japanup_akane - JapanUp! magazine

Julie Mitrovic, a French coach living in Japan as a foreigner

I LIVE IN JAPAN INTERVIEW POPULAR

I LIVE IN JAPAN / Julie Mitrovic / Coach & Facilitator

japanup_akane 06/30/2026

May 2026 (VOL.223) Julie Mitrovic What do you do in Japan? Can you talk about your job in Japan? I’m a coach and facilitator working with women navigating major life or career transitions. I help them reconnect with themselves and move forward with clarity and confidence, using a blend of somatic coaching and Positive Psychology. I support them in those in-between moments where the old version no longer fits, but the new one hasn’t fully emerged yet. After 10 years working in Admin and HR, I wanted to deepen my impact, so I started a Master’s in Applied Positive Psychology…

History LEARNJAPAN POPULAR

JAPANESE SAMURAI / Masaoka Shiki

japanup_akane 06/29/2026 Samurai

1867 – 1902 正岡子規 Masaoka Shiki A Literary Figure Who Revitalized Modern Haiku and Opened New Paths for Language from His Sickbed . Early Life and the Formation of His Literary Interests Masaoka Shiki was born in 1867 in what is now Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture. His real name was Masaoka Tsunenori. From an early age, he loved reading and grew up immersed in Chinese poetry and classical Japanese literature. After the death of his father, he was raised by his mother and grandmother. Although the family was not wealthy, he was fortunate to grow up in a culturally rich…

Tendon tempura rice bowl from Tempura Carlos Jr. EXPRESS at Mitsuwa Del Amo

EVENT EVENT AND NEWS IN LA EXPERIENCE FOOD RESTAURANTS WHAT’S HOT

Tempura Carlos Jr. EXPRESS Opens in the Mitsuwa Del Amo Food Court

japanup_akane 06/29/2026

Carlos Jr., the popular tempura specialist known for its crispy tendon (tempura rice bowls), is now open in the food court at Mitsuwa Marketplace Del Amo. This express location offers the convenience of food-court service, plus exclusive items like the Spam tempura musubi. The new udon and tempura combo and the bento box are already proving to be big hits. Stop by and give it a try on your next Mitsuwa shopping run. Update (July 2026): Tempura Carlos Jr. EXPRESS is now running a free drink campaign. Like their Instagram post and show it at the register to get one…

EVENT EVENT AND NEWS IN LA EXPERIENCE FOOD RESTAURANTS WHAT’S HOT

TAKUMA IZAKAYA’s Daily Special Bento Is a Santa Monica Favorite

japanup_akane 06/29/2026

A local favorite, the daily special bento box at TAKUMA IZAKAYA is perfect for both lunch and dinner. Chef Takuma rotates the menu each day, with hearty options like ginger pork (shogayaki), tsukune chicken meatballs, and garlic shrimp bento. They are made fresh in limited numbers each day, so they tend to go fast. TAKUMA is also taking orders for special celebration bento boxes for events. With World Cup-related events possibly in the works, be sure to follow their Instagram to catch the latest daily specials and announcements. TAKUMA IZAKAYA 2627 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90403 310-586-7469santamonicatakuma.comInstagram: @takuma_santa_monica

EXPERIENCE Fun Facts LEARNJAPAN POPULAR

Japan Now! Samurai Blue Stun Brazil with an Early Lead, Then Fall to a Last-Gasp Goal (6/29)

japanup_akane 06/29/2026

For 90 minutes in Houston, it looked like Japan might pull off the upset of the World Cup. Facing five-time champions Brazil in the Round of 32, the Samurai Blue did not just defend. They struck first, led for nearly half the match, and pushed the favorites to the very last seconds. In the end, it took six minutes of stoppage time for Brazil to escape with a 2-1 win. Quick Answer: On June 29, 2026, Brazil beat Japan 2-1 in the World Cup Round of 32 in Houston. Japan’s Kaishu Sano scored first in the 29th minute, but Casemiro…

EXPERIENCE Fun Facts LEARNJAPAN POPULAR

Japan Now! Why Are Japanese Teens Obsessed with “Setlog,” the No-Filter Vlog App? (6/26)

japanup_akane 06/26/2026

If you have spent any time around Japanese or Korean social media lately, you may have noticed a smiley-face icon popping up everywhere. It is called Setlog, and over the past few months it has gone from unknown to the No. 1 free app in Japan. What makes it strange is that it does the opposite of what most social media promises. No filters, no editing, no looking your best. Here is why young people cannot get enough of it. Quick Answer: Setlog is a Korean-made social Vlog app where you film a 2-second clip once an hour, share it…

