cutlet) When tonkatsu met curry ‘pork katsu curry’ was born. What you may not […]
No21 [Travel] Between heaven and earth
Far less well-known than Naoshima, Teshima in the Inland Sea has many surprises in store. For several years now, contemporary art lovers travelling to Japan […]
No21 [Culture] A point of view from America
Tony Marano, alias Texas Daddy, has been defending radical theories for several years. The debate about Japan’s wartime history (particularly the more thorny issues, like […]
No21 [Culture] Never forget
Since 2006, the Chukiren Peace Memorial Hall has been fighting to present the truth about the war. If the Yushukan Museum represents the attractive, glossy, […]
No20 [Development] An inseparable destiny
The Tohoku region is not only famous for its sake; the excellence of its fishing is also well proven. The areas hit by the tsunami […]
No20 [Experience] Kashiwa Daisuke at his best
Master-brewer at the Otokoyama brewery, this former salesman carries on the tradition out of a deep love for his city. Otokoyama’s high quality sake brewed […]
No20 [Resistance] The post-Fukushima antidote
In Kitakata, the Yamatogawa brewery produces a 100% guaranteed alcohol while supporting the region’s producers. Situated at the extreme northwest of Fukushima, on the border […]
No20 [Sake] Sake, the soul of Tohoku
Badly damaged by the tsunami of March 2011, the region is being rebuilt, partly thanks to this drink of the gods. If I were asked […]
No20 [Drinking] For Sake’s Sake – Part 3/3
For Sake’s Sake – Part 3/3 Kikuya Natsuki, director of the Museum of Sake, continues our journey into the fascinating world of sake. In this, […]
No20 [Movie] Tsukamoto’s hard-hitting film
Third Window Films, true to its habit of delivering some of the best Japanese films to grace the silver screen, presents Tokyo Fist. Tsuda meets […]
No20 [Anime] Vampires & co
Blood C The last Dark is a sequel, or rather an epilogue, to the animated series Blood C, although it does not follow the plot […]
No20 [Travel] The power of cherry blossom
Every year, at the arrival of spring, cherry blossom casts a spell over the Japanese. Can’t you feel it in the air? The interminable winter […]
No20 [Cooking] Yakitori
Yakitori Succulent cubes of diced chicken put on bamboo skewers and grilled over charcoal, yakitori with […]
No20 [Music] Yoshiki back to England
Considered as one of Japan’s most influential artists, the founder of XJapan will be in London just for one night. Tell us about your […]
No19 [Revolution] A reinvented bookstore
Not only is it architecturally remarkable, Tsutaya Daikanyama also owes its success to its original business model. This place made the Flavorwire website’s list of […]
No19 [Youth] The happy dream factory
Created by a group of mothers, the Kodomo no honya bookshop’s reputation now stretches beyond the capital. Sometimes the best places in Tokyo are tucked […]
No19 [Idea] A bold initiative by Nakajima
The manager of Post has chosen to promote one publisher at a time to enable their work to become better known. If you are tired […]
No19 [Discovery] Treasures galore
To give one the time to stop and think; this is the aim of the founders of Cow Books. Naka-Meguro is considered a hip […]
No19 [Focus] Tokyo, bastion of books and bookshops
In 2013 there were 1,675 bookshops in the capital of Japan, compared to only 802 in London. Just as in other parts of the world, […]
No19 [Interview] Meet a hard rock vampire!
This month we took a walk on the dark side of Japanese rock and tracked down Hyde to ask him how preparations were going. This […]
No19 [Drinking] For Sake’s Sake – Part 2/3
For Sake’s Sake – Part 2/3 Kikuya Natsuki, director of the Museum of Sake, continues our journey into the fascinating world of sake. In this, […]
No19 [Cooking] French Bean with Black Sesame Seed
French Bean with Black Sesame Seed Rich in vitamins and minerals, sesame seeds are crunchy and […]
No19 [Travel] On top of the mountain
Located just thirty kilometres southwest of Takamatsu, Kotohira has many hidden treasures to offer. Shikoku is one of the archipelago’s most attractive regions but many […]
No19 [Interview] Colorful, the story of a family
© 2010 ETO MORI / FUJI TELEVISION NETWORK, INC. / SUNRISE INC. / DENTSU INC. / ANIPLEX INC./SONY MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT (JAPAN) INC. / TOHO CO., […]
No18 [Journey] Through the tower of delights
Even someone not often inclined to go shopping cannot resist the appeal of Tokyu Hands. Being someone who doesn’t like shopping and whose idea of […]
No18 [Discover] Tokyu Hands, a place of wonder
Located in the young district of Shibuya, this department store is a unique place frequented by a wide range of curious customers. To visit Tokyo […]
No18 [Interview] Master Tester Fukumoto
Tokyu Hands’ success can be explained by the will to share expertise about the various products they sell. Every working place needs its captain, even […]
No18 [Event] Literary expressions
Novellist Furukawa Hideo, together with poets Suga Keijiro and Ishida Mizuho, recount the story of post March 11th Japan. Writer Furukawa Hideo has previously told […]