WAttention Malaysia Vol. 29

Malaysia Edition

Tokyo - Singapore - L.A - Taiwan - Thailand - Paris - Hong Kong - Indonesia - Mexico - Australia

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Summer 2019 VOL.29 PP18029/03/2013 (033318)

Summer Tohoku

Love Japan? Follow

WAttention

暦 Koyomi Early to Mid Aug

こよみを楽しむ

IN HARMONY WITH THE SEASONS

七夕

Ta n a b a t a Traditional delicacies of the summer: “Somen (fine noodles)” were originally intended as a treat, dedicated to deceased children so that they wouldn’t feel neglected. The paper mulberry leaves were used to write wishes on, later replaced by the colorful strips of paper used for Tanabata decorations.

text & coordination/ Rieko Ido, photo/ Hajime Watanabe 文とスタイリング:井戸理恵子、写真:渡辺肇

Japan has four distinct seasons and there is a strong tradition of rituals and festivals closely connected to each season. Two of the major festivals of the summer are “Tanabata” and “Obon”. The actual dates of these events varies depending on the region, but both are festivals of remembrance, for literally ‘communing’ with the souls of people passed away, including ancestors. The “Mukaebi (welcoming torch)” and the “Okuribi 2

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(farewell torch)” are lit at each end of the Obon period to help souls navigate between worlds.

Food also plays an important part in Japanese rituals. Pictured above are the seasonal delicacies of summer, such as chilled watermelon, somen (fine noodles usually eaten cold), edamame (young soya beans in the pod), azuki bean jelly, pickles... they all have significance. The origin of the 5 colored cloth and paper mulberry leaves

lies in the tradition of animism: they are used to thank mother nature and pray for a good harvest. This is a picturesque, traditional summer table.

Rieko Ido A graduate of Kokugakuin University, researcher of ancient Japanese customs and knowledge, conducting technical analysis on findings to apply them to modern lifestyles.

Currently teaches at Tama Art University.

VOL.29

SUMMER TOHOKU 02

In Harmony with the Seasons

05

Summer Tohoku Tohoku’s Summer Festivals - Heroes and heroines Eco-adventures in Tohoku

Publisher

Shuji Ozawa FLP YOMIKO Malaysia Sdn Bhd 100.02.043, 129 Offices, Block J, Jaya One. No.72A, Jalan Universiti, 46200 Petaling Jaya, Selangor Malaysia Tel: +603 9544 3938 E-mail: yasui@flp-yomiko.com

Editor in Chief Kunio Yasui

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Hajime Watanabe

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Japan is a country filled with spectacular festivals, many of which have been around for hundreds of years. Thanks to those who manage to put it together, we are able to enjoy these amazing festivals unfold before our eyes. Read on to learn about behind-the-scene heroes whose stories are as intriguing and fascinating as the festivals itselves.

Sendai’s Tanabata Festival: Wonders of traditional Japanese paper-making by shopkeepers Sendai’s Tanabata Festival is touted as one of the three major summer festivals in the Tohoku region, Held in Sendai from August 6 to 8, the lavish event draws over 2 million spectators each year. Local businesses in major shopping arcades would decorate t heir shop f ront s by hanging colour f ul paper decorations, including 5-metre-long gorgeous streamers on bamboo poles. The sound of Japanese paper streamers flying in the wind, along with the noise of crowds, constitutes a unique tanabata melody you can only hear in Sendai.

The impact of economic development on culture preservation The Tanabata Festival has been one of the biggest annual events since Sendai’s first feudal lord Date Masamune (1567-1636) ruled the region. The Tanabata Festival spirit is very much alive in today’s Sendai, thanks to the hard work of the locals.

T h e 19 3 0 s w a s a p e r i o d o f e c o n o m i c grow th for Japan and high-rise buildings were being built in metropolitan areas all over the countr y, including Sendai. Ms. Yamamura Ranko, a senior staff at Narumiya K a m i s h o j i ’ s ( P a p e r Tr a d i n g C o m p a n y ) Tanabat a Sec tion with more than three decades of experience at making tanabata decorations, shared with us about how her team manages to transform tradition into a spectacular event.

