No.100 [TREND] Christmas in Japan
In Yoyogi-Uehara district, in Tokyo, the shops had already put up their Christmas decorations in November. / E […][...]
FOCUS
No.100 [HISTORY] Reasons for the hype
Disguising yourself as a Christmas tree is one way of celebrating this festive season in Osaka. / Eric Rechste […][...]
No.99 [TASTE] A return to favour for shoyu
In Bar Flute Flute, champagne has found an unusual companion: soy sauce./ All Rights Reserved The commitment o […][...]
No.99 Shoyu, miso: top two
Packets of miso on a supermarket shelf. There is a wide range to suit all tastes./ Eric Rechsteiner for Zoom J […][...]
No.99 [INFLUENCE] An empire named Kikkoman
The gigantic size of its industrial facilities illustrates the brand’s economic importance./ Eric Rechsteiner […][...]
No.98 [FOCUS] En route to another Japan
The all-enveloping tarako (cod-roe) coloured livery of the KiHa trains recalls the Showa era. / Gianni Simone […][...]
No.98 [FOCUS] ADVENTURE In Tojinbo, watch your step
Every year, between 15 and 25 people choose the Tojinbo cliffs to commit suicide. / Gianni Simone for Zoom Jap […][...]
No.98 [FOCUS] TIP Tango, the incredible peninsular
Amanohashidate first appeared about 6,000 years ago when sea levels rose. / Gianni Simone for Zoom Japan Welco […][...]
No.97 [FOCUS] Third age: the Japanese exprience
With almost 30% of its population aged over 65, Japan is working on a “long life project” (choju shakai). / Er […][...]
No.96 [EVOLUTION] Kotobuki-cho has gone grey
Ageing have become main causes for concern in Kotobuki-cho. / Eric Rechsteiner for Zoom Japan Formerly a base […][...]
No.96 [TASTE] A long love affair
With 1,936 restaurants, Sukiya, founded in Yokohama, is the main gyudon chain in Japan. / Eric Rechsteiner for […][...]
No.95 [FOCUS] An uncertain future for the train
The pandemic has been a major factor in driving away train passengers in Japan. Mojiko Station, at the norther […][...]
No.94 [THE PAST] Still a red-hot issue
Among other things, Kishi Toshihiko has edited an encyclopaedia of Manchurian history. / Eric Rechsteiner for […][...]
No.94 [FOCUS] Lessons of Manchukuo
Mukden railway station (present-day Shenyang) and the famous Asia Express train, flagship of the South Manchur […][...]
Vol.93 Sakoku or spirit of closure
Japan welcomed nearly 32 million foreign visitors in 2019, in contrast to only 250,000 in 2021! The Japanese g […][...]
Vol.93 [ENCOUNTER] The weight of history
According to Ito Gaichi, this tendency to look inwards has its roots in the country’s past. According to write […][...]
No.92 [FOCUS] Okinawa’s desire for change
Elected as governor of Okinawa Prefecture in 2018, Tamaki Denny will try to retain his position in the electio […][...]
No.92 [DISCOVERY] The great tradition of awamori
Awamori aged for 5 years in a pot (kamejikomi) produced by the Ishikawa distillery. In the space of just a few […][...]
Vol.91 [FOCUS] Mizuki’s 100th anniversary
Self-portrait of Mizuki Shigeru surrounded by his most famous characters. A titan of manga culture, Mizuki Shi […][...]
Vol.91 [DESTINY] “He was a workaholic”
Photo of Mizuki Shigeru on display in Kitaro Chaya, in Chofu, in the western suburbs of Tokyo. Haraguchi Naoko […][...]
No.90 [FOCUS] Once upon a time… Tora-san
This fictional character created by the filmmaker Yamada Yoji has left a deep impression on Japanese society. […][...]
No.90 [PLACE] Shibamata or the soul of the Tiger
The spirit of Tora-san is ever present in this district in the north-east of the capital where he lived. Otoko […][...]
No.89 [FOCUS] 1966: Beatlemania
29 June 1966. Akasaka police notice near the Beatles’ hotel asking Beatles fans not to gather and to go home. […][...]
No.89 [DESTINY] A part of the legend
Yokokura Kunie with the little flag she made for the Budokan concerts. At the age of 17 Yokokura Kunie was luc […][...]
