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TJ

Thursday, 26 January 2017 19:58

Design Festa

Design Festa

There is more to Design Festa than Meets the Eye

The International Art Event Design Festa, known as Design Festa, is a large biannual convention focusing on art, performance, fashion and music. Tokyo Journal discussed the event with Design Festa’s overseas public relations coordinator, Sarah Feinerman.

Thursday, 26 January 2017 19:18

DRUM TAO's Drum Art

DRUM TAO's Drum Art

Combining the Japanese art of taiko drumming with contemporary costumes and choreography

DRUM TAO has entertained over 7 million people in 500 cities in 23 countries, performing at 120 locations around Japan every year. The wadaiko (Japanese drum) troupe combines the artistic visual elements of a Cirque du Soleil show with the dynamic energy of a rock concert performed with traditional Japanese instruments. The group reflects Japanese tradition through music and dance, while incorporating Maori, Korean and Indonesian influences, and mixing traditional Japanese songs with modern compositions created by members of the troupe. In addition to taiko drums, TAO uses other instruments including the shinobue (Japanese flute), bamboo marimba, gongs and the koto (horizontal harp).

Wednesday, 18 January 2017 18:18

Tokyo Journal's Top 10 Rankings 2016 Final

Tokyo Journal's 2016 Polling Results

TJRankingsResults2016.jpg








What are your favorite things about Japan and Japanese culture?

You vote. You decide!

 

 

 

In April of 2016 Tokyo Journal announced the first ever Top 10 Ranking for the reader's favorite Japanese entertainment icons, food, pop-culture, and travel locations. Over the course of 2016 we asked Tokyo Journal readers to vote for their favorite things in Japanese entertainment, food, pop-culture, and travel locations. This first year proved to be successful with over 500,000 votes submitted by readers from all over the world. Here are the top 3 winners for each category and stay tuned for the 2017 rankings.

Categories

 

Japanese Entertainmant / Food in Japan / Japanese Pop Culture / Japan Travel

 

Japanese Entertainment

Japanese TV & Dramas

Best J-Drama Actress

 

1. Satomi Ishihara

2. Akari Hayami

3. Haruka Ayase

 

Best J-Drama from 2015-2016

 

1. Flowers for Algermon

2. Mysterious Thief Yamaneko

3. From Five to Nine

 

Best J-Drama Actor

 

1. Tomohisa Yamashita

2. Takuya Kimura

3. Kazuya Kamenashi

 

Best J-Drama of All Time

 

1. Nobuta wo Produce (2005)

2. Long Vacation (1996)

3. Hana Yori Dango (2005)

 

Best Variety Show

 

1. Smap x Smap

2. Momoclo Chan

3. Shabekuri 007

 

 

 

Japanese Movies

Best Horror Movie

 

1. Ring

2. Ju-On

3. Sadako 3D

 

Best Japanese Movie

 

1. Battle Royale (2000)

2. Seven Samurai (1954)

3. Godzilla (1954)

 

Best Japanese Movie Actor/Actress Worldwide

 

1. Ken Watanabe

2. Takuya Kimura

3. Takeshi Kitano

 

Best Japanese Film Director of All Time

 

1. Hayao Miyazaki

2. Akira Kurosawa

3. Takeshi Miike

 

Best Akira Kurosawa Film of All Time

 

1. Seven Samurai

2. High and Low

3. Hidden Fortress

 

 

 

Japanese Music

Best J-Rock Band

 

1. X Japan

2. The GazettE

3. Babymetal

 

Best Japanese Female idol Group

 

1. Momoiro Clover Z

2. Morning Musume

3. *C-ute

 

Best Japanese Female Singer

 

1. Miwa

2. Yui

3. Ayumi Hamasaki

 

Best Male idol Group

 

1. SMAP

2. KAT-TUN

3. ARASHI

 

Best Japanese Male Singer

 

1. Tomohisa Yamashita

2. Gackt

3. Jin Akanishi

 

 

 

Japanese Sports

Best Favorite Japanese Male Athlete

 

1. Yuzuru Hanyu (Figure Skater)

2. Kei Nishikori

3. Kohei Uchimura

 

Best Favorite Japanese Female Athlete

 

1. Mao Asada (Figure Skater)

2. Ai Fukuhara

3. Saori Yoshida

 

Go back to the Category

 

 

Food in Japan

Japanese Food

Best Street Food

 

1. Ramen

2. Takoyaki

3. Yakitori

 

Best Favorite Sushi

 

