Since the 1950s, Seizo Fukumoto has been a fixture of seemingly any Japanese production involving samurai. However, you probably wouldn’t recognize his face as he tends to be given the role of “guy who gets killed.” Although he has occasionally taken work outside of period pieces, his constant roles as “soon-to-be-dead guy #2” has earned him the industry title: The Man Who Was Slashed 50,000 Times.
Having enjoyed a long and bloody career in cinema slightly off center-stage, Fukumoto has finally been given his chance at a starring role in Uzumasa Limelight, a new film hitting Japanese theatres this summer.
All-you-can-drink Starbucks and amazing views part of Tokyo’s new 170 meter-high sky lounge
McDonald’s new Happy Meals offer up cute and practical Sanrio lifestyle goods
More foreign tourists than ever before in history visited Japan last month
Beautiful Sailor Moon manhole cover coasters being given out for free by Tokyo tourist center
Starbucks reopens at Shibuya Scramble Crossing with new look and design concept
Deer in Nara Park mysteriously disappear during this year’s shikadamari season
Is the new Shinkansen Train Desk ticket worth it?
Uniqlo opens its first Furugi Project secondhand clothing pop-up shop in Tokyo
Enjoy viewing Kyoto’s cherry blossoms from above on a guided zipline tour
The oldest tunnel in Japan is believed to be haunted, and strange things happen when we go there
Disney princesses get official manga makeovers for Manga Princess Cafe opening in Tokyo
Beautiful new Final Fantasy T-shirt collection on the way from Uniqlo【Photos】
Foreign English teachers in Japan pick their favorite Japanese-language phrases【Survey】
Japanese convenience store packs a whole bento into an onigiri rice ball
We try out “Chan Ramen”, an underground type of ramen popular in the ramen community
Studio Ghibli releases Kiki’s Delivery Service chocolate cake pouches in Japan
Japan’s bone-breaking and record-breaking roller coaster is permanently shutting down
New definition of “Japanese whiskey” goes into effect to prevent fakes from fooling overseas buyers
Our Japanese reporter visits Costco in the U.S., finds super American and very Japanese things
Studio Ghibli unveils Mother’s Day gift set that captures the love in My Neighbour Totoro
Foreign passenger shoves conductor on one of the last full runs for Japan’s Thunderbird train
Domino’s Japan now sells…pizza ears?
New Japanese KitKat flavour stars Sanrio characters, including Hello Kitty
Kyoto creates new for-tourist buses to address overtourism with higher prices, faster rides
Sales of Japan’s most convenient train ticket/shopping payment cards suspended indefinitely
Sold-out Studio Ghibli desktop humidifiers are back so Totoro can help you through the dry season
Japanese government to make first change to romanization spelling rules since the 1950s
Ghibli founders Toshio Suzuki and Hayao Miyazaki contribute to Japanese whisky Totoro label design
Doraemon found buried at sea as scene from 1993 anime becomes real life【Photos】
Tokyo’s most famous Starbucks is closed
One Piece characters’ nationalities revealed, but fans have mixed opinions
We asked a Uniqlo employee what four things we should buy and their suggestions didn’t disappoint
Princesses, fruits, and blacksmiths: Study reveals the 30 most unusual family names in Japan
Deer in Nara Park mysteriously disappear during this year’s shikadamari season
Is the new Shinkansen Train Desk ticket worth it?
Uniqlo opens its first Furugi Project secondhand clothing pop-up shop in Tokyo
Enjoy viewing Kyoto’s cherry blossoms from above on a guided zipline tour
The oldest tunnel in Japan is believed to be haunted, and strange things happen when we go there
Shinjuku izakaya’s all-you-can-eat-and-drink plan is one of Tokyo’s best secret cheap eats
New Totoro, Catbus, and other Ghibli plushies transform from cushions to blankets【Photos】
Dogs now allowed on Catbus! Ghibli Park vehicles revise service animal policy
Immersive Museum offers impressive impressionist fun this summer in Tokyo
Ghibli releases a Howl’s Moving Castle that walks and lights up【Video】
Believe it! Naruto live-action stage play returns, shows off huge new cast and costumes【Photos】
Our reporter takes her 71-year-old mother to a visual kei concert for the first time