William Copeland: The Brewmaster Who Started Kirin Beer in Japan
William Copeland was born Johan Martinius Thoresen in 1834 in Arendal, Norway. As a young man, he apprenticed under a German…
Jiro Ono: The Legendary Sushi Master Who Has Fed Obama and Bourdain
In a quiet corner of the Ginza subway station in Tokyo, there is an unassuming door bearing only a modest wooden…
Yasuke’s Incredible Path From Slave to Japan’s First Black Samurai
In the 16th century, a young African man was captured and sold into slavery, embarking on an extraordinary journey that would…
16-Year-Old Wins Top UK Animation Award for Futuristic Japanese Street Food Film
16-year-old Euan Garbut from Glasgow won the Young Animator of the Year UK 2023 award in the 3D animation category for…
The Curious Tale of Ranald MacDonald, Japan’s First English Teacher
In 1848, a 24-year-old man named Ranald MacDonald arrived on the shores of northern Japan after convincing the captain of a…
The Man Who Lost $204 Million In Vegas
The clickity-clack of the roulette wheel was music to Terry Watanabe’s ears. He watched intently as the dealer spun the wheel…
Steven Tyler and Naruto Taiyaki Honpo Team Up For a Treat You Need to Try
Japanese fish-shaped cakes have hooked the legends of rock and roll. Aerosmith is collaborating with nationwide bakery chain Naruto Taiyaki Honpo…
Jouhatsu: Japan’s ‘Evaporated People’
In Japan, tens of thousands of people intentionally disappear every year. They are known as “jouhatsu” or “evaporated people”. These individuals…
Osamu Tezuka: Original Father of Japanese Anime Pioneered the Mesmerizing Big Eyes
In Japan, Osamu Tezuka is revered as “the God of Manga” for pioneering the country’s now-booming animation industry. He is often…
Trailblazing the Tsukiji Tradition: Meet LA’s First Black Graduate from Tokyo Sushi Academy
Meet Reijirō Kashida, a sushi chef with a flair for traditional Japanese cuisine and a story that’s as unique as his…
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