One of the unwritten rules about opening up a store in Sendai’s shopping arcade is active participation in the Tanabata Festival. “All of the Tanabata Festival decorations were handmade by each store in the early days,” 6

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said Yamamura. “But some shop owners from outside the region did not know how to make them so they asked us to do it for them. Most shops decided to outsource the job to us afterwards.” Today, half of the Sendai Tanabata Festival decorations are made by Yamamura and her team.

Seven types of must-have auspicious ornaments Instead of using plastic ornaments, all of Sendai’s Tanabata Festival decorations made with Japanese paper dyed using a century-old technique called yuzen. The seven essential decorations include fukinagashi (colourful streamers), orizuru (cranes symbolizing longevity), tanzaku (rectangular strips of paper which people write their wishes on), kamigoromo (paper kimono symbolizing the removal of ill fortune and improvement on sewing skills), toami (cast nets representing harvest), kuzukago (waste baskets showing the importance of staying neat and tidy) and kinchaku (drawstring purses representing frugality and simplicity).

When making decorations for the Tanabata Festival, each artisan focuses on a single task, be it dyeing paper, making the frame or doing paper cutting. Hundreds of artisans work in harmony and around-the-clock to make wonders. Preparation starts as early as winter. Embodying the spirit of Date Masamune, Sendai’s Tanabata Festival is not only a splendid annual festival but a part of life for locals.

Sendai’s Tanabata Festival Event period: August 6-8 every year URL: www.sendaitanabata.com/en

behind the festivals

A omor i

青 森

Aomori’s Nebuta Festival: Passionate haneto dancers give the performance of a lifetime Aomori is known for holding the Nebuta Festival from August 2 to 7 ever y year. About 3 million tourists from home and abroad flock into the prefecture to see massive Nebuta lantern floats depicting historical moments or mythical figures. Although the creativity and craftsmanship that go into every detail never fail to wow the audience, another highlight of the event is the haneto dancers. Wearing decorated straw hats, these dancers bring the par t y to life by jumping, s t amping and singing “rassera! rassera! ”, calling visitors and customers to watch or join.

Haneto’s role in Amori Nebuta Festival It is said that the gigantic lantern we see in today’s Nebuta Festival can be traced back to the miniature lanterns released into rivers during the Tanabata Festival. Haneto dancers who lead the float procession and the musical ensemble that comes after the floats are also impor tant contributors. It ’s wor th noting that not all the Nebuta Festivals in Aomori feature haneto dancers, whose costume also display regional characteristics.

In the earlier days, all the dancers were men. To impersonate women, they had to colour their nose white, wear decorated straw hats. Today ’s t ypical haneto costume is consists of a decorated straw hat called hanagasa, white split-toe socks, straw sandals, white yukata top, colourful belts and petticoat, and a either bell on the waist. You can also put on this outfi t and join the haneto dancers. As many as 2,000 haneto dancers were said to dance around each lantern float in the past.

Mr. Haneto invites you to the dance floor Winner of the 2018 Mr. Haneto Contest, Shinji Sakurada said that his role is to bring the party to life and get as many people onto the dance floor as possible. For Sakurada, haneto is an inseparable part of childhood and when the music of the Aomori Nebuta Festival starts to play, no one can resist the temptation of dancing.

Long , freezing winter months are always followed by a blooming spring and flourishing summer. Summer festivals are a time to release one’s hibernating energy and inner drive.

The Nebuta Museum WA-RASSE

Aomori’s Nebuta Festival Event period: August 2 to 7 every year URL: www.nebuta.or.jp (Japanese)

A facility that introduces the history and charms of Nebuta. Four full-sized floats are on display, the actual ones used in the festival. Here, you can also experience a “Haneto” - try dancing to the Hayashi music or playing the taiko drums.

Hours: 9am - 7pm (May-Aug), 9am - 6pm (Sep-Apr) Access: 3-min walk from Aomori Station on JR Ou Line and JR Tsugaru Line URL: www.nebuta.jp/warasse/foreign/english.html WAttention Malaysia |

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Unveil intiguing festivals in Niigata Though it may still be relatively unknown, there is a wonderful festival in Niigata that is a must for capturing on your social media. Unlike huge festivals packed with thousands of people, this festival offers you the unique chance to enjoy an event with a more local flavour alongside town residents.