1. Salmon

2. Toro (Fatty Tuna)

3. Tuna

 

Best Japanese Sake

 

1. Dassai

2. Kubota

3. Hakkaisan

 

 

 

Restaurant in Japan

Best Theme Restaurant

 

1. Kawaii Monster Cafe

2. Robot restaurant

3. Maidreamin Cafe

 

Best Japanese Fast Food

 

1. Mos Burger

2. Yoshinoya

3. Pepper Lunch

 

Best Kobe Beef Restaurant

 

1. Ishida

2. Houki

3. Wakkoqu

 

Best French Restaurant in Tokyo

 

1. Les Cristallines

2. Troisgros Japon

3. Joel Robuchon

 

Best Italian Restairant in Tokyo

 

1. Pizzeria Da Napolistaca

2. Elio Locanada Italiana

3. Bulgari ll Ristorante

 

Best U.S. Restaurant

 

1. Outback Steakhouse

2. Hard Rock cafe

3. Denny's

 

Best Izakaya (Japanese Pub)

 

1. Hibiki

2. Gonpachi

3. Nihonbashi-tei

 

Best Mexican Restaurant

 

1. Fonda de la Madrugada

2. La Jolla

3. El Caliente

 

Best Curry Rice Restaurant

 

1. CoCo Ichibanya

2. Manten Curry Rice

3. Curry House TIRI TIRI

 

Best Tonkatsu Restaurant

 

1. Wako

2. Maisen

3. Katsuzen

 

Best Craft Brewery

 

1. Miyashita Sake Brewery

2. Baird Brewery Company

3. Abashiri Brewery

 

Best Asian Restaurant in Tokyo

 

1. Asian Palm

2. Monsoon Cafe

3. Mango Tree

 

Best Kaiseki Restaurant (Japanese Traditional Multi-Course Dinner)

 

1. Gion Karyo, Kyoto

2. Nakamura, Kyoto

3. Ogata, Kyoto

 

Best Tempura Restaurant in Tokyo

 

1. Tempura Kondo

2. Ten-ichi Ginza Honten

3. Tempura Motoyoshi

 

Best Sushi Restaurant

 

1. Sukiyabashi Jiro

2. Sushi no Midori

3. Sushi Dai

 

Best Tonkotsu Ramen Restaurant in Tokyo

 

1. Ichiran

2. Shibaraku

3. Botan

 

 

 

Japanese Sweets

Best Sweets

 

1. Melon Pan

2. Crepes

3. Taiyaki

 

Best Wagashi Shop

 

1. Higashiya Ginza

2. Tokyo Mise

3. Toraya Tokyo

 

Best Bakery & Dessert Shop

 

1. Sweets Paradise

2. Rose Bakery

3. Ice Monster Omotesando

 

Best Chocolate Snack

 

1. Pocky

2. Choco Pie

3. ALMOND

 

 

Go back to the Category

 

Japanese Pop Culture

Japanese Anime & Manga

Best Shonen Manga

 

1. One Piece

2. Fairy Tail

3. Full Metal Alchemist

 

Best Shojo Manga

 

1. Akatsuki no Yona

2. Kimi ni Todoke

3. Orange

 

Best Kawaii Cartoon Character

 

1. Pika-chu

2. Totoro

3. Rilakkuma

 

Best Studio Ghibli Movie

 

1. Howl's Moving Castle

2. Spirited Away

3. My Neighbor Totoro

 

Best Anime 2012-2016

 

1. Attack on Titan

2. One-Punch Man

3. Tokyo Ghoul

 

Best Animated Movie

 

1. Wolf Children

2. Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children

3. The Girl Who Leapt Though Time

 

Best Anime of All Time

 

1. Dragon Ball Z

2. One Piece

3. Death Note

 

Best Gotochi Character (Regional Mascot Character)

 

1. Kumamon

2. Funassyi

3. Gunma-chan

 

 

 

Cosplay

Best Famous Cosplayer 2016

 

1. Touga

2. Reika

3. Linda Le(Vampy Bit Me)

 

 

 

Japanese Fashion

Best Harajuku Fashion

 

1. Galaxxxy

2. Angelic Pretty

3. 6% Doki Doki

 

Best Women's Fashion Brand

 

1. Cecil McBee

2. Olive des Olive

3. Freak's Store

 

Best Japanese Fashion Brand

 

1. Comme Des Garcons

2. Junko Koshino

3. Kenzo

 

Best Female Model

 

