Websites, Blogs, and More

If you like JapanThis!, then you also might be interested in some of this other awesome content. Most of these websites are run by my friends, many by acquaintances, and a small handful by mysterious people online who just make cool shit. Anyways, it’s stuff I like and I think you might too.

Japanese History Websites

• Samurai Archives Wiki
  The original source of independent Japanese history research on the web
• JCastle
  The go-to site for all things related to Japanese castles
• Sengoku Daimyo
  Repository of independent research on premodern Japan
• Heritage of Japan
  Repository of independent research about the Jо̄mon and Ainu peoples
• Deep Azabu (Japanese only)
  Repository of independent research related to Tо̄kyо̄’s Minato, Shinagawa, and surrounding wards
• Deep Azabu on Facebook (Japanese only)
  New and recycled content from the above site with comments enabled and more photos
• Kantо̄ Rekishi Ryokо̄ Jо̄hо̄ (Japanese only)
  Collection of photos, CGI models, and research related to premodern highways and post towns
• Rekishikan (Swedish only)
  Blog about all kinds of Japanese history topics, from samurai to international relations.

Japanese History Podcasts

• Samurai Archives Podcast
  Topics range from samurai culture, military history, to art history (including the Ryūkyū Kingdom)
• A Short History of Japan Podcast
  Narrative history of Japan from mythological origins to the end of the Sengoku Period
• Meiji at 150 Podcast
  Academic podcast celebrating 150 years since the Meiji Coup in 1868
• Chronicles of Japan Podcast
  Extremely detailed narrative history of Japan from mythological origins until…? (still ongoing)

Japan Photography Websites

• Rekishi no Tabi
  Beautiful photos of Tо̄kyо̄ and all Japan accompanied with historical explanations and anecdotes
• Jordy Meow
  Photographer specializing in, but by no means limited to, abandoned sites.
• Tokyo in Pics
  Photos of Tо̄kyо̄ arranged in very orderly categories with brief explanations; very browsable
• Old Tokyo
  A dealer of vintage Japanese postcards; even if you’re not buying, they’re lovely to peruse

Japan Travel Blogs

• A Different Side of Japan
  A digital marketer, who like me, has a passion for exploring Japan’s more intriguing sides, not the same ol’ crap everyone else does
• JapanThis! Tours
  A really cool guy with no web design skills but can talk your arm off about Japanese history and culture, and hates mainstream shite. You may have heard of him.
• Castle Expo
  Advertised as a Japanese castle extravaganza, it’s really more of a domestic tourism exhibition
• Tourism Expo Japan
  Largest travel-related trade show in the world, with a huge room dedicated to domestic tourism in Japan

Japan Culture Sites

• Masterpieces of Japanese Culture
  Really nice site mostly dedicated to haiku poetry and related subjects

Japan Instagrammers that I Like

• Lonny Chick
  Photos of traditional Japan, often many black/white photos of geiko (Kyо̄to geisha) and maiko (Kyо̄to geisha apprentices)
• Kuumil
  Awesome photos of geiko and maiko from Kyо̄to
• Matsumoto Wakana
  Fantastic photos of Kyо̄to-based geiko, maiko, and other traditional subjects
• Geisha-kai
  Polish girl in Kyо̄to who shares many lovely pictures of maiko and geiko
• Shinagawonder
  Instagram for Shinagawa Ward Tourism Board; they need to hire me. Tell them in the comments, they need help lol
• Manpugama
  Zaо̄-based family run pottery business; awesome traditional pottery you can make too
• Japonism Atelier
  Calligraphy and Japan-inspired fashion by Rie Takeda; including calligraphy of day in three styles
• Takeda Souryu
  Calligraphy by a Tо̄kyо̄-based artist
• Manico Tanaka
  Intensely intricate design work by Shimane-based illustrator Manico
• Nana Nano
  One of my favorite Tо̄kyо̄-based Japanese models
• Izumi Mana
  Tо̄kyо̄-based “actress” and model