新 N i ig a t a 潟

The Echigosekikawa Great Serpent Festival: Watch a giant straw snake parade through town Sekikawa, a village located in the north par t of Niigata ken, has been holding the annual great serpent festival since 1988 as a way to warn others against the dangers of floods. As the locally-made gigantic bamboo straw snake measures 82.8 metres and weighs about two tons, it requires the strength of 500 people to carr y the creature around. The closing event is marked by the serpent coiling up at the village office, symbolizing unity and harmony.

Event period: Late Aug every year Hours: [The Serpent Parade] 9:30am-12pm, ending the parade with the serpent coiling finale in front of the Sekikawa Village Office.

URL: www.sekikawa-kankou.com/feature/taishitamonja2017/ (Japanese)

The Castle Town Shibata Festival: Shine the spotlight on goldfish floats in this parade The Castle Town Shibata Festival is a major summer event in Niigata, featuring kids pulling colourful goldfish floats around town. On the last day of the festival, teams that march portable shrines called daiwa jostle at and shove each other. The festival reached its climax. Experience the charm of this 280-year-old tradition by dropping in for a visit.

Event period: Mid to late Aug URL: shibata-info.jp/archives/3311 (Japanese)

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The Tohoku region boasts the most magnificent natural landscapes in Japan, and offers amazing eco-tours for exploring the area. Experience a day of sensational sights and adventures throughout Tohoku’s nature and wildlife areas. With a wealth

of pristine wilderness in the Tohoku region, this area is a godsend for those who love exploring the great outdoors. If you are thinking of visiting, here are our top recommendations.

When you think of areas for hiking and enjoying leisurely strolls, usually places covered with lush green ve ge t atio n s p r in g to min d , r ig ht ? We ll , i f yo u are tired of the typical locations, then Akita-ken H a c h i m a n t a i a r e a , k n o w n f o r i t s g ra n d s c e n i c

landscapes like Hokkaido, offers a once in a life time trekking experience. Nature trails in Hachimantai take you over the hellish terrain of a mud volcano, letting you observe bubbling hot springs, steaming vents and other spectacular volcanic activity up close.

Tamagawa Onsen

Towada-Hachimantai National Park www.akitafan.com/en/archive/tourism/1130

The Tamagawa Onsen (Hot Springs) also has trails which have been shaped by the volcanic activity of the area. As you stroll along the trails, you can see vents in the soil spewing, vapor and steam rising off bubbling hot springs. The steam from the hot springs have therapeutic qualities, so many visitors will lie down on tatami straw mats near the springs bathing in the steam, a fascinating sight you will not see anywhere else. A hike on this paved trail from beginning to end takes 30 minutes.

Tamagawa Onsen: www.akitafan.com/member/content/173/en

Goshogake Onsen

Tamagawa Nature Reseach Road: www.akitafan.com/en/archive/tourism/1417/

The Goshogake Onsen is a spa area that has been visited for centuries for its therapeutic qualities.

The area also has trails covering the volcanic landscape where you can observe thermal activity such as steam, volcanic gas, hot streams and mud rising up from hydrothermal vents and marshes throughout the area. The intense heat from the soil warming your feet, the smell of sulfur blanketing the air and the plant life living in this harsh environment reminds us that the earth is very much alive. You can hike a 40-minute trail that lets you see a spectacular view of the contrasting mountain landscape in the distance. All trails are paved so trekking in sneakers is not a problem.

Goshougake Nature Research Road Access: 45-min by bus from Hachimantai Station(JR Hanawa Line) URL: www.akitafan.com/en/archive/tourism/1351

The Tohoku region is not just mountains and forests; it also possesses a stunning view of the sea, earning it the nicknamed “The Alps of the Sea”. With the region’s recovery from the Great East Japan Earthquake, the

once abundant wildlife in the waters along the coast have returned and areas where you can enjoy sea and water activities are quickly becoming popular.