1. Kiko Mizuhara

2. Mirei Kiritani

3. Rola

 

 

 

Japanese Video Games

Best J-RPG of All Time

 

1. Final Fantasy VII

2. Kingdom Hearts 2

3. Persona 4

 

 

Go back to the Category

 

Japan Travel

Japanese Destinations

Best Theme Park

 

1. Tokyo Disneyland

2. Universal Studios Japan

3. Tokyo Disneysea

 

Best "Day Trip" from Tokyo

 

1. Yokohama

2. Kamakura

3. Mt. Fuji

 

Best Vacation Spot

 

1. Kyoto

2. Ishigaki Island

3. Nara

 

Best Famous Landmark in Tokyo

 

1. Tokyo Tower

2. Shibuya Crossing / Hachiko Statue

3. Tokyo Skytree

 

Best Distinctive Building

 

1. Tokyo Station

2. Nakagin Capsule Tower

3. Omotesando Hills

 

Best Area for Hot Spring

 

1. Hakone Onsen

2. Kurokawa Onsen

3. Beppu Onsen

 

Best Ryokan (Traditional Japanese Hotel)

 

1. Takinoya

2. Shuhokaku Kogetsu

3. Hotel Hanayura

 

Best Ski Resort

 

1. Niseko Grand Hirafu

2. Fujiten Snow Resort

3. Hakuba Happo One Ski Resort

 

Best Japanese Architect

 

1. Tadao Ando

2. Kenzo Tange

3. Kisho Kurosawa

 

Best Place to Visit in Tokyo

 

1. Harajuku

2. Asakusa Temple

3. Odaiba

 

Best International School

 

1. Tokyo International School

2. The American School in Japan

3. Yokohama International School

 

Best Language School

 

1. Sendagaya Japanese Institute

2. Akamonkai

3. Coto Language Academy

 

 

 

Japanese Hotels

Best Five Ster Hotel in Tokyo

 

1. Park Hyatt Tokyo

2. Palace Hotel Tokyo

3. Imperial Hotel Tokyo

 

Best Hotel for Young Travelers

 

1. Kyoto Guesthouse Roujiya

2. Nui. Hotel & Bar Lounge

3. Hostel Haruya Aqua, Kyoto

 

 

 

Japanese Leisure & Recreation

Best Place to Karaoke

 

1. Shidax

2. Big Echo

3. Karaoke-kan

 

Best Game Center

 

1. Club SEGA

2. SEGA GiGO

3. Shinjuku Playland Carnival

 

Best Japanese Festival

 

1. Sapporo Snow Festival

2. Awa Odori Tokushima

3. Gion Matsuri

 

Best Fireworks Show

 

1. Tokyo Bay Fireworks

2. Sumidagawa Fireworks

3. Edogawa Fireworks

 

Best Department Store

 

1. Mitsukoshi

2. Matsuya Ginza

3. Isetan

 

Best Shopping Complex/Mall

 

1. Shibuya 109

2. Roppongi Hills

3. Omotesando Hills

 

Best Art Museum

 

1. National Museum Tokyo

2. Japan Ukiyo-e Museum

3. National Art Center

 

Best History & Science Museum

 

1. Tokyo National Museum

2. Edo Tokyo Museum

3. Samurai Museum

 

Best Special Interest Museum

 

1. Ghibli Museum

2. Cupnoodle Museum

3. Sapporo Beer Museum

 

 

Go back to the Category

Friday, 13 January 2017 21:43

Tokyo Journal's Top 10 Rankings 2016

Tokyo Journal's 2016 Polling Results

What are your favorite things about Japan and Japanese culture?

You vote. You decide!

 

ENTERTAINMENT
POP CULTURE
FOOD
TRAVEL

 

 

 

In April of 2016 Tokyo Journal announced the first ever Top 10 Ranking for the reader's favorite Japanese entertainment icons, food, pop-culture, and travel locations. Over the course of 2016 we have asked Tokyo Journal readers to vote for their favorite Japaneseentertainment icons, food, pop-culture, and travel locations. This first year proved to be successful with over 500,000 votes submitted by readersfrom all over the world. Here are the top 3 winners for each category and stay turned for the 2017 rankings.

Spanning across Japanese entertainment, food, pop-culture, and travel locations.

