Based on a popular manga comic, Japanese director Naoko Yamada’s (K-On) affecting drama about the tempestuous relationship between a boy who hears and a girl who doesn’t; this is a beautiful Japanese animation which has themes around living as a deaf person at its core. When Shoko, a young deaf student, transfers to a new elementary … Continue reading
A few weeks ago Bristol saw another fantastic Upfest street art festival take place. Upfest is Europe’s largest free street art and graffiti festival, and the event sees artists travelling from all over the world to take part. There was lots of great artwork there, but today I’d like to highlight a few Japan-inspired pieces … Continue reading
Yesterday I went to see the last of the Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme films at the Watershed: Pecoross’ Mother and Her Days (ペコロスの母に会いに行く). Pecoross’ Mother and Her Days was directed by Azuma Morisaki (森崎 東) and based on a manga by Yuichi Okano. (Image source) Drawing on social issues in Japan surrounding it’s ageing population and based … Continue reading
Yesterday I went to see another of the Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme films at the Watershed, Noriben – The Recipe For Fortune (のんちゃんのり弁). (Image source) Guaranteed to whet your appetite, this heartfelt human drama traces a single mother’s journey to independence after an appetising revelation sees her decide to pursue the opening of her own bento shop. … Continue reading
The Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme is back, and yesterday I went to see a film called Miss Hokusai (百日紅), directed by Keiichi Hara (原 恵一). Set in early 19th century Japan – and based on the original 1980’s manga series Sarusuberi by female artist Hinako Sugiura – this award-winning animation brings to life the … Continue reading
Today I’m posting a very much overdue review of Sticks & Broth in Bristol. A year ago (can it really be that long?!) this poster appeared in an empty shop near my office, and my colleagues and I all got incredibly excited! Sticks & Broth, Bristol’s first real ramen restaurant opened last summer, and I … Continue reading
Okonomiyaki is one of my all-time favourite Japanese streetfood dishes, so you can imagine how delighted I was to find out about Kansai Kitchen, a new Japanese street food stall in Bristol specialising in okonomiyaki! For those of you who don’t know, okonomiyaki (お好み焼き) is a kind of savoury pancake from the Kansai region of … Continue reading
When my friend and first Japanese teacher Chika先生 sent me a message to say that Kinoco Hotel were playing live in Bristol and I should go, I knew I should. I had never heard of Kinoco Hotel (キノコホテル), but soon discovered they were a “Japanese, 1960s hotel-themed all-girl group”. Hotel-themed?! I was intrigued. It’s been a … Continue reading
A couple of weeks ago I went to see Yamato, a taiko (太鼓) troupe from Japan, perform at the Hippodrome in Bristol. I’ve seen lots of taiko performances before, and I think I’ve seen Yamato perform once before in London, but I’m always excited to see another taiko performance. The show was great! They are … Continue reading
Kumiko The Treasure Hunter (トレジャーハンター・クミコ) (2014), starring Rinko Kikuchi (菊地 凛子), written by David and Nathan Zellner and directed by David Zellner, is an absolute masterpiece. See for yourself: Kumiko The Treasure Hunter is a brilliantly quirky, highly original adventure film about a girl obsessed with finding the treasure she’s seen buried in the 1996 … Continue reading
Haikugirl's Japan 