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13 (+1) anime films to watch
I had never been a fan of anime films — at least not until I visited Japan earlier this year. In Japan, the term anime refers to all forms of animated works, whether films or series, regardless of their country of origin. Outside Japan, however, it usually denotes Japanese animation specifically — and this is how I use the term in this post. Manga, on the other hand, refers to comics or graphic novels originating from Japan. Known for its colourful artwork, distinctive character designs, and wide range of themes and genres — from action-packed adventures and heartwarming romances to thought-provoking dramas and futuristic sci-fi — anime films have become one of Japan’s…
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6 Non-Japanese Films Set in Japan
In my previous post, I discussed ten Japanese films. This time, I turn my attention to six non-Japanese films set in Japan — some of which are based on Japanese novels . Each of these six non-Japanese films set in Japan offers a unique window into Japanese culture, landscapes, and atmosphere, as seen through the eyes of international filmmakers. Lost in Translation (2003) Written and directed by Sofia Coppola, Lost in Translation was inspired by her time in Tokyo, where she became fascinated by the city’s energy and quiet moments of alienation. Starring Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson, the film won Coppola an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay and was also…
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10 (+1) Japanese Films to Watch
One of the things I love most about autumn in England is the abundance of film festivals. The BFI London Film Festival runs from 8 to 19 October, and I’ve already watched A Pale View of Hills, based on the 1982 novel by Kazuo Ishiguro. Next up is the Leeds Film Festival (30 October to 16 November), followed by the London Korean Film Festival, which takes place from 5 to 18 November. It’s no secret that I’m a cinephile — and an unabashed fan of all things Japanese. Although I’ve shared film lists from other countries before (such as South Korea and France), I’ve never done one dedicated to Japanese…
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Naoshima: Japan’s island of art
Naoshima, a small island in Japan’s Seto Inland Sea (Kagawa Prefecture), is today synonymous with contemporary art and bold architecture. Once a quiet fishing community, it has been transformed into a cultural pilgrimage site, home to museums designed by Tadao Ando and outdoor works by world-renowned artists. Yayoi Kusama’s iconic polka-dotted pumpkins, set against sea and sky, have become its unofficial symbols—art and nature merging into one. A Day of Museum-Hopping in Naoshima I devoted a full day to exploring Naoshima’s museums, traveling mostly on foot between sites. Bicycles are a popular option, but note they aren’t permitted within parts of the Benesse Art Site, which can make them impractical…
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Japan trip: Kanazawa and Shirakawa-go
Earlier this year, I set off to Japan, a journey that took me to many remarkable places. Among them were Kanazawa, the elegant capital of Ishikawa Prefecture, and Shirakawa-go, a storybook village tucked away in the mountains of Gifu Prefecture. Kanazawa Kanazawa, perched on Japan’s central Honshu coast, is a city where history lingers in every corner. Known for its beautifully preserved Edo-period districts, exquisite traditional crafts, and one of the country’s most celebrated gardens, it offers visitors a glimpse into Japan’s cultural heart. Unlike many other Japanese cities, Kanazawa was spared from World War II bombings, a twist of fate that allowed its historic architecture and timeless charm to…
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Japan trip: Kurashiki and Himeji Castle
Earlier this year, I finally set foot in Japan, a country that has fascinated me for as long as I can remember. I spent three weeks exploring, visiting 12 of its 48 prefectures. In this post, I’ll share my experiences in Kurashiki in Okayama Prefecture and Himeji, home to the iconic Himeji Castle in Hyogo Prefecture. Kurashiki Kurashiki, a charming historic city near Okayama, the prefectural capital, is best known for its beautifully preserved Bikan Historical Quarter. White-walled, tile-roofed warehouses line a scenic canal, earning the city the nickname the “Venice of Japan.” Once a bustling centre for rice distribution during the Edo period, Kurashiki now blends traditional architecture with…
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Day trips from Tokyo: Kamakura and Fujikawaguchiko
Earlier this year, I visited Japan, a country that I’ve been fascinated with since I can remember. I arrived in Tokyo early on a Monday morning, having departed from London early on a Sunday morning. In fact, I stayed in the Japanese capital both at the start and the end of my trip. Whilst there, I visited quite a few temples and shrines, museums, restaurants and bars, and I also watched a kabuki performance. I also went on a couple of day trips from Tokyo. Day trips from Tokyo: Kamakura and Enoshima Kamakura Nowadays, Kamakura is a small, coastal city in Kanagawa Prefecture, about an hour away (by train) from Tokyo.…
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9 (+1) things to do and see in Kyoto
Kyoto, Japan’s former imperial capital for over a millennium (794–1868), is a beautifully preserved cultural centre, home to around 2,000 temples and shrines — including 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as Kinkaku‑ji, Kiyomizu‑dera and Nijo Castle — nestled within a meticulously maintained grid of streets and low-rise wooden architecture. Surrounded by forested hills, the city pulses with traditional arts like tea ceremony, flower arrangement and geisha performances in districts such as Gion. Kyoto’s seasonal beauty is legendary — from cherry-blossom-lined lanes and bamboo groves in spring to vibrant foliage in autumn — offering a timeless window into Japan’s refined aesthetic and “omotenashi” hospitality. In this post, I recommend activities,…
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Japan trip: Osaka, Nara, Himeji and Koyasan
Earlier this year, I finally visited Japan, a country I’ve been fascinated with for as long as I can remember. My first time in Japan was for 3 weeks, during which I visited 12 of the 48 prefectures. In this post, I’m going to share details on Osaka, as well as nearby Nara, Himeji and Koyasan. Osaka is known for its friendly locals and lively atmosphere. But Japan’s third-largest city, is also famous for its street food, particularly takoyaki and okonomiyaki, earning it the nickname “Japan’s kitchen”. In this post, I recommend places to eat and drink in Osaka, as well as landmarks. I also suggest day trips you can…
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First time in Japan: a 3-week itinerary
A dream has come true. Earlier this year, I finally visited Japan, a country that I’ve been fascinated with since I can remember. The land of the rising sun, a land of contrasts, which complement rather than contradict each other. Old and new, geishas in kimonos, elderly chefs preparing sushi, and, tradition and cutting edge technology, tea ceremonies and bullet trains, ichigo ichie and ikigai, Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines, the largest metropolis in the world and the Mount Fuji, gardens and cherry blossoms, Harajuku, Shinjuku and Shibuya. Add cuteness (see the ubiquitous maneki neko), delicious food, haiku poetry and the ever-so-popular literature to the mix, and you can see…