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5 years on from the tsunami
On March 11th 2016, it was exactly five years since the earthquake and tsunami devastated Japan's northern coast. To mark this anniversary, this March at Inside Japan Tours is all about Tohoku: looking back on its troubles, celebrating its charms, and taking stock of how far the region has come in the past five years.
To read all about this beautiful region, including first-hand accounts of the disaster and recovery, visit our dedicated tsunami page:
The Japan Tsunami 5 Years On
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01/12/2016
Japanese Murakami fans poised for February release of new novel
The latest novel by Haruki Murakami is set to be released in Japan in February, although the rest of the world may need to wait a little longer.
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23/11/2016
Tokyo's Hokusai Museum opens, featuring stunning woodblock prints
The new museum is located in the area of Tokyo where the artist lived two centuries ago.
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20/10/2016
Manga fans in Japan get their own Kindle
The Kindle Manga Model has more storage space than the regular version and a higher page-turning speed.
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26/09/2016
Animated film, Your Name, smashes records in Japan
An animated film about two teenagers who swap bodies has become a runaway success in Japan.
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11/08/2016
Pokemon Go helps boost disaster-struck regions of Japan
Pokemon Go could help bring tourists back to the Iwate, Miyagi, Fukushima and Kumamoto prefectures.
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25/07/2016
Japan's tourism sites make provision for Pokemon Go
Staff at tourism sites in Japan are doing all they can to prevent Pokemon Go-related incidents.
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22/07/2016
Vote opens to choose 88 manga pilgrimage spots
Fans of anime can decide which locations across Japan should be included in the list.
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19/07/2016
Japan is braced for launch of Pokemon Go
Experts believe Pokemon Go will be launched in Japan this week.
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13/06/2016
Follow Joanna Lumley's adventures in Japan in new series
Follow Joanna Lumley as she discovers the different sides to Japan.
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12/05/2016
Japan could host start of Giro d'Italia 2018 cycle race
The first four stages of the top Italian cycle race could be held in Japan.
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27/04/2016
Japanese theme park to get Robot Kingdom
Robots are seen as the future of the service sector in Japan, as it suffers from a labour shortage.
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22/02/2016
Japan celebrates its annual Cat Day
It?s Cat Day and the Japanese certainly know how to celebrate.
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27/01/2016
Aquarium on track to reopen after being destroyed by tsunami
Rebuilding work at the aquarium is expected to be completed in April.
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25/01/2016
Japan returns to sumo supremacy
Japan gets a sumo wrestling champion for the first time in ten years.
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08/01/2016
Tokyo Symphony Orchestra gears up for 70th anniversary
The orchestra has a packed schedule to mark its 70th year.
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07/01/2016
Art of bonsai showcased at Saitama museum
Some 120 bonsai trees are on display at the Omiya Bonsai Art Museum.
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04/01/2016
Push for Namahage deity visits to be added to UNESCO heritage list
Supporters of the campaign hope adding the tradition to the list could stop it from dying out.
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24/12/2015
Tokyo bookshop dedicates itself to one book at a time
The bookshop that only sells one title at a time is doing well.
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08/12/2015
Justin Bieber causes a stir among Japanese idol group
Justin Bieber caused controversy by planting kisses on two members of AKB48.
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01/12/2015
Japan?s annual buzzwords announced
The most popular words and phrases of the year reflect changes in Japan?s culture.
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30/11/2015
Statue of Japanese rugby star created just for Christmas
The bronze statue is going on display as part of Tokyo?s Christmas decorations.
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24/11/2015
Japan's escape room experiences now available in English
Tourists can now enjoy escape room experiences in Japan in English.
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20/11/2015
Japanese artist returns to homeland after 14 years for solo exhibition
Since the 2011 earthquake and tsunami, Takashi Murakami has moved his focus from capitalism to religion.
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18/11/2015
Murakami wins top literature prize
The Japanese author has been recognised outside of the country once more.
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03/11/2015
Universal Studios Japan breaks visitor record
Universal Studios Japan is on course for a record-breaking year.
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26/10/2015
Calligraphy exhibition opens at the Yoshikawa Eiji Museum
The beautiful calligraphy is on display at the writer?s former home in Tokyo.