Tanesashi Coast and Kabushima Island (Aomori-ken) If you go out onto the water in a sea kayak by the Tanesashi Coast, you will be greeted with a spectacular view of the coast line. With its various terrains and rich vegetation, there is plenty to explore along the Tanesashi Coast. One great area to visit is Kabushima Island. While being a mating ground for over 3,000 black-tailed gulls, Kabushima Island also features a series of striking jagged rocks, smooth sandy beaches that continue along the coast and a bay area lush with wild plants. You can easily access the Tanesashi Coast and Kabushima Island from Hachinohe Station on the Tohoku Shinkansen train line.

Sanriku Fukko (reconstruction) National Park: www.env.go.jp/en/nature/nps/park/sanriku/guide/view.html

Matsushima Island of the Nihon Sankei (Miyagi-ken) People in Japan have been captivated for centuries by the sublime beauty the costal landscapes of the Nihon Sankei, known as the three most beautiful views in Japan. One of the three costal landscapes is the island of Matsushima. The tranquil waters surrounding Matsushima Island’s bay are home to some 280 islands of varying sizes. If you set out on a sea kayak rather than a sightseeing boat, you can get very close to the inhabited island, surrounding rock formations and caves. With so much natural beauty to explore, this area is becoming more and more popular for those hungry for new adventures.

Matsushima Tourism Association: www.matsushima-kanko.com/en/ WAttention Malaysia |

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Aomori is located in the northern-most part of Honshu island and its vast land area is divided into three major regions: Tsugaru, which neighbours the Sea of Japan; Hakkoda a n d To wa d a , w h i c h f a ce M u t s u B ay ; a n d Shimokita, which adjoins the Pacific Ocean.

Oirase Keiryu (Mountain Stream) flows through Towada - Hachimantai National Park and is located in the Towada area. Lake Towada is a 200,000-year-old crater lake on the border between Aomori-ken and Akita-ken.

Discover the micro-world of mosses using a magnifier If you are not into any of the above activities, why not try the moss walk, a growing outdoor activity in Japan? Moss is a plant that thrives in damp conditions and some varieties can even stand full sunlight, making them a favourite decoration for Japanese gardens. Vivid green moss can be spotted on tree barks and stones along the Oirase Mountain Stream.

Enjoy Oirase the way you like Oirase Stream, with an overall length of about 14 kilometres, is the only river that flows from it. The trekking course starts from the upper stream Nenokuchi and ends at Yakeyama, and every spot along the way has its own special offering.

Some of the most celebrated sightseeing attractions include Choshi-otaki Falls, Shiraito Falls, Kumoi Current, Ashura Current and the impressive view of mountains when approaching Yakeyama. You can also start from downstream and work your way up, enjoying the magnificent splashes of water colliding against large stones and warm rays of glittering sunshine beaming over green leaves. Oirase’s multifaceted charm can be appreciated through walking, cycling or driving. Oirase is also home to many wildlife animals like nihon kamoshika (a Japanese goat-antelope), fox and bear. Bird-watching is also a popular outdoor activity in spring.

Lake Towada

Choshi-otaki Falls

The best season to go for a moss walk is from spring to autumn. In our humble opinion, moss’ beauty is best viewed on a summer’s day, especially when the sky clears up after rain.

Through a magnifying glass, you are able to watch how these little creatures (less than 10 centimetre tall) slowly stretch their bodies after absorbing water and minerals. The vitality, diversity and intelligence of moss are absolutely astounding and will have you hooked at first sight.

Shirogane Current

Ashura Current

Nenokuchi

Choshi-Otaki

Ashura-no -Nagare

Kumoi-no-Nagare Kumoi-no-Taki

Makadoiwa

Lake Towada 10

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Kumoi Falls

Enjoy your stay with the Oirase Mountain Stream To explore and understand better about Oirase Mountain Stream, Hoshino Resorts Oirase Keiryu Hotel that sits next to it, is able to assist you in many ways. The hotel offers a wide range of activities and exquisite facilities to suit all tastes. At the outdoor hot spring, guests are pampered with a first-class view of the stream. Guests will be offered early morning walks with free coffee. Talks on Oirase are held every day by passionate guides. For those who love moss, those who love sleeping in a moss-themed room, eating moss meals and ice cream this is definitely a bucket-list experience. You can also take a mossball making workshop here.

