japanup_akane - JapanUp! magazine

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…

ATT. JAPAN Fun Facts LEARNJAPAN POPULAR TRAVEL

Japan Now! What Is Typhoon Season in Japan, and Should Travelers Worry? (6/25)

japanup_akane 06/25/2026

If you are planning a summer trip to Japan, you have probably pictured warm evenings, festivals, and clear skies over Mt. Fuji. Here is something that does not always make the travel brochures. Summer is also typhoon season, and right now two of them are spinning near Japan at the same time. If you are visiting between roughly June and October, this is worth understanding before you go. Quick Answer: Japan’s typhoon season runs from about June through October, with the peak in August and September. Typhoons are powerful tropical storms (the Pacific cousin of hurricanes) that can bring extreme…

I LIVE IN JAPAN INTERVIEW POPULAR

I LIVE IN JAPAN / Mathilde DUBOIIS / Co-founder of tokimeki LLC

japanup_akane 06/25/2026

April 2026 (VOL.222) Mathilde DUBOIIS What do you do in Japan? Can you talk about your job in Japan? I co-founded tokimeki LLC with Alice Agnellet. We support foreign entities’ operations in Japan, mostly events-related. We do language and cultural support, and action our networks to best support our clients’ needs. Some of our main projects include : international competitions pre-camp (Olympics, World Aquatics), product launch on-trade dinners (Baron Philippe de Rothschild), Project Management (Cezars Kitchen for Osaka EXPO)… Before tokimeki, I worked for Kanazawa City as a Coordinator for International Relations for 7 years which forged most of my…

EVENT AND NEWS IN LA WHAT’S HOT

Mitsuwa Weekly Ad 2026: This Week’s Specials & Sale Deals

japanup_akane 06/24/2026

Mitsuwa Weekly Ad for Jun 19-25, 2026. This week’s specials and fair deals at Mitsuwa Marketplace: produce, sake, Calpico, Choya, Baby Star and more, with store locations across LA, OC and San Diego.

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

Free Admission! Nova Vita Summer Festival, July 11-12 at Tanaka Farms

japanup_akane 06/24/2026

The Nova Vita Festival returns to Tanaka Farms this summer, and it is shaping up to be a must-see event the whole family can enjoy. Now in its 6th year, this Japanese summer festival (natsu matsuri) is planned and run largely by local high school students, and it drew more than 3,000 visitors last year. Expect food stalls serving takoyaki, karaage (Japanese fried chicken), and yakitori, along with a game alley for the kids. On stage, there will be a karaoke contest and a raffle for a chance to win round-trip airfare to Japan. The festival’s big highlight is an…

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

Kinokuniya Bookstore Relocates and Reopens in Little Tokyo

japanup_akane 06/24/2026

Kinokuniya Little Tokyo is back. The Japanese bookstore has relocated and reopened a large new store in the neighborhood this June.Little Tokyo this June. This flagship offers one of the largest selections of translated manga in California, along with a wide range of Japanese-language books and stationery, plus a permanent Studio Ghibli corner. The store is also about twice the size of the previous one, making it the second largest Kinokuniya in the United States. In addition, the separate temporary store has officially become independent as the Los Angeles THE BLOC Store, giving downtown a convenient two-store setup. Check the…

Fun Facts LEARNJAPAN POPULAR

Japan Now! Why Did Male Artists Just Sweep ALL 10 of Japan’s Mid-Year Music Charts? (6/24)

japanup_akane 06/24/2026

Japan’s Oricon 2026 Mid-Year Ranking is out, and all 10 sales charts went to male artists. See why BTS, Kenshi Yonezu, Arashi, Snow Man and more topped the list.