Directors Cuts

DIRECTORS CUTS: KUROSAWA’S 7 BEST SAMURAI MOVIES

March 28, 2022 by Japan Informer

Several months back, I did a Directors Cuts column listing my seven favorite films by Akira Kurosawa that don’t have to do with samurai and (with one exception) don’t take place in the Edo Period. Enough time now has gone by that I think we can now talk about the films for which Kurosawa is most widely know, because he took that genre and made it something far more … [Read more...] about DIRECTORS CUTS: KUROSAWA’S 7 BEST SAMURAI MOVIES

10 Japanese Seafood Varieties That You Should Try At Least Once

Japan is famous for a lot of things, and seafood is definitely one of them. Surrounded by bountiful oceans in every direction, Japanese cuisine has brought forth amazing seafoodcreations, both modern and traditional. Sushi, while undoubtedly the famous one, is but one dish of many Japanese seafood specialties – but what exactly goes into these dishes? What do Japanese fishermen generally have in […]

Top 5 Japanese women throughout history 【Women in Japan Series】

Every nation has women who are remembered throughout history for the impact they had on their country. Today we present you with 10 Japanese women–game changers, if you will–who fundamentally altered the way the nation sees or experiences the world today. Most of these women have achieved fame abroad as well, another hallmark of success […]

Japanese Researchers Create Chopsticks That Simulate Taste Of Salt Without Using Salt

Japanese researchers have created chopsticks that enhance flavor and saltiness without needing to add salt. According to researchers, this can be highly beneficial to those on a diet low in sodium and provide a critical flavor. A small electrical current, almost insignificant, transfers sodium ions from food items to the mouth through the chopsticks to […]

Fairy tale heroine swimsuits from Japan will turn the beach into fantasyland this summer

As part of a fashion-conscious society that’s not averse to a splash of playful sexiness, Japanese swimsuit designers draw inspiration from a number of sources, such as Japanese school uniforms (both women’s and men’s), Shinto shrine maidens, and anime characters. But for its latest creations, Japanese fashion label M Kigyo (also known as Emu Project) is taking its cues from Western sources, with a trio of […]

postcards from a pictureperfect japan

In the 1870s, Western tourists flocked to Japan in vast numbers, eager to experience a country that had only recently opened up to visitors. During their stay these globetrotters purchased all manner of souvenirs, including photographic albums of traditional Japanese subjects and popular sites. Samurai, geisha, performers and street vendors featured prominently in these […]

Three tricky ways the Japanese entertainment industry keeps idol singers from dating

It’s widely known in Japan that idol singers are often contractually prohibited from engaging in romantic relationships. The reasoning goes that if word gets out that an idol singer has a boyfriend, her fans will feel betrayed that she isn’t solely devoted to her role as a musician and entertainer, and thus stop buying her […]

7 Tourists Arrive In Japan As A Test For Group Tours Before Japan Officially Opens In June

7 U.S. tourists arrived in Japan this Tuesday to test the small-scale guided tourist plan to begin reopening Japan for tourists in June. Six hailing from Hawaii and one from Los Angeles — landed at Narita airport in the city of Tokyo and will be participating in tours following the coronavirus anti-measures. The number of […]

Sapporo Man Tries To Rob Store Using Lighter

It is tough to get weapons in Japan, so armed robbers often resort to large kitchen knives to intimidate employees who are laundering money. Some of these people can’t seem to find one and must come up with their creative thought with “weapons,” such as scissors, nose hair clippers, or simply lighter. Tomoharu Nakamura, 41 […]

When And How Can You Watch Jujutsu Kaisen 0 Movie Online?

Jujutsu Kaisen’s anime series has undoubtedly gained a huge global fan base. Unfortunately, the movie hasn’t been released in many countries, so fans have been scouring the internet for the Jujutsu Kaisen 0. The craze has only grown since the movie surpassed the 1 billion Yen mark in its first week. The movie also increased […]

Japanese customs: a guide in brave new coronavirus world?

As the coronavirus pandemic rages unabated, nations around the world have started looking at each other to understand how they might impede the virus’ spread. Some experts say customs and social habits in Japan such as wearing face masks during seasonal flu outbreaks, bowing rather than handshaking, and removing shoes at home might play some […]