- Tokyo Steampunk, Hayao Miyazaki's NI-TELE ...
- Top 6 'Giant Robots' Japanese Attractions
- Ema and Lucky Star - From Shinto tradition...
The term Steampunk was coined in April 1987 by the American writer Kevin Wayne Jeter, in a letter to the Locus magazine. Defined as a sub-genre of science fiction, alternate history and speculative fiction, steampunk is characterized by worlds using ... »
Read more » 153 comments 
The "robot anime" (ロボット, robotto) (known outside Japan as mecha anime) is a Japanese animation genre featuring walking robots (called mecha), usually bipedal, with arms and hands able to use objects and usually ... »
Read more » 91 comments 
In the old times in Japan, it was a custom for wealthy families to donate horses to shrines, as part of the invocations and a sign of respect for kami. In time, this practice changed, first the donations became horse statues and finally changed ... »
Read more » 73 comments 21 Apr 2013: History and Anime, remembering the Shinsengumi at Mibu-dera, Kyoto
Ema are wooden votive plaques used at Shinto shrines and at some temples: the wishes are written directly on the ema, which is then hung on a special rack, to be "read" by the gods. I love to collect ... »
35 comments 17 Feb 2013: The Bridge from the Rurouni Kenshin movie
The merchant neighborhood from Kurashiki, Okayama, known as the Bikan Historical Quarter, is one of the places in Japan where time seems to have stopped, the whole area still looking like at the end ... »
48 comments 23 Jan 2013: Kameari Koban, a police box for manga fans
There are over 6000 kōban all over Japan and some of them are really famous. There are such police boxes with real historical value, like the oldest kōban from Tokyo, while others are well ... »
36 comments 29 Sep 2012: Tokyo Gundam 2012
Remember the spectacular Gundam robot first built 3 years ago in Odaiba and then dismantled? After a brief presence in Shizuoka in 2010, the giant robot returned last winter in Odaiba, where it will ... »
42 comments 20 Aug 2012: Takadanobaba Astro Boy
The story from the Astro Boy manga created by Osamu Tezuka is set in what was then the future, the year 2003. In the manga, Dr. Tenma, who was working in the Tokyo's neighborhood of Takadanobaba, ... »
48 comments 12 May 2012: What to see in Tokyo - Life-size Gundam is back for good in Odaiba
After the huge success from 2009, when the life-size statue of the iconic RX-78-2 Gundam was first built in the Shiokaze Park in Odaiba, Tokyo - then the statue attracted over 4 million visitors in ... »
58 comments 27 Mar 2012: The charm of Ikebukuro
Right on the place where I was standing when I took this photo, 30 years ago was located the infamous Sugamo Prison, built during the 1920s for political prisoners... But the whole neighborhood ... »
53 comments 23 Mar 2012: Japanese mascots - Hiko-nyan, Hikone Castle's samurai cat
Cats are very popular in Japan... and obviously, the cat mascots are also very popular. Meet Hiko-nyan, the Hikone Castle's mascot, the most famous and the cutest samurai cat! His name is a ... »
72 comments 05 Feb 2012: Cute Jizo Gashapon Machine
Gashapon (or gachapon) is a brand, owned by the famous company Bandai, referring to capsule toys, but also to the capsule vending machines. The name comes from two onomatopoeia, gasha and pon, sounds ... »
45 comments 20 Dec 2011: Muza-chan sponsoring Akihabara Winter Wonderland event
Dear friends, I am delighted to tell you that Muza-chan's Gate to Japan is sponsoring the AKIHABARA WINTER WONDERLAND at Royal/T, a beautiful Tune in Tokyo anime and cosplay event taking place ... »
11 comments 01 Nov 2011: Happy Birthday, Hello Kitty!
In 1974, the company Sanrio launched a vinyl coin purse on which was printed the character that soon became the most popular Japanese character and one of the most popular in the world: the white ... »
78 comments 12 Oct 2011: Akihabara Maids? Not necessarily...
