This week, I caught up with Zia Rahim of Japan Nakama to talk about the Japan Nakama app, London’s Japanese community and all things Japan! First things first, please introduce yourself. Well, I’m Zia Rahim, the founder (CEO) of Japan Nakama, but originally people know me as a rebel or a person who doesn’t like … Continue reading
Explosive energy and thunderous beats – the YAMATO drummers of Japan are coming back to the UK! The YAMATO drummers are famous worldwide for their powerful taiko drum performances. The traditional taiko drum, used in Shinto rituals, is pushed to the limit as the drummers use their entire bodies to create breathtaking performances. Yamato – Chousensha – The … Continue reading
Kiki’s Delivery Service, which most people reading this blog will know from the wonderful Studio Ghibli film, is coming to London! From 8 December – 8 January 2017, this wonderful story will be on stage at Southwark Playhouse, and I for one can’t wait to see it. If you haven’t already, you can buy your … Continue reading
When I think of Japanese fashion, I immediately think of the beautiful traditional kimono design. But a trip to Tokyo and many other Japanese cities will quickly make you realise that contemporary, particularly women’s, fashion is a thriving industry. One particularly successful brand is kay me, which has just launched in the UK – and … Continue reading
A lot of bloggers or writers will have a certain kind of music on in the background while they work to inspire them. I personally find piano the music the best kind of writing music, so I was interested to learn that Japanese pianist Ayako Fujiki will shortly be releasing her first album – ‘brightwater’ – in the UK. … Continue reading
Another very interesting person I was lucky enough to meet and interview – thanks to the lovely people at NHK World – was J-pop (Japanese pop) singer-songwriter, TV host, and Japanese voice of Disney’s Frozen film, May J. Let’s get straight on to the interview, shall we? First question is nice and easy – can … Continue reading
Last week I reviewed Sushi and Beyond: What the Japanese know about cooking, and I was lucky enough to speak to the author himself at HYPER JAPAN back in July. So, it’s a bit overdue but here’s my interview with Michael Booth! First question – tell me a bit about yourself. I’m a journalist and food … Continue reading
Carrying on with our #NaNoWriMo theme this month, it’s time for an author interview! Earlier this week I reviewed ‘The Haiku Murder’, the second novel in the Josie Clark in Japan series by Fran Pickering, and now it’s time for an interview with the lovely lady herself. ‘The Cherry Blossom Murder’, ‘The Haiku Murder’ and … Continue reading
Do you like all things anime? Well, you’re in luck. A few months ago, four geeky girls got together and started recording The Anime UK Show. I’ve been listening to the show for a few weeks now (it’s perfect for listening to on long train journeys or pottering around the house) so posed some questions … Continue reading
Assuming you’ve not been shying away from any form of news in the past month, you probably heard that a skeleton was recently found in a Leicester car park and DNA tests have finally proved that it is that of English king Richard III. To celebrate this finding, a temporary exhibition has opened celebrating the … Continue reading