No.88 [FOCUS] Rice – a treasure in peril
Rice dominates the landscape in the archipelago whatever the season. At the heart of Japanese culture, today t […][...]
No.88 [DESTINY] Rice sommelier Nishijima Toyozo
Nishijima Toyozo promotes rice as a way to avoid the decline of the country. Considered the country’s leading […][...]
No.87 [FOCUS] Discovering another Japan
The sea occupies a fundamental place in the culture of the country and is an essential part of the journey whe […][...]
No.87 [HERO] In search of Jirocho in Shimizu
The sight of Mount Fuji always has a magical, even mystical quality. An extraordinary historical figure, the f […][...]
No.87 [SCHOOL] Help for pupils with special needs
Kutsuna Tomohiko and Kazuko set up the Shiokaze no denwa to keep in touch with lost loved ones. Faced with a s […][...]
No.87 [BEACH] Heirs of the Sun Tribe
The cultivation of this flower took off in the Heian period (794-1185) after being imported from China. A majo […][...]
No.86 [FOCUS] The Great Wall of Japan
Workers at the dam construction site in Miyako, Iwate Prefecture. To avoid a recurrence of the 11 March 2011 t […][...]
We love anime!
In the space of a few decades, animation has become a mainstay in the world of Japanese pop culture. An essent […][...]
[HISTORY] Animation’s bond with television
The famous 34th episode of Tetsuwan Atom was produced by Studio Zero in 1963. To explain the reason behind our […][...]
[TREND] Watch your step
Based on her long experience, TAKEUCHI Yukari analyses the prospects for the animation industry. In the coming […][...]
[ECONOMY] Quality always pays
According to Francesco Prandoni from Production I.g, the studio’s success is due to its maintaining the highes […][...]
[TOP] Anatomy of an incredible success
Despite its childlike appearance, Demon Slayer has attracted a very large audience. By successfully dethroning […][...]
No.83 [FOCUS] Eternal spirit of pleasure
The erotic album of the Comical Cuckoo Clock or Sex Adoration of the Women of the Night (Ehon hakai yobuko-dor […][...]
No.83 [TREND] Sex, did you say sex ?
From the early 1990s, some men began to turn their back on flesh and blood women. Over the past three decades, […][...]
No.83 [ECONOMY] Business is business
The sex industry represents a huge market. Benefitting from loopholes in the law, there are countless speciali […][...]
No.83 [EVOLUTION] Soapland, an odd bath
Nikita, 28, takes a break between shifts at Soapland Paradise, in Kawasaki. Despite being banned, prostitution […][...]
No.83 [IN SITU] I’m Riri, a soapland employee
Aged 29, this university graduate has chosen to work in one of these establishments popular with men. It’s 11: […][...]
[ARCHITECTURE] In the centre of a perpetual building site
Symbol of the outrageous architecture of the 1980s, the Golden Flame designed by the Frenchman Philippe Stark […][...]
[FOCUS] His name was Mishima Yukio
Jimbocho district, Tokyo, famous for its second-hand bookshops where a rare items like this record cover can b […][...]
No.81 [FOCUS] A story of hiccups
The Japanese love beer, but it does not always share the same characteristics as beer drunk in Europe. […][...]
No.81 [MARKET] A heavy tax burden
Advertisement for Orion Brewery, originally established in Okinawa, which has 0.8% of the beer market. […][...]
No.81 [ENCOUNTER] Happiness in a glass
The microbrewery uses three brewing systems (60,10 and 2.5hectolitres respectively). Journalist Noda Ik […][...]
No.81 [ADVENTURE] Baird Beer, small but strong
The microbrewery uses three brewing systems (60,10 and 2.5hectolitres respectively). Founded in 2000, t […][...]
No.81 [AMBITION] Orion looks up to the stars
Founded in 1957 as the Okinawa Beer Co. Ltd., the brewery was renamed Orion in 1959. Although its stron […][...]
No.80 [PUBLISHING] In constant turmoil
Women played a key role in the development of the consumer society in Japan Thanks to women’s magazines […][...]
No.80 [PASSION] Words of an avid reader
Launched in 1966, Heibon Panchi Joseiban led the way for An An, and MIZUMOTO Akemi became a fan. MIZUMO […][...]