I wrote before about the girls in costumes inspired after the French maids, working as waitresses in maid cafés (メイドカフェ, Meido kafe) in Akihabara. Their ... »
57 comments 21 Sep 2011: Kobe Tetsujin Statue
Ever since I learned, 2 years ago, about the construction of the Tetsujin 28-gō statue from Kobe, I wanted to go see it for myself. So here I am, at the feet of the magnificent robot, trying ... »
64 comments 22 Aug 2011: Japanese advertising: Golden Tetsujin 28-go in Osaka Station
This morning, just after I left the hotel trying to get accustomed with the new neighborhood, right in the Osaka train station I stumbled over a big steampunk-like robot.It was Tetsujin, the star ... »
69 comments 01 Aug 2011: Washinomiya Shrine Torii
The more I learn about Japan, the more fascinated I am. It is a conservative country, with customs and traditions kept over centuries, but at the same time a culture that accepts change and new ideas ... »
48 comments 25 Jul 2011: Akihabara Don Quijote
Among the buildings from Akihabara, Tokyo, there are a few that can be considered landmarks. Some because of the design, others because of the history... One of my favorites is the building hosting ... »
57 comments 21 Jul 2011: Tokyo Steampunk, Hayao Miyazaki's NI-TELE Really BIG Clock
The term Steampunk was coined in April 1987 by the American writer Kevin Wayne Jeter, in a letter to the Locus magazine. Defined as a sub-genre of science fiction, alternate history and speculative ... »
153 comments 27 Jun 2011: Akihabara Maids, Let's Uchimizu!
In the old times, before the air conditioning, the Japanese people developed traditional ways to help cooling off during hot summer days... One very interesting technique, still largely practiced, is ... »
85 comments 25 Jun 2011: Anpanman Terrace Shiodome
One of the most popular manga and anime characters in Japan, Anpanman is also one of the longest running series. The Soreike! Anpanman ... »
44 comments 29 May 2011: Anpanman Suitcase
Anpanman is one of the most popular and beloved anime cartoon characters in Japan. According to a study published by Bandai in 2005, Anpanman is the most popular character for children under 12 years ... »
48 comments 01 May 2011: Akihabara Backstreet Shops
I like a lot the atmosphere on Chuo dori, where many of the most famous Akihabara buildings are located, but after a while the crowd and the noise becomes tiresome... so I usually withdraw to the ... »
48 comments 29 Apr 2011: Hello Kitty Daruma Doll
The Daruma doll is one of the best known lucky charms from Japan. Usually made of papier-mâché, the Daruma doll is a round doll, a type known in English as "tumbler doll" and in Japanese okiagari, ... »
40 comments 18 Apr 2011: Suginami Animation Museum Anime Timeline
Located in Suginami-ku, a Tokyo ward known as "the anime town" because 70 of the ~400 companies working in the Japanese anime industry are concentrated here, Suginami Animation Museum is a real ... »
48 comments 05 Mar 2011: Otome Road Shops
If Akihabara is the definitive destination for otaku boys, the Otome Road, a street in Ikebukuro located nearby Sunshine City, is the definitive otaku destination for girls.Obviously, it is also ... »
33 comments 04 Mar 2011: Hello Kitty Hina Matsuri Dolls
If you wish to follow the Japanese tradition and at the same time to enjoy the kawaii culture, instead of the traditional hina-ningyo dolls, on Hina Matsuri you can buy a set of... Hello Kitty Hina ... »
61 comments 19 Feb 2011: Himiko, the Ship designed by an Artist
Leiji Matsumoto is a known mangaka (comic book artist), author of several famous stories, like Space Battleship Yamato, Galaxy Express 999 and Captain Harlock. When he was asked to draw the design ... »
42 comments 09 Feb 2011: Japanese Advertising, a Pokemon Egg
Last summer, one morning, while passing through the Japan Rail Ueno Station, I discovered on the side of the main hall, a huge... egg: Pokemon EggIt was a Pokemon egg, part of the ... »
53 comments 03 Feb 2011: Astro Boy from Takadanobaba
For the manga fans, Takadanobaba, a neighborhood in Shinjuku Tokyo, is the birthplace of Astro Boy, a fictional character created by the "father of manga", Osamu Tezuka.That's why, right in front ... »
53 comments 05 Dec 2010: Tamagotchi in Raincoat
On the busy streets of Asakusa, Tokyo, in front of the Bandai Headquarters, rain can be a reason for fun. When the rain starts, a Bandai employee is in charge of dressing the kawaii characters ... »
33 comments 01 Dec 2010: Akihabara Maids Costume Parade
The first maid cafe (メイドカフェ, Meido kafe), the coffee shop with waitresses dressed-up as maids, appeared in Akihabara in 2001. In time, they became one of ... »
45 comments 26 Nov 2010: Buddhist Temple, Manga Skyscraper
