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If you can get to the 2025 Expo Osaka-Kansai between Wednesday 30th, April to Friday 2nd May 2025 you'll want to check out the Cool Japan Sh...
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Yomu in Japan: Cultural Festival Edition
All right, I’ve been dragging my feet a bit in regards to writing this post. It’s actually been a little over a month now, as the cultural festival…
Anime IRL | Explore Kyoto through Fruits Basket
One of my favourite things to do while watching anime is look out for scenic spots featured that are often real life places. Season 2 episode 17 of…


Winter 2025 Anime Week 2: Experiencing Japan Through Anime
January 18th, 2025 Nearly a decade ago, I got into anime for the same reason that most people do – cool action and pretty moving pictures. Little did…
Hyper Japan Festival 2025 Details
The good folks from Japanese Cultural Festival Hyper Japan have just sent us details for their next London event. They'll be running from Fr...


Japanese Films at Cannes Film Festival 2025
A preview of the Japanese and Korean films at the Cannes Film Festival 2025, which runs from May 13 to the 24


The World’s Longest Sushi Train at Osaka Expo 2025
Kura Sushi’s 135-meter sushi train at Osaka Expo 2025 features dishes from 70 countries, AI tech and a sustainable dining experience.
Japan Tourism Continues to Boom
Japan continues to be a popular choice for foreign tourists to visit in 2024 according to statistics issued by the Japanese National Touris...


Anime tourism grows as visitors return to Japan
Plus: Experimenting with NFTs in manga businesses; Saudi media group invests in anime production committees; Contracts in anime voice acting; and more


Anime tourism grows as visitors return to Japan
Plus: Experimenting with NFTs in the manga businesses; Saudi media group invests in anime production committees; Contracts in anime voice acting; and more


Anime tourism grows as visitors return to Japan
Plus: Experimenting with NFTs in manga businesses; Saudi media group invests in anime production committees; Contracts in anime voice acting; and more


Japan Cuts 2018 Film Festival at the Japan Society
This past few weeks I volunteered for the Japan Society Film Department’s annual Japan Cuts film festival, which screens a host of new Japanese blockbusters, avant-garde films, and…


Japanese Films at the Berlin International Film Festival 2025
A Preview of the Japanese Films at the Berlin International Film Festival 2025 (February 13-23)


Japanese Films at the Rotterdam International Film Festival 2025
A Preview of the Japanese Films Programmed for the International Film Festival Rotterdam 2024


Tomino Yoshiyuki Q&A at Japan Expo 2019, July 6
Summary of the Q&A and event with Tomino Yoshiyuki on the third day of Japan Expo 2019.


Tomino Yoshiyuki Q&A at Japan Expo 2019, July 6
Summary of the Q&A and event with Tomino Yoshiyuki on the third day of Japan Expo 2019.


Virtual Tourism With Anime
By: Peggy Sue Wood | @pswediting At some point later this year I will likely be presenting on this topic at a local convention, and–as such– I’ve decided…
Slow Loop – Episode 10 – Cultural Festival Filled with Fish
Episode impressions of Slow Loop Episode 10 as the cultural festival is finally here, and Hiyori’s class decides on a class activity. Of course, it involves fishing and…


5 Cultural Activities to Try in Japan
Learn more about Japanese culture by trying out any of these traditional workshops.


JOJO’S BIZARRE ADVENTURE WORLD at Anime Expo 2024
JOJO’S BIZARRE ADVENTURE WORLD is returning to the United States again in July for 4 days. This time it is at Los Angeles in Anime Expo 2024.


Summer Missions: Join Jesus Otaku at Anime Expo!
For many of us who attend church, summer is almost synonymous with missions. Short-term opportunities are led by churches and other organizations to help meet the needs of…


A Saturday at Anime Washington 2025 (February 8th, 2025)
A Unique Before the Con Experience Anime Washington has become quite a unique experience for me in a few ways. The first one is that it is officially…


Convention Tales #34: Anime Fiesta Winter Festival 2025
Anime Fiesta’s summer edition in July 2024 became one of the surprising hit events that I attended. With the dense hallways, diverse range of character cosplay appearances, and…


Japan (Finally!) Announces It’s Fully Open for Tourism
Japan is finally open for tourists again! Details on what's been changed - and when you can start packing your bags.


Can Japan Grow Tourism As Its Population Ages?
With 40% of its municipalities in danger of disappearing, some experts say Japan needs to focus on appealing to the right type of tourist.


Tourism to Japan Soars, Exceeds Pre-Pandemic Levels
Japan is setting records for the number of tourists visiting - and it's doing this despite record low turnout from China.


