Japanese Culture

General

• Web Japan — Information about Japan, including culture, location of interest, society, history, and nature. Includes Nipponia, a quarterly web magazine that introduces topics of modern Japanese culture in English, and Japan Video Topics, highlighting various aspects of Japanese society.

Arts

• Kabuki Pavilion
• The Nishikawa School — The history of Odori (dance) goes back many centuries originating at the same time as Kabuki, Noh, and Kyogen. This school is the heart of Japanese dance serving more than 50,000 students.
• Kabuki for Everyone — Kabuki plays and dances may be about grand historical events or the everyday life of people in the Edo period (1600-1868). Take a quick view of traditional Kabuki world. Make up, Kabuki sounds, instruments and Kabuki related articles are your first step to all about Kabuki.
• Origami — Learn to put your hands on your own Origami with more than 300 beautiful diagram and folding directions provided. You can enjoy very creative and contemporary origami. Join Origami Talk and add your original, too!

Food and Drink

• Central Boeki — Central Boeki is a part of the Central trading Group which is a large multinational Exporter, Importer and Wholesaler of Japanese food products with offices in Tokyo, Hong Kong, New York, Vancouver, and Los Angeles. This site has general Japanese information discussion groups and FAQ. In English.
• Kyoei Konnyaku Inc. — This company specializes in the production of Konnyaku, Japanese traditional health food. This site includes recipes, publications, information on Konnyaku, and information on new food additives. In Japanese and English.
• Open Kitchen — Recipes, cooks, list of important cookbook authors, guest book, links to other Japanese cooking sites, and cooking theory. In Japanese and English.

Holidays and Celebrations

• Annual Events in Japan (PDF) — A calendar of annual events held in Japan. National holidays and regional festivals are listed in English. It is a good place to start your plan for a next trip or your search of interest in Japanese culture.

Museums

The following list takes you to some of the major museums in Japan. Each has different characteristics and types of collections. Explore and expand your knowledge of Japan through history, art and artifacts. Try to check the sites both in Japanese and in English. Their links will give you broader idea on Japanese art and history; they are linked to important museums in the US and in England, etc.

• Tokyo National Museum — Tokyo National Museum is consisting of 5 different exhibition galleries. One of which is a historically important building, Hyokeikan, built in honor of wedding of Taisho crown prince in early 20th century.
• Kyoto National Museum — Information on the events and exhibitions, the collection, readings, museum dictionary, links, and credits.
• National Museum of Art, Osaka — The National Museum of Art, Osaka was opened in 1977 with the primary aim of collecting, storing and displaying both Japanese and foreign contemporary art as well as conducting related research activities. By making use of the Expo Museum of Fine Arts, which had been built for Expo ’70, the museum facility continued to encourage development in Japanese contemporary art.
• Tokugawa Art Museum — This private museum in the city of Nagoya houses important national treasure from the twelfth century: The Illustrated Handscroll of The Tale of Genji. Other collections focus on the art of tea and Noh theater art. The magnificently high quality of art, culture and fashion are substantial to the collection founded on the Tokugawa shogun family related Owari local lord treasures.
• Hakone Open-Air Museum — Useful information of the sculpture garden with full of events. Unique onsen (hot springs) for your feet dipping for your relaxation is provided in the museum garden. Enjoy old time Japanese favorite Hakone’s nature as well.