One of the main temples in Tokyo is the Gokoku-ji Temple, built in 1681 by the Shogun Tokugawa Tsunayoshi for his mother, Keishoin. The temple is located in Bunkyo-ku and is visible in this photo ... »
35 comments 24 Nov 2010: Pachinko Parlor
They can be seen everywhere in Japan, almost as often as the convenience stores. Brightly lit in vivid colors, covered with ads featuring anime characters (Evangelion seems to be a popular choice)... ... »
38 comments 31 Oct 2010: Evangelion butter cookies
Tokyo-3, the city from the popular anime series Neon Genesis Evangelion, is located in the (real world) Hakone area. Since the popularity of the series is extremely high, the Japan National Tourism ... »
28 comments 01 Oct 2010: Yatai Mask Shop
When going to Japanese festivals, I like to browse the temporary stalls (yatai). Besides the ones selling food (I especially like those with yakisoba and icecream), I'm also attracted by Kingyo-sukui ... »
33 comments 15 Sep 2010: Animate Store
The Animate store from Ikebukuro is my favorite, it always seemed to me better supplied than the more famous branch from Akihabara.I like the building too, with its big colorful billboards. And I ... »
36 comments 12 Sep 2010: Gundam Shop Shutter
31 years ago, the Gundam was created at the Sunrise Studios in Suginami, and the entire area benefited from the economic growth brought by the development of the Anime industry. Today we can find ... »
22 comments 16 Aug 2010: Still crowded at Gundam Cafe
Although it was opened in April, the Gundam Café from Akihabara is still crowded at any time of the day, and there are always people waiting outside in a queue. I wanted to visit it, but I never had ... »
30 comments 15 Aug 2010: Gashapon Machine: Maid Cafe Pins & Straps
I like Japanese Gashapon machines and I play whenever I feel lucky. :) Sure, most of the time you can buy the items in the Akihabara, Nakano or Ikebukuro stores, but a randomly gained item gives a ... »
24 comments 04 Aug 2010: The New Yamanote Pokemon
One of the benefits of being accommodated in Ueno is the easy use of the Yamanote line, so yesterday I boarded this Pokemon Yamanote train. The new Pokemon movie was released a few weeks ago and the ... »
45 comments 01 Aug 2010: Akihabara Uchimizu
Uchimizu is a traditional Japanese custom, consisting in splashing water on the streets, in order to cool the area, keep down the dust and to please the passersby. It is considered an illustration of ... »
39 comments 21 Jul 2010: Astro Boy mural painting
According to Osamu Tezuka's manga, Astro Boy was born in Takadanobaba, in April 2003. So, since 2003, the Japan Rail Station Takadanobaba uses the Astro Boy theme as a train departure signal, and ... »
27 comments 25 Jun 2010: Gundam, Taking Off
Gundam, Taking Off, Odaiba, Tokyo 10 months ago, we were saying goodbye to the life-size Gundam from Odaiba. These days, it is rising ... »
33 comments 24 Mar 2010: 5 Sakura Songs by... Vocaloid Software
For thousands of years, the gentle flowers of sakura inspired the musicians. Some songs became so popular that, even after centuries, they are still well-known. And in Japan the tradition ... »
9 comments 29 Jan 2010: Top 6 'Giant Robots' Japanese Attractions
The "robot anime" (ロボット, robotto) (known outside Japan as mecha anime) is a Japanese animation genre featuring walking robots (called mecha), usually bipedal, with ... »
91 comments 18 Nov 2009: Happy Birthday, Mickey Mouse
His films may have influenced the development of today's anime. He's by far the best known cartoon character and his name (written ミッキー) is equally popular even in ... »
27 comments 16 Oct 2009: Ema and Lucky Star - From Shinto tradition to Anime
In the old times in Japan, it was a custom for wealthy families to donate horses to shrines, as part of the invocations and a sign of respect for kami. In time, this practice changed, first the ... »
73 comments 30 Sep 2009: Ikebukuro Ultraman statue
Not only the Gundam or Doraemon fans can have the pleasure of taking photos next to huge statues of their favorite characters, but also the fans of Ultraman.Besides the statue located in ... »
12 comments 25 Sep 2009: Akihabara Maids, candid shots in Akiba
The first maid cafe (メイドカフェ, Meido kafe) in Akihabara, the coffee shops where the waitresses are dressed as maids, appeared in 2001. In time, they become ... »
68 comments 05 Sep 2009: Lucky Star Mikoshi
Tomorrow, at the Washinomiya Shrine, the matsuri with the traditional mikoshi parade will take place. At this parade will also be featured the Lucky Star mikoshi I photographed last month in the ... »
5 comments 03 Sep 2009: Happy Birthday, Doraemon!
Doraemon, the extremely cute cat robot, was created on September 3rd 2112, at the Matsushiba Robot Factory. His birth date (12/9/3) is related to a representative number for Doraemon: 1293. ... »
49 comments 02 Sep 2009: Good Bye, Gundam!