How Sakura Blossoms Gained Cultural Significance in Japan
The sakura (cherry blossom) is practically synonymous with Japan. Here's a deeper look at the history of this fascinating flower's popularity


Podcast 5.1 – J-Novel Club Announcements at Anime Expo
Hello Listeners! On this episode, we’re going over all the major announcements J-Novel Club made at Anime Expo on July 5, 2018. They announced eight new light novel…


Podcast 5.1 – J-Novel Club Announcements at Anime Expo
Hello Listeners! On this episode, we’re going over all the major announcements J-Novel Club made at Anime Expo on July 5, 2018. They announced eight new light novel…


NEWS: Kodansha Announces New Spring Licenses at Anime Expo
My favorite part about convention season is all the anime and manga announcements that come our way! Anime Expo is…


Podcast 5.1 – J-Novel Club Announcements at Anime Expo
Hello Listeners! On this episode, we’re going over all the major announcements J-Novel Club made at Anime Expo on July 5, 2018. They announced eight new light novel…
Podcast 5.1 – J-Novel Club Announcements at Anime Expo
Hello Listeners! On this episode, we’re going over all the major announcements J-Novel Club made at Anime Expo on July 5, 2018. They announced eight new light novel…


Taketomi & Tourism
Gradually moving through my old drafts. This one is from just about a year ago, August 2023. Getting off the ferry at Taketomi. Arriving on Taketomi Island and…


Make Believe Bonus: Hololive Super Expo 2025
Screaming Screaming Screaming
Anime Nano Podcast: One Time, At Band Festival…
So here’s what happened this week. Apparently, jpmeyer and Hinano’s schedules were mutually exclusive to mine. Today, jpmeyer is having some kind of birthday party. Yesterday, I was…


As Tourism Abounds in Japan, So Do Unlicensed Taxis
With tourism booming in Japan, people are finding it tough to get around - and unlicensed taxi services are filling the gap.


Cultural Realm
Welcome to the Cultural Realm! 🌏✨ I’m thrilled to introduce a new series here on my blog, Cultural Realm, where we’ll explore the rich and fascinating traditions, stories,…


What Osaka World Expo 2025 Has to Offer for Anime Fans
The Osaka World Expo 2025 kicked off earlier this month, promising to show "Designing Future Society for Our Lives," but what about our otaku lives?
OtakuGeneration (Show #508) Japan Animation Expo
Shownotes :: (show 508) :: (website) :: (podcast feed) :: (direct download) :: (direct iTunes link) With Japan Animation Expo, recorded live February 28th, 2015. This week we…
Chronicles of the Going Home Club, Gurren Lagann, Place to Place, Sankarea, Space Dandy


“Kaleidoscopic Animation – An encounter with Yukio Takatsu” Panel at Paris Japan Expo 2022
Panel held at Paris Japan Expo 2022 about the career of director, animation director and animator Yukio Takatsu.
Naruto, Nisemonogatari, Detective Opera Milky Holmes, March Comes in Like a Lion


Cosmic Spectrum Talks With Anime Herald at Lightbox Expo 2022
Anime Herald: What is your origin story as an artist? Cosmic Spectrum: Oh, that’s a tough question. I’ve always wanted to be an artist, so there isn’t


Interviews with Artists: Shawn E. Russell at Anime Expo 2023
Anime Herald: Please introduce yourself. Shawn E. Russell: Hi. I’m Shawn E. Russell. I'm an illustrator specializing in pencil work depicting highly


BAIT Unveils Yu-Gi-Oh! KOKIES Figures at Anime Expo
West Coast concept retailer BAIT launched its first Yu-Gi-Oh! KOKIES figures this holiday weekend at Anime Expo. KOKIES figures are a line of vinyl collectibles that are made…


Anime Expo Announcement!
If you are interest in seeing Peggy (me) speak at AX, you can come see me at these panels: Panel Title: “Keynote: Researching Anime – An Introduction to Anime…
Anime Expo Announcement!
If you are interest in seeing Peggy (me) speak at AX, you can come see me at these panels: Panel Title: “Keynote: Researching Anime – An Introduction to…


Anime Expo 2011
I will be there tomorrow, and I expect to see you there.
Anime Expo 2014
So this past weekend has been spent on my yearly Anime Expo trip, and I could definitely say it was a largely enjoyable experience. Truth be told, I…
Gatchaman, Gatchaman Crowds, K: Missing Kings, Kill la Kill, Blue Exorcist


How to Buy Tickets for Osaka Expo 2025
The Osaka-Kansai Expo 2025 is set to be one of the biggest international events in Japan. Here is how to buy tickets for the Osaka-Kansai Expo 2025.


Bocchi the Rock – Episode 10 – The Cultural Festival Dilemma and Kikuri’s Band
Episode impressions of Bocchi the Rock Episode 10 as hints of a poster asking for performances at the cultural festival, will Hitori take the offer? Unfortunately, the answer…


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Good news for those spooked by overtourism headlines: a clear majority in Japan say they approve of the influx of visitors.


Hyper Japan Festival, London 2022
For three days in late July, Battersea Park in London England was taken over by Japan. I’m talking about the Hyper Japan Festival, of course! Going strong since…