Music
Kimigayo: A Guide to Japan’s Controversial National Anthem
A dive into the shortest, most contentious national anthem in the world.
By Jack Richardson 15 min read
Fuji Rock Festival 2019 Lineup Announced
Netizens cannot contain their excitement.
Japan Summer Music Festival Guide: Oh No, Let’s Go!
Fuji Rock, Summer Sonic and the whole shebang offer up your choice of rock, pop, jazz, EDM and more in the great outdoors.
It’s a Long Way to the Top: Starting a Band in Japan
Tips on finding bandmates, places to practice, spots to play live and more for anyone who wants to play music in Japan.
Summer Music Festival Frenzy 2017
Japan’s summer music festival season is back, bringing headliners like LCD Soundsystem and the Foo Fighters to mountains and stadiums across the nation.
Ten Essential Songs for Your Japanese Christmas Party
Wow (or is it torture?) your guests with this ultimate playlist of Japanese Christmas songs.
Praised and Reused: A Guide to Buying New and Used Instruments in Japan
The best places to buy musical instruments in Japan. Rock on.
4 Examples of Japanese Background Music and Where to Find Them
You hear it every single day everywhere in Japan but you have no idea how or why. This is Japanese background music or BGM.
5 Amazing Japanese Albums You’ve Never Heard Of
Looking to discover more Japanese music? This guide covers some of the core sounds to come out of Japan over the past 50 years.
Raving Akihabara Style: What is anison?
"Anison" — short for anime song — is a music genre that is unique to Japan. But what exactly does it sound like? An Akiba raver gives us the lowdown.