Thursday, 22 September 2016 00:20

Volume 36. Issue #278

Contents


Please click here for PDF file of actual Table of Contents 

   
1. Tokyo Street Editorial
Inside this issue
24. Kōhaku
The coolest music competition in the world
   
2. Designs Inspired by Vessels (二ヵ国語)
Junko Koshino’s fashion
25. Join the Night Shift
L.A.’s Citrus College students go pro
   
3. Harajuku Fashion Walk
Kawaii style on parade
26. The Ramones
Bob Gruen’s photo flashback
   
4. Streetstyle Glamour
Fashionistas that are streets ahead
27. The Shut In
Donald Richie on Somerset Maugham
   
5. Actress Charlotte Kate Fox
The American dream in Japan
28. Through the Eyes of Yankelovich
Challenging the economist worldview
   
6. Actress Sumire Matsubara
Returning to her Japanese roots
29. Corporate Governance Code in Japan
A Japan Revitalization Strategy measure
   
7. Ain't No Mountain High Enough
Japan's youngest conquers Everest
30. Japan America Society of Southern California
President Douglas Erber on SoCal’s bridge to Japan
   
8. His Holiness the Dalai Lama
80th birthday celebration in California
31. David Nunan’s Global Classroom
Education & the virtual classroom
   
9. George Foreman on Muhammad Ali
From fighting to peace and compassion
Japan’s Minister of Education
32. The Chaotic Contrasts of Kathmandu
Nepal’s contemporary third-world landscape
   
10. Nobel Prize Laureate Takaaki Kajita
Resolving the neutrino puzzle
33. Heroes of the Himalayas
The Sherpa: mountaineering and trekking guides
   
11. CNN News Anchor Don Lemon
Breaking the news to the world
34. Mari’s Homemade Cooking Recipes
Miso-marinated pork
   
12. The Beach Boys
Mike Love still having Fun, Fun, Fun
35. Sake & Wine Cultures in Japan
Genealogical differences between sake and wine
   
13. The Harlem Globetrotters
Basketball ambassadors celebrating 50 years
36. Chef Ben Ford
Reviving diversity in the Republic of Georgia/td>
   
14. US Sumo Open
Largest sumo event outside Japan
37. Whole-Wheat Spaghetti with Edamame Pesto
Super healthy, quick and tasty pasta recipe
   
15. DRUM TAO's Drum Art
Taiko drumming with a visual bang
38. Travel to Hokkaido
Japan’s untamed wilderness is a tourist treat
   
16. Design Festa
Art, performance, fashion and music bonanza
39. Taking the Higher Road (二ヵ国語)
Photographer Hiroyuki Suzuki’s visual poetry
   
17. Virtually Falling in Love
Voltage Inc.’s Japanese romance apps
40. Destined Encounter of Enishi
The meaning of encounters in Japan
   
18. Cheeky Parade
Up-and-coming Japanese idol group
41. Samurai Spirit
Samurai choreographer talks about virtue in Japan
   
19. The Ambassadress of Cute
Japan’s cute fashion rep Kimura U
42. Sightseeing and People Watching in Japan
Tokyo’s top people-watching spots for tourists
   
20. Cosplay as a Career
Professional cosplayer Nekomu Otogi
43. Garrity’s Japan
Japanese conformity
   
21. All-4-One
The Dukes of R&B for 20 years
44. Haitian Culture
Various styles of Haitian art
   
22. DIR EN GREY
Two decades of pushing musical boundaries
45. Parenting with Lorraine
Living vicariously through your children
   
23. Loudness
Japan’s heavy metal pioneers thunder on
46. Lifestyles
Expat life
   
  47. Yoga Lifestyle
Minds and machines
   

Order Issue #278 from Amazon.com

 

 
Saturday, 16 July 2016 15:17

Fireworks in Kansai

Fireworks in Kansai

Check out the amazing fireworks festivals in the Kansai region this summer!
          

Saturday, 16 July 2016 14:19

Fireworks in Tokyo

Fireworks in Tokyo

Be sure to check out one of the many amazing fireworks festivals in Tokyo this summer!
          

Monday, 16 May 2016 12:24

Top 10 Japanese Sports Rankings

 

What are the best Japanese sports?
You vote. You decide!

 

 

Click here to continue voting

Saturday, 16 April 2016 00:00

Top 10 Japanese Sweets Rankings

 

What are the best sweets in Japan?
You vote. You decide!

 






 

Click here to continue voting

Saturday, 16 April 2016 00:00

Top 10 Leisure & Recreation Spots rankings

 

What are the best leisure & recreation things to do in Japan?
You vote. You decide!

 








 

 

Click here to continue voting

EDITORIAL STAFF

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