Koh’s Tokyo Dialogue

Today, Asakusa burst into life with color, rhythm, and heat as the annual Asakusa Samba Carnival filled the streets. Though far smaller in scale than Rio’s world-famous celebration, its bright costumes, pounding drums, and cheering crowds gave downtown Tokyo a festive spirit all its own—more playful neighborhood parade than massive spectacle, where Edo gently meets Rio. Samba and Asakusa: An Unexpected Match First held in 1981, the Asakusa Samba Carnival has grown into Japan’s largest samba festival, drawing crowds of locals and international visitors alike. Although the festival was paused for several years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year marks its 40th edition , a milestone celebrated with full energy on the streets of Asakusa. The highlight is the S1 League competition, where top teams perform elaborate parades complete with story-driven choreography, floats, and dazzling costumes. These performances are judged not only by onlookers but also through online voting, with vict...

For Japanese people, the National Diet Building is akin to the White House for Americans. It symbolizes politics, power, and the nation itself, and many have seen it on news programs or in textbooks. Yet, precisely because it is so familiar, people often fail to notice the unique “strangeness” of this building. A Fusion of Design and Style Standing tall in Nagatachō, Tokyo, the National Diet Building evokes Western architecture, yet it also seems somewhat cosmopolitan—or even stateless. Its most striking feature is the pyramid-shaped central spire, rather than a dome, giving it a unique silhouette that some say even resembles an Indian temple. The central tower rises 65 meters, and the symmetrical façade reflects Japan’s bicameral system, with the House of Representatives on the left and the House of Councillors on the right. While influenced by 17th-century European Neo-Baroque architecture, the building also incorporates Japanese motifs throughout. It is not a mere imitation of We...

On August 23, 2025, the 66th Tokyo Koenji Awa Odori kicked off. I joined the first day  and experienced Koenji’s streets filled with the sound of drums, shamisen, and the powerful shouts of “Yatto-sa!” . In this post, I’d like to look back on that excitement and share the unique charm of this summer festival. About Koenji Koenji is one of Tokyo’s most popular neighborhoods among young people. It combines easy access to central Tokyo with a retro, affordable residential feel. The area is also known for its live music venues, vintage clothing stores, and subculture vibe. But on one weekend in late August, the entire town transforms into a stage for Awa Odori. What is Awa Odori? The shopping streets are completely filled with people and overflowing with excitement Although Koenji has become synonymous with Awa Odori, the festival was not born in Tokyo. Its roots are in Tokushima , historically called “Awa,” on the island of Shikoku. “Odori”  means “Dance” in Japanese ...

It All Started with Happy Meals Japan is once again in the middle of a pop culture frenzy—and this time, the stage is McDonald’s. The trigger? Happy Meals. You know, the kid-friendly set with a burger, fries, a drink, and a toy, familiar even overseas. Earlier this month, McDonald’s Japan launched a special collaboration with Pokémon, offering toys based on five different Pokémon characters. But it wasn’t just the toys that caused a stir. From August 9 to 11, each Happy Meal came with two Pokémon cards : one original Pikachu card, plus one random card from the five-card set. And that’s when things spiraled out of control. Gone on Day One What seemed like a fun promotion quickly turned into a nationwide frenzy. Lines formed immediately, with people buying multiple sets at once. Many stores sold out of the cards on the first day, and they instantly appeared on resale apps like Mercari. Prices weren’t just a few thousand yen—they skyrocketed to tens of thousands, and s...

Twice a year, in the blazing heat of August and the chill of December, Tokyo hosts the world’s largest self-publishing fair: Comic Market , better known as Comiket . Held at the Tokyo Big Sight convention center, it brings together hundreds of thousands of fans from Japan and abroad. The latest event, “Comiket 106,” drew an estimated 250,000 visitors in just two days . I joined the crowd on the final day. The history of Comiket dates back to 1975 (this year marks its 50th anniversary!). The first event, held in Toranomon, Tokyo, featured just 32 circles and around 700 participants. Nearly five decades later, it has grown into a major event attracting fans from overseas as well. One of its defining characteristics is that it has continued as a space for free creative expression, independent from commercial publishing. The Path to Entry From the nearest train station, long lines of attendees stretched all the way to the venue. Despite the summer sun, everyone waited patiently, prepared...

In August 2025, Japanese movie theaters are buzzing once again, thanks to the latest Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – To the Hashira Training . Within days of its release, it surged to the top of the box office, drawing massive crowds and dominating social media trends. Fans line up for theater-exclusive bonuses, convenience store tie-in merchandise is selling out, and key scenes are already being analyzed online. This isn’t just a successful release—it’s a nationwide cultural moment. Yet for many moviegoers, this feels like déjà vu. Over the past two decades, whenever a domestic film truly explodes in popularity, it’s almost always animated. Why Anime Continues to Rule the Box Office Anime rules the screens (with Detective Conan on the other side). From Spirited Away to Your Name , Weathering With You , and The First Slam Dunk , animated works consistently dominate Japan’s all-time box office rankings. There are Japanese live-action films that win critical acclaim or pr...