Shinjiro Torii – A name you may, or may not have heard before; in case you haven’t, he is hailed as a true visionary, and was the man responsible for putting Japan on the map for good Whisky, all the way back in 1923. It’s been a long journey for Japanese Whisky since those early days. Today, Japan makes some of the best Whisky in the world, and the name Suntory is as … [Read more...] about Visiting Japan’s oldest Whisky Distillery
Culture
This Lego Cherry Blossom Tree in Japan Just Broke The World Record
This Lego Cherry Blossom Tree in Japan Just Broke The World Record Every spring, tourists journey to Japan to view the incredible cherry blossom season. Surely you’ve seen the photos. But this unusual ode to the blossoms is perhaps the rarest species of all! Created to celebrate the one year anniversary of LEGOLAND Japan, this artificial tree stands 14 feet tall and 5 feet … [Read more...] about This Lego Cherry Blossom Tree in Japan Just Broke The World Record
Junko Iwao at Anime North 2018
Greetings from Anime North, the biggest anime and Japanese culture convention in Canada! We were on the ground in Toronto with seiyuu (voice actor) guest Junko Iwao, a veteran in the industry best known for her role as the voice of Tomoyo Daidouji from the classic magical girl anime, Card Captor Sakura. Sitting in on her Friday evening Q&A panel with fans, and again on … [Read more...] about Junko Iwao at Anime North 2018
The Battle of Sekigahara
October 21st, 1600 marks one of, nay, arguably THE most important battle in Japanese history. This event led to the eventual end of the Sengoku period, and helped establish the Tokugawa Shogunate, which would forever alter Japanese history and culture – essentially making Japan what it is today. It was an ideological battle between two of the greatest Daimyos of the time, … [Read more...] about The Battle of Sekigahara
Iaido–The Ancient Art of Swordsmanship Entering a New Age
For those who have never heard the word, Iaido is a Japanese martial art which trains you, in both body and mind, how to properly use a Katana for self-defense. Despite the world-wide popularity of the iconic Japanese sword, Iaido is one of the lesser known Japanese martial arts, often lumped together with Kendo or even misheard as Aikido by unfamiliar listeners (yes, even in … [Read more...] about Iaido–The Ancient Art of Swordsmanship Entering a New Age