No.80 [DESIGN] Revolutionary at every stage
In its first issue, An An was notably able to feature a text by MISHIMA all about glamour. Both in term […][...]
No.80 [FOCUS] An An and the new Japan
Since its first appearance in 1970, An An has always reflected the development of Japanese women as they have […][...]
No.79 [TRADITION] Nagaoka sets the world on fire
Whatever the season, Nagaoka’s firework displays are always very impressive. The city’s firework displa […][...]
No.79 [TOURISM] Tsubame-Sanjo wants to believe it
Tourists can leave Sanjo with playing cards to collect and trade, which honour local artisans. Although […][...]
No.79 [FOCUS] The hidden side of Japan
Niigata, the largest city in the prefecture of the same name, is a gateway to the Sea of Japan and its immense […][...]
No.79 [DAILY PAPER] Close to its readers
To make young people aware of the importance of reading newspapers, Niigata Nippo has opened a museum on the p […][...]
No.78 [PAST] The 1964 Olympics were cracking
SUZUKI Shin’ichi was 31 years old at the time of the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games. As a privileged witness […][...]
No.78 [DISCOVERY] The adventure of Yakyu Shonen
Launched in 1947 by KATO Ken’ichi, Yakyu Shonen was the first magazine for young people dedicated to ba […][...]
No.78 [ENTHUSIASM] A good knock-on effect
Slam Dunk by INOUE Takehiko helped to promote basketball in Japan. Already avid readers of manga about […][...]
No.78 [TREND] Updating sports genres
Shakunetsu Kabadi by MUSASHINO Hajime is all about kabaddi, an Indian contact team sport. As time goes by and […][...]
No.78 [FOCUS] Sport and manga: a long love story
In Tokyo’s Suginami Animation Museum, you’ll find souvenirs of the Olympic Games with the series Atakku No. 1, […][...]
No.77 [DESTINY] In the footsteps of a tragic genius
The iron bridge (rikkyo) spanning the tracks of the Chuo Line, which Dazai Osamu liked to frequent, is still a […][...]
No.77 [FOCUS] Following the Chuo Line
With its characteristic orange-striped coaches, the line cuts through the capital’s centre in a westerly direc […][...]
No.77 [A MUST-SEE] Tokyo-Broadway
Something to suit all tastes and purses. A 5-minute train journey from Shinjuku, Nakano district has establish […][...]
No.77 [DISCOVERY] At the heart of pop culture
Mr KIZAWA runs Gojira-ya, a shop where fans of Godzilla and other mythical characters find what they are looki […][...]
No.77 [ENCOUNTER] Suginami delights
Greg Mudarri passionately defends his adopted neighbourhood. In charge of promoting the district, Greg Mudarri […][...]
No.76 [FOCUS] Once upon a time, wain…
Bottles of wine produced by Misawa Winery, Yamanashi Prefecture. For some years now, the Japanese have shown a […][...]
No.76 [TREND] An industry full of promise
It’s the younger producers who have been developing new cultivation techniques. Even though the amount produce […][...]
No.75 [FOCUS] No more bets!
There’s been a growing movement in South Korea over the past few months to boycott Japanese products./All Righ […][...]
No.75 [ANALYSIS] A never-ending quarrel
The Annexation Treaty formally placing Korea under Japanese rule was signed on 22 August 1910 by the pro-Japan […][...]
No.75 [HISTORY] Over a century of complexity
Since 1905, the port of Shimonoseki has been one of the main entry points for Koreans in search of a better li […][...]
No.75 [RESISTANCE] Culture without borders
Released on Japanese TV in 2000, Shiri paved the way for South Korean cinema in the Archipelago./All Rights Re […][...]
No.74 [FOCUS] A day in Katsushika…
“Beware Danger” is written on this sign targeted at the youngest inhabitants of this district where water is o […][...]
No.74 [MONUMENT] Tora-san, a Japanese hero
With its 50th film about to appear, Otoko wa tsurai yo is the longest series in cinema history. This mythical […][...]
No.74 [POP CULTURE] Ryo-san, olive and all the rest
Ryo-san in the foreground with his two sidekicks, heroes of the series Kochira Katsushika-ku Kameari Koen Mae […][...]