Couple wearing yukata from Kyoto Maruhisa USA, a yukata shop in the Los Angeles area

EVENT EVENT AND NEWS IN LA EVENT IN LOS ANGELES EXPERIENCE PLACES TO GO WHAT’S HOT

Where to Buy Yukata in LA: Kyoto Maruhisa USA in Gardena

japanup_akane 06/26/2026

Looking for authentic yukata in Los Angeles? Kyoto Maruhisa USA, a Kyoto kimono specialist with a store in Gardena, is one of the best places in the area to find them. The shop regularly brings in new yukata and accessories shipped directly from Kyoto, so there is always a fresh summer selection to browse. What makes this store stand out is that it is not just a place to shop. Throughout the year, Kyoto Maruhisa USA hosts a steady lineup of hands-on Japanese culture events, so there is almost always something happening. What You’ll Find at Kyoto Maruhisa USA The…

EVENT EVENT AND NEWS IN LA EXPERIENCE WHAT’S HOT

Zespri Kiwifruit Season Has Arrived

japanup_akane 06/26/2026

One bite of a Zespri Kiwifruit fills your mouth with sweetness and a rich, fragrant aroma. The season has just started, so now is the perfect time to enjoy it at its freshest. It is as nutritious as it is delicious. Just one Zespri SunGold Kiwifruit covers a full day’s worth of vitamin C, so every bite is good for you. Look for the full lineup at your local supermarket, including SunGold, Green, and Organic. The Zespri website is packed with the story behind its flavor, plus colorful, refreshing recipes that make the most of its juicy sweetness. Zespri Learn…

EVENT EVENT AND NEWS IN LA EXPERIENCE FOOD RESTAURANTS WHAT’S HOT

HINODEYA Little Tokyo Launches a Dodgers Game-Day Combo

japanup_akane 06/26/2026

HINODEYA Little Tokyo has rolled out a special Dodgers Combo, available only on Dodgers home game days. For $55, you get two mini ramen, one pitcher of beer, and three appetizers (edamame, gyoza, and karaage), making it a perfect set to share with friends before or after the game. In July, it will be offered for home games including the Padres series starting July 2, as well as the Rockies series. Dine-in only. HINODEYA Ramen & Bar Little Tokyo: 232 East 2nd Street, Suite B, Los Angeles, CA 90012 Instagram: @hinodeya_los_angeles

History LEARNJAPAN POPULAR

JAPANESE SAMURAI /Yosano Akiko

japanup_akane 06/26/2026 Samurai

1878 – 1942 与謝野晶子 Yosano Akiko The revolutionary Tanka poet, progenitor of 50,000 works and mother of twelve children . The Literary Awakening of a Merchant’s Daughter Born December 7, 1878, in Sakai City, Osaka, to a family running a prosperous traditional confectionery shop, Surugaya. Her given name was Shiyou. Though raised in a merchant-class setting, her household fostered a strong cultural atmosphere thanks to her father’s extensive book collection. From a young age, Shiyou was exposed to classical arts, including the koto and shamisen, alongside rigorous studies at a Chinese classics school, where she learned Confucianism and Zhu Xi…

EVENT EVENT AND NEWS IN LA EXPERIENCE PLACES TO GO WHAT’S HOT

Petites Étoiles Ballet School in Lomita Is Now Accepting New Students

japanup_akane 06/25/2026

Looking for a ballet class in the South Bay? Petites Étoiles, a classical ballet school in Lomita, is now accepting new students ahead of its new term starting in August. The school welcomes a wide range of ages, from children as young as 3 all the way to adults, with careful instruction tailored to each student’s level. The name “Petites Étoiles” is French for “little stars,” and that spirit shows in its small-group, personal approach. A great first step is to book a casual trial lesson and see if it’s the right fit. If you are interested, reach out using…

EVENT EVENT AND NEWS IN LA EXPERIENCE WHAT’S HOT

COEDO AO: A Refreshing Summer Cold IPA from Japan’s COEDO Brewery

japanup_akane 06/25/2026

COEDO Brewery has released a new summer beer, COEDO AO (碧). It is the latest in the brewery’s “Four Seasons” series, which celebrates Japanese culture through the changing seasons, and AO is the limited-edition release for summer. The name takes the kanji “碧,” which describes a blue-green color, and the beer is meant to capture the lively energy and cool breeze of a Japanese summer. AO is brewed as a Cold IPA, a relatively new style that uses lager yeast fermented at a higher temperature to create a crisp, dry finish. The result is a clear, pale gold beer with…