film
Even in the days of black-and-white filmmaking, Japanese filmmakers were leaders in the field of making audiences scared, uncomfortable and at times just plain perplexed. Japanese filmmakers have distinguished themselves to the degree that Japanese cinema is somewhat synonymous internationally with horror. Outside animation, horror has been their only other successful media export internationally. So to help make your movie choices easier this Halloween, I’ve compiled this list of fantastic horror films from the 60s to now for you to freak out over on October 31. 1. Noroi: The Curse (2005)Foun...
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Himeji Castle is the largest and perhaps one of the most beautiful castles in Japan. If you’re there during the day, ghost stories might be the furthest thing from your mind. However, summer is traditionally a time for such stories thanks to the Japanese holiday of Obon, when spirits walk the earth. Exploring the castle grounds leads you to the impressive main keep, which looks out over the city and has earned the nickname the White Heron Castle for its appearance. On the way down, you might see people gathered around a fenced-in well, looking down through the grate over it. It’s one of the la...
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Hayao Miyazaki, the genius behind Studio Ghibli, is famous for his love of visiting locations around Japan to inspire his animations. From the quiet seaside towns of Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea to the giant mansions in The Secret World of Arriety, the environments and cities are as much characters in his stories as any of the lively humans or flying pigmen. We’ve talked about Studio Ghibli locations you can visit in Japan before. But there are more places that people can check out to experience Ghibli—some of which are almost identical to Miyazaki’s movies. Miyazaki has been famously vague a...
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Japan’s southern island, Okinawa, almost feels like an extra character in The Karate Kid and its spin-off Netflix series, Cobra Kai. Mr. Miyagi’s love of the islands, the lore of its ancient fighting styles and even its dark wartime history are a constant presence influencing his life and the lives of his students. Like most 80s kids, I grew up watching The Karate Kid and its sequels, so naturally, I couldn’t wait to visit Okinawa and recreate the movie. I assumed it would be as simple as watching the movies and visiting the locations by car. Like learning to crane kick someone to the face, ho...
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The intermediate Japanese learner is at something of a difficult place. You’ve broken through from beginner apps and hiragana charts, but you aren’t ready for a fully immersive Japanese media experience, either. Japanese movies can be complex, with many job-specific 用語 (yougo, or jargon) to wade through. Most Japanese movies don’t have 英語の字幕 (eigo no jimaku, or English subtitles) either. So what is someone who is studying for the N3 or N2 JLPT to do? I recommend teen romance flicks for up-to-date, naturalistic dialogue without too many tricky words. For the best experience, make this about stu...
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Ah, Christmas in Japan. Here, Santa leaves his home in Finland, comes through the front door (no chimneys here) and places gifts next to sleeping children’s beds. Meanwhile, families scarf down KFC and cake, and young couples go out on romantic dates. Christmas movies are different too. While we might watch a family-friendly film about Santa and his elves, locals want to curl up on the couch with their significant other and get romantic. So it’s more of a couple’s holiday. However, one thing that we share is the idea of the Christmas miracle. So enjoy Christmas like the locals—grab a big bucke...
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By now, most people have binged the Netflix series Squid Game. You might even be looking for more survival films and discovered Miike Takashi’s Kami-sama no Iu Tori or As The Gods Will—an equally bloody film that uses children’s games. Why is a children’s game important enough to base an entire movie around? It could be because children’s games are a great way to learn more about a country’s attitudes and culture. And sometimes children’s games are pretty grim. The monk fartedIn one of As The Gods Will’s most famous scenes—spoilers—students play a game known in Japan as darumasan ga koronda, o...
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