No.74 [DESTINY] Tsuge Tadao, stories from life
Tadao was very inspired by the red-light district of Tateishi. An extract from Garo no. 58, April 1969. In his […][...]
No.74 [PROMENADE] Encountering Tateishi
A traditional brush factory. Much of the district’s architecture from the 1950s and 60s has been preserved, ev […][...]
No73 [FUCUS] Senior consumers and new economic trends
Ginza district, Tokyo. The ageing of the Japanese population affects the way it behaves. japan’s rapidl […][...]
No73 [TREND] Old people, new stories
Cyborg Jiichan G published in 1989 by ObaTa Takeshi under the pseudonym KOBATAKE Ken. For some time now […][...]
No73 [TESTIMONY] New towns and old people
Symbols of Japan’s huge growth during the 1960s and ‘70s, danchi are occupied nowadays by elderly people who i […][...]
No.72 [FOCUS] Being Japanese in the 21st century
Omotesando district, Tokyo. From the very beginning, Japan and its inhabitants have inspired questions […][...]
No.72 [EXPERIENCE] Blending into the landscape
YAZAWA Yutaka’s book was published in U.K. (White Lion Publishing, £20). After a long period abroad, YA […][...]
No.72 [HOW TO] A matter of common sense
The Seibu Railway company published very nice posters to explain how to behave in the station. How shou […][...]
No.72 [IN SITU] Like a fish in water
It’s time to prepare dinner. Today’s menu is temaki-zushi. Yummy! It’s possible to experience several h […][...]
No.72 [PRACTICE] Choosing your nationality
some foreigners who have lived in the Archipelago for a long time have chosen to become Japanese nationals. In […][...]
No.71 [FOCUS] Japan, open up with care
The government wants to attract more foreign workers, but appears not to have chosen the best way to go about […][...]
No.71 [TREND] A minimum opening up
Many Japanese have discovered a growing number of foreigners working in their local convenience stores… […][...]
No.71 [DEBATE] A still badly-prepared country
A keen observer of immigration issues, MOcHIzuKI Hiroki challenges the authorities’ approach to the question. […][...]
No.71 [EXPERIENCE] Hinomaru’s gamble
This Tokyo taxi company has begun to recruit foreign drivers with a certain degree of success. It’s 07.30, and […][...]
No.70 [CULTURE] Otaku are everywhere
It’s taken 30 years for the otaku subculture to become established, both in Japan and the rest of the world. N […][...]
No.70 [INNOVATION] Galapagos syndrome
As a leader in technology, Japan has seen its position increasingly challenged during the past three decades. […][...]
No.70 [ENCOUNTER] A two-tiered society
According to YuAsAMakoto, Japan has been too slow taking into consideration the rise in poverty in the archipe […][...]
No.70 [FOCUS] Goodbye Heisei…
In a few days time, Japan will enter a new era. This presents an opportunity to look back over the last 30 yea […][...]
No.69 [FOCUS] Kumamoto, land of hope
The Kawaragawas settled in Mizukami after the Fukushima disaster and successfully embarked on indigo dyeing. & […][...]
No.68 [INTERVIEW] “I wanted to remain invisible”
Taken from “Numa” (The Swamp), which first appeared in issue no.18 of Garo (February 1966, pp.118-131). Someon […][...]
No.68 [EXPERIENCE] In the footsteps of the mangaka
Futomi, a fishing village in decilne, is one of the places that made an impression on the author of “Neji-shik […][...]
No.68 [ENCOUNTER] The tireless traveller
The first issue of Manga shugi (March 1967) was almost wholly devoted to Tsuge Yoshiharu. The work of T […][...]
No.68 [DESTINY] A good fairy called Asakawa
A great admirer of Tsuge Yoshiharu, Asakawa Mitsuhiro worked hard to ensure his work was finally published in […][...]
No.68 [FOCUS] Tsuge Yoshiharu’s japan
Taken from “Ri-san ikka” (The Family of Mr Lee), which first appeared in issue no. 34 of Garo (June 1967, pp. […][...]
No.67 [MUSIC] Rock’n’roll attitude
Yoshiki considers himself to be the spokesperson of Turtle Island rather than its leader. A good exampl […][...]