“Japanese Mind” by Davies and Ikeno (2011)

Davies and Ikeno (2011)’s book, “Japanese Mind,” presents a short introduction and discussion topics for each of the 28 topics that characterize Japaense society. The topics were originally selected by Japaense college students and their perspectives and understanding of these …

TV show on Japan: Prime Japan (Amazon Prime)

“Prime Japan” is a TV series by Jonathan Sherr who introduces different themes ranging from sushi, sake, Japanese sword and other traditional cultural elements, to design, fashion and other items of Japanese culture.

This show focuses on artistic visual presentation …

NHK World-Japan on-demand programs

NHK, the Japanese national broadcasting cooperation, offers a lot of TV shows and documentaries online (free). Most of the shows discuss different aspects of Japaense culture and life in Japan. All programs are dubbed in English.

You can download the …

Manga General Election in 2021

TV Asashi has surveyed over 150,000 Japanese to choose the best 100 manga in our generation. The original TV show (in Japanese) is still available on the TV Aashi’s YouTube channel.

漫画総選挙2021 (Seriously, 150,000 citizens voted! Manga General Election)

Here …

Japanology Plus: Food Samples

Another great episode about fake food samples (plastic food samples) in Japan. Plastic food samples are replica of a food item made from plastic, wax, resin or similar material. The food sample is designed to look more delicious than the …

KFC at Christmas in Japan

In Japan, it is a very popular family tradition to eat KFC together at Christmas. You see Colonel Sanders dressed as Santa on TV and on the street (all KFC stores have the life-size Colonel Sanders statue). It’s still true …

Being Black in Japan

Being Black in Japan. The Washington Post’s article on being Black or Biracial Japanese in Japan. Another major accomplishment that Naomi Osaka brought to the Japanese society, in which people started to discuss race, ethnicity and Japanese identity.…