Hoshino Resorts Oirase Keiryu Hotel Access: A free shuttle is available at Aomori Airport, JR Aomori Station and Hachinohe Station (reservation required) Address: Tochikubo 231, Okuse, Towada-shi, Aomori-ken URL: www.oirase-keiryuu.jp/en/ Mossball workshop

When accompanied by a nature guide, the 500 metre distance from Kumoi Falls to Shirogane Current is transformed into a 2-hour adventure into the micro-world of moss. The purpose of viewing so many sights during tours, including the moss walk, is to immerse everyone in Oirase’s splendid nature.

Oirase Stream Museum also offers bike rental and moss-ball making lessons. If your hotel doesn’t provide such activities, do drop by the museum and ask the staff for interesting ways to discover Oirase.

Oirase Stream Museum Hours: 9am-4:30pm Access: 3-min walk from Yakeyama Bus Stop (if using JR Tohoku bus) or Oirase Mountain Museum Stop (if using Towada Kanko Dentetsu Bus) Address: Tochikubo 183, Okuse, Towada-shi, Aomori-ken URL: www.oirase.or.jp/keiryu/keiryu.htm (Japanese)

Shirakami-Sanchi (Aomori & Akita-ken) Once you trek through the immense World Heritage Site forest of Siebold’s beech trees, hauntingly beautiful blue lakes and waterfalls await you.

Sirakami-Sanchi Visitor Center www.experience-shirakami.com

Oirase Stream Museum

Urabandai Highlands (Fukushima-ken) When Mt. Bandai erupted in 1888, the highlands became littered with lakes and marshes. The area has many trekking courses and is well-known for river trekking and canoeing.

Urabandai Tourism www.urabandai-inf.com/?page_id=25649

Shimeikei Ishigedo Yakeyama

Hoshino Resorts Oirase Keiryu Hotel WAttention Malaysia |

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If you have ever wanted to live out a movie, Universal Studios JapanTM is the place to be. Wander around Hogsmeade as you sip on Butterbeer, or lose yourself in the exciting world of Jurassic Park. In addition to internationally-known blockbusters, the theme park also includes Universal Cool Japan, a huge event based on Japanese entertainment brands that wowed the world. This summer line-up will feature collaborative attractions such as Godzilla vs. Evangelion: The Real 4-D. Now what can be more of a killjoy than having to queue just to board one of these rides? Skip the wait with an Express Pass! With Express Pass 4, Express Pass 7 and more, you can enjoy your favourite rides without having to wait in line for hours!

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Reviewer

Yun NHK WORLD-JAPAN offers free-to-view programs that introduce lesser known sights in Japan as well as informative educational shows. Aside from English, a total of ten other languages are available, making the programs accessible to people from all around the world.

J-Trip Plan

Yun is a Singaporean who has been living in Tokyo, Japan for the past two years and her favourite parts of Japan are the convenience stores, sakura, Studio Ghibli movies and onsen.

Land of warm hospitality and adorably creepy monsters

A True Rural Experience in Tottori & The World of Yokai in Anime Duration: 28 mins

While I love the bustling cosmopolitan city of Tokyo and its convenience stores that never close, the best experiences I’ve had in Japan are undoubtedly those spent in its rural heartlands. The beauty of rural Japan combined with the warm hospitality of the locals allows me to experience a side of Japan that we don’t often get to see.

In the first part of the episode, we follow our host Ali around Daisen in Tottori Prefecture as she tries her hand at making taiyaki, try refreshing mountain stream water, go wild plant picking with a local guide and visit a lawn farm to see how turf is grown and packaged to be sold to golf courses and football fields.

It was fascinating to see grass being cut into squares and packaged for export!

The second part of the episode brings us to Sakaiminato, a town famous for its Japanese yokai (妖怪 ) culture. Yokai are adorably creepy monsters with

Wild plants made into tempura are a seasonal delicacy in Daisen

backstories illuminating various aspects of Japanese culture and mentality.

At the Shigeru Mizuki museum, our host David introduces us to Akaname(

Watch this episode now!

