After viewing Ozu’s silent film An Inn in Tokyo with a live accompaniment over the past weekend, my interest in traditional Japanese stringed instruments is renewed. Here’s one such performance on the Koto ~ 琴演奏.

Was here everyday for a week during my stay in Kyoto. Yep, this it what it’s like.

KYOTO STATION from Jeremy Hoare on Vimeo.

This is pretty funny. Even more so that they spent the time to make this video.

Google 日本語入力パタパタバージョン

April Fools, indeed.

Wild video. Love overnight into morning.

Foursquare check-ins show the pulse of New York City and Tokyo from Foursquare on Vimeo.

My twitter/Chicago friend Elisa is currently in Tokyo. She spotted a photo of the SoftBank dog, who had quite a popular run of commercials for SoftBank. Here is Shiba Inu Otou-san in a matching officer’s outfit.

Now Otou-san is an officer working for the law?! Check out Elisa’s photo:

Shiba Inu Otosan still popular in Japan!

If you have not seen Ishida’s short film on YouTube now is your chance!

He made this animated short「フミコの告白」while attending university. Check out the “Making of” book here. Thanks, Josh!

I’m super excited to see JOSY since they did not perform at my show back in 2011. Here’s JOSY live at The Viper Room for Japan Nite 2011.

Click here for the complete Japan Nite Tour via JRocker FanClub.
Here’s a favorite JOSY PV for the track Hooligan Babe (Love the stylized look of that music video. Good song too!)

Trailer for new film Yokomichi Yonosuke, directed by Shûichi Okita, starring Kengo Kôra from Fish Story.

Read Mark Schilling’s excellent review at The Japan Times.

Video shot on Valentine’s Day of live featuring ZZZ’s performing dystopia:

Read the latest article about the ZZZ’s at The Japan Times.

Short film Ramen Dreams directed by Michael McAteer is now available to watch online! It’s only 7.5 minutes so get on it.

Please visit the official Ramen Dreams website for more info.