The time has come to say Good Bye to the life-size Gundam statue from Odaiba! For now, it is unknown what will be the fate of the statue after dismantling. I hope that after some time we will see ... »
59 comments 17 Aug 2009: 30 detailed Gundam photos
Finally, the time has come to visit Odaiba and, of course, the Gundam. Many photos were published until now (my favorites are shibuya246's), but the modelist in me wasn't satisfied yet... I wanted ... »
21 comments 11 Aug 2009: Washinomiya Shrine, the Otaku sacred place
Today I visited the Washinomiya Shrine, famous because it is the oldest Shrine in Kanto (since year 660), but also because it is the setting for the anime series Lucky Star.The mixture between ... »
5 comments 10 Aug 2009: The second-best otaku shopping center in Tokyo
Today was a rainy day in Tokyo, just fine for some otaku shopping... This time I went in Nakano, in search for... anime figures, of course. :DI wrote two days ago that Otome Road is the second ... »
1 comment 08 Aug 2009: Danny Choo's expo and shopping on Otome Road
Today was, again, dedicated to anime, more exactly to anime figures. I went to Danny Choo's figure show, Tokyo Figure Show, in Harajuku. I was very interested to see Mirai. I'm not a Figma fan but ... »
1 comment 07 Aug 2009: Anime sightseeing in Tokyo - Suginami, Gundam
Today I visited several places related to anime, especially to Gundam history. No, I wasn't visiting the Odaiba Gundam (soon...), I went instead at the Suginami Animation Museum, in ... »
18 comments 04 Aug 2009: Shopping in Akihabara
Coming back in Akihabara for the third year in a row, I've experienced the same feeling like the first time: many nice and joyful people. The commercials changed (I immediately noticed Sebastian ... »
7 comments 30 Jul 2009: Casual sightseeing in Tokyo - Bandai's less known Gundam statue
Everybody's talking about the Gundam statue raised by Bandai in Odaiba (of course, I'm looking forward to my photo-shooting session, during the next days), but nobody wrote about the new SD Gundam ... »
7 comments 30 Jun 2009: Himiko and the Galaxy Express 999
When I took a ride with the water bus Himiko on the Sumida river, from Asakusa to Odaiba, I was surprised to see on the deck a few characters from the anime series Galaxy Express 999. I ... »
9 comments 01 May 2009: 20 years of Ghost in the Shell
This month marks the 20th anniversary of The Ghost in the Shell ( 攻殻機動隊 - Kokaku Kidotai ) manga. One of the most appreciated cyberpunk manga, Masamune Shirow's ... »
3 comments 28 Apr 2009: Akiba mikoshi
Last sunday, in Akihabara, an "otaku matsuri" took place. As with any matsuri, a portable shrine (mikoshi) was carried, covered with otaku decorations: a laptop, a vacuum tube, video games, ... »
Comment 25 Apr 2009: Sightseeing Tokyo - Anime characters in raincoats
It's raining outside and this just reminded me of the kawaii anime characters (Anpanman, Doraemon and others) from the Bandai headquarters, Asakusa. Those statues made me smile on every rainy day, ... »
12 comments 24 Apr 2009: Akiba mascots
Yodobashi Akiba gave up to their old mascot, the waving hands friendly train... ...and replaced it with a maid: ;) foto: Akihabara News Drawn in the same style, with a wondering ... »
Comment 07 Apr 2009: The Day of Gundam
Today is the anniversary day of Gundam, the hugely popular Japanese franchise. Everything started exactly 30 years ago, on 7th April 1979, as a TV anime series Mobile Suit Gundam ... »
1 comment 16 Mar 2009: The mascot of Edo Tokyo Open Air Museum
The mascot of Edo Tokyo Open Air Museum is a little green caterpillar, with very big eyes. His name is Edomaru and was designed by Hayao Miyazaki. Photo with an Edomaru ... »
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"A friend calculated that since I started working on this website, I lived in Japan approx. 8% of my life. Is this much or little? If you ask my family and friends, it’s a lot. I agree that it’s a lot more than a normal traveler spends in a foreign country… but if you ask me, this is just the beginning.
I want to share with you my travels through Japan and my readings about this wonderful culture, to see Japan through my eyes, from the temples and shrines to the cities and people of Japan, from places filled with history and spirituality, to the the modern Japan with skyscrapers and pop culture."
Muza-chan's Gate to Japan includes:
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» Japan's most famous customs and traditions with photos, videos, stories, background and historical information plus some travel tips
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