垢嘗 ), the long-tongued monster who will come and lick your bathtub if you

don’t keep it clean, and Kasabake(傘ばけ), a yokai which evolved from an old

Available till 29 April 2020

neglected umbrella. I can’t wait to visit Sakaiminato to learn more about yokai and you too, should watch the video to find out more!

#TOKYO

KEYWORD: Kichijoji Duration: 15 mins

Kitschy and cool Kichijoji I’ve visited the charming town of Kichijoji many times, but there is always something new to explore, be it shopping, food or nature. The program first brings us to one of the most beautiful parks in Tokyo, Inokashira park. A stone’s throw from the train station, the way there is lined with irresistible street food and quaint shops selling all sorts of trinkets. Beautiful the whole year round, Inokashira park is especially famous for sakura in spring. Don’t forget to visit Inokashira Benzaiten shrine, where you can pray for good luck with your finances! In the second part of the video, we are shown around Harmonica Yokocho, home to about 100 shops crammed into small alleyways.

Shop for clothes and souvenirs in the day and unwind with the locals at the various eateries and bars bustling with life at night. Watch the whole video to see more fascinating aspects of Kichijoji – definitely one of the best hidden gems in Tokyo.

Discover delicious eateries and bars in Harmonica Yokocho

Watch this episode now!

Available till 4 May 2020

NHK WORLD-JAPAN is the international service of Japan’s public broadcaster, NHK. Get the latest news and updates from Japan on TV, via our free App or on our website.

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Autumn 2019 VOL.08

TA K E FREE

Hong Kong Edition

Tokyo - Singapore - Malaysia - L.A - Taiwan - Thailand - Paris - Indonesia - Mexico - Australia

Love Japan? Follow

喜歡日本嗎？立即線上搜尋

่ น รักญีป ุ่ หรือเปล่า ? ติดตามได้ที่

WAttention

Indonesia 2014.08 launched

WAttention

WAttention

2014.06 launched

Like and follow us on

Check out our respective countries’ FB pages!

WAttention Singapore

WAttention 挖！日本

WAttention Hong Kong

WAttention Thailand นานา เจแปน

Night life

一口咬下 美食歷史 與文化 喜歡日本嗎？立即線上搜尋

Thailand Hong Kong

2013.02 launched

給你前所未有的美味夜生活

2017.05 launched

Mulai petualangan musim semi spektakulermu di Hokkaido dengan berpindah-pindah resor di Sapporo!

原宿‧表參道 歡樂東京

WAttention Los Angeles

美味日本

Sydney

จังหวัดแห งออนเซ็นอันดับหนึ่งของญี่ปุ น “โออิตะ” จิจิบะบะ ชวนเป ดประสบการณ กับบ านพักเกษตรกร

ANOTHER 3HR TRIP

居酒屋

WAttention

27

May 2019

夏日東北遊

一口咬下美食歷史與文化

SP02

Love Japan? Follow

SP01

TOHOKU

Tokyo - Singapore - Malaysia - L.A - Thailand - Paris - Hong Kong - Indonesia - Mexico - Australia

ISSUE

นั่งรถไฟสายโอดะคิวไปชมซากุระ ฮาโกเน x คามาคุระ x ชินจูกุ x โอดาวาระ

Jalan-Jalan Musim Semi Terasyik

THE JAPAN BEYOND

Hiroshima

Taiwan Edition

Summer 2019 VOL.20

VOL.7 Issue 23

A Land of Charm

Explore Shimane, Okayama and Hyogo

TA K E FREE

歡迎自由索取

Spring 2019

กุมภาพันธ์ - เมษายน

ISSN 2539-620X

IBARAKI

WAttention

Singapore

WAttention

Taiwan

What is WAttention?

WAttention is a name created by combining “ 和 ” (WA) - meaning all things Japanese - with “attention”, referring to our mission to bring attention to the best of Japan.

“Wa” also bears the connotation of “linking”, which is what WAttention aims to do as a bridge linking Japan and the world.

We are the largest-circulating free magazine to introduce Japan’s unique culture as it is and tourism sights as they are to readers all over the world, in either English or the local language.

2012.10 launched

Check out our website at

www.wattention.com