Music
Despite Japan’s reputation as a high-tech wonderland, the number of musicians making electronic music is surprisingly small. Sure, there are techno-influenced pop groups like Capsule and Perfume, and plenty of bands incorporate elements of EDM (electronic dance music) into their compositions. Still, compared to Europe, the UK or even America, where genres like techno, house and trap are well-represented, Japan is relatively quiet. However, this can be seen as a blessing in disguise. Whereas overseas artists can’t help but be influenced by their e-music peers, Japanese artists tend to do their ...
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Japan is an incredible place to be a music fan because Japan loves music. What do you expect from the country that gave the world karaoke and made singing a song a viable hobby? It also has the second-largest music industry in the world (after the US). This love of music also extends to movies, with films depicting the adventures of bands and musicians like Swing Girls often striking a chord (pun intended) with filmgoers. What could be more Japanese than a group united in a single purpose and doing their best to overcome personal and external odds? Here’s a list of some of the best films for r...
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You might not know it, but there’s more to Japanese music than just idol groups and anime songs. We’ve talked about some obscure genres of music in Japan before, but a style that’s a bit more contemporary is J-rock. This is admittedly a broad genre, so today, we’re going to talk about bands that have been influenced by bands from England, particularly shoegaze, dream pop and other effects-heavy styles. Some of these bands are still around, while others have sadly broken up. Here are five of our favorite Japanese bands that made waves influenced by British rock. 1. SupercarLet’s start with Supe...
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City pop is a genre of Japanese music that was popular in the late 1970s and early 1980s. It melded R&B, pop and soul into a slick whole and perfectly soundtracked urban life in a booming economy. Recently, the genre exploded in popularity due almost entirely to a YouTube algorithm recommending Mariya Takeuchi’s “Plastic Love” to seemingly anyone and everyone. Not that it doesn’t deserve the attention. It’s an excellent example of city pop and the Japanese music industry at its peak: strong musicianship, state-of-the-art recording facilities and a uniquely Japanese blend of popular genres. Hea...
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Singing your heart out at a karaoke box is one of the most popular ways to hang out and unwind in Japan, regardless of age or gender. Within the confines of the dimly light soundproof walls, it’s easy to let loose and forget all the stress of the previous week. It’s no wonder why some might even argue that it’s pretty much a cultural pastime. There are even one-person karaoke boxes available a la Aggretsuko, where customers practice for their next trip to karaoke with friends or just let off some steam. While it might be tempting to sing in English, since you’re already in Japan, you might as ...
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Japan is a great country for musicians. Thanks to strong local brands such as Yamaha and Roland and an overall cultural appreciation for music, it’s easy to find second-hand instruments (chuko gakki,中古楽器 in Japanese) for surprisingly low prices—if you know where to look. Musicians and those looking to start a new hobby living in the city, such as Tokyo and Osaka, are spoiled for choice regarding second-hand shops. However, what do you do if you’re in the countryside? Don’t fret, as there are plenty of places to buy online and in-person all over the country. Japanese vocab for instrumentsIn cas...
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