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23/10/2015
Japanese TV to show its first lesbian drama
Fuji TV is to screen the new series from next month.
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22/10/2015
Get ready to work out Pokemon style
Gym-goers will be able to use their fitness regimes to earn rare breeds of Pokemon for their video games.
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07/10/2015
Tottori Dunes to feature Star Wars sand sculpture
Join in with Star Wars fever by visiting some unusual artwork.
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25/09/2015
Surfing Magazine recommends Japan as a destination
Japan may not be well known for its surfing, but it dishes up some decent waves.
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21/08/2015
Japanese singer-songwriter to perform all night at foot of Mount Fuji
Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi says he will not stop until the sun rises.
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18/08/2015
Buzzfeed to launch in Japan
Buzzfeed is teaming to with Yahoo Japan to launch a dedicated service in the Far East.
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11/08/2015
Mel Gibson to start shooting new Battle of Okinawa film in September
A new film about conscientious objector Desmond Doss will begin shooting later this year.
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05/08/2015
Tokyo's new Sailor Moon Cafe will welcome fans until September
Sailor Moon fans can enjoy food and drink inspired by the show until September.
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03/08/2015
Tokyo's Snoopy Museum to open next year
Snoopy fans will need to get in fast when tickets for the new museum go on sale in December.
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14/07/2015
Fuji Safari Park builds transparent elephant swimming pool
See elephants swimming in the shadow of Mount Fuji.
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10/07/2015
Age is just a number for Japan's newest pop group
KBG84's average age is 84, with members as old as 92 and 97.
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07/07/2015
Japanese special effects director honoured by Google
Tsuburaya's work on Godzilla has meant the monster lives on in popular culture to this day.
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29/06/2015
Two robots marry in Japan
The marriage between two robots is the first of its kind in the world.
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18/06/2015
Dancing in clubs after midnight is no longer illegal in Japan
The outdated law has now been officially relaxed in Japan.
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21/05/2015
Japanese aquariums make ethical decision to stop buying Taiji dolphins
Japanese Association of Zoos and Aquariums members are now banned from purchasing Taiji dolphins.
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14/04/2015
Shibuya cinema to host one-month Ernst retrospective
Cinema Vera in Shibuya will be honouring legendary director Ernst Lubitsch
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09/04/2015
Dance extravaganza to be held in Japanese cities
A massive dance extravaganza is set to take Japan by storm over the next few months
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01/04/2015
PlayStation to get Spotify, Sony's music service to be replaced
Sony has announced that music streaming service Spotify will be launched on the PlayStation
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16/03/2015
Taiwanese film dominates Osaka Asian Film Festival
Taiwanese movie Meeting Dr Sun won both the Best Picture and Audience Awards at the 10th Osaka Asian Film Festival
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12/02/2015
Terra Formars to get live action film
Cult director on board for Terra Formars live action adaptation
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29/01/2015
Frozen leads Hollywood films in Japanese cinema
Hollywood films are losing their dominance in Japanese cinema
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26/01/2015
USJ previews Titan experience
Participate in the rebellion against the Titans in this faithful recreation of the anime and manga favourite
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13/01/2015
Japanese drama tells story of whisky
Story of how a Scot influenced the development of Japanese whisky is raising the spirits of many
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08/01/2015
Shinjuku station in 'Psycho-Pass' promotion
Get your own Psycho-Pass profile at Shinjuku Station this week
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31/12/2014
Tokyo to welcome One Piece theme park
New theme park will thrill fans of the One Piece manga series when it opens in Tokyo this March
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31/12/2014
Kohaku Uta Gassen to feature Frozen segment
Idina Menzel is set to recreate her performance as Elsa in Frozen for Japan's favourite NY TV special
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10/12/2014
Toho promises new Godzilla film
Special committee will oversee the creation of the latest Godzilla film
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30/11/2014
Kohaku Uta Gassen lineup announced
May J and Arashi confirmed for New Year singing competition
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31/10/2014
Film fans rate most anticipated anime
If you're stuck for anime this season, consider checking out some of the below
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08/09/2014
Japanese film thrills Venice film festival
New film by Japanese director wows the critics
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