Anime: a timeless form of art
How many of us grew up watching the "cartoons" (as we ignorantly used to define them) of "Dragon Ball", "Captain Tsubasa", "Sailor Moon", "The Rose of Versailles" and how many more!? Now that we are a few (many!) years older we can delve deeper into the concept and understand what they really represent for the Land of the Rising Sun.
These animated series feature a wide range of genres, styles and themes and it is a true art form that has deep roots in Japanese culture and has evolved over time, becoming a mainstay of entertainment both at home and abroad. They are not just a means of entertainment, but often deal with complex and universal themes, offering reflections on society, politics and human relationships. Their importance lies in their ability to convey emotions, tell engaging stories and explore complex concepts through an accessible and visually stimulating medium.
Credits anime.everyeye.it
Global heritage
Internationalization is a significant phenomenon that has made anime an integral part of global popular culture. In recent decades, they have gained large audiences outside of Japan, with an increasingly large fanbase around the world. This was facilitated by several factors:
- platforms like Netflix, Crunchyroll and Funimation have made it easily accessible in many parts of the world, allowing viewers to watch the latest series with subtitles or dubbing in different languages.
- social media and online communities have played a vital role in expanding the anime fanbase. Reddit, X and Discord have given fans a space to discuss, share fan art, theories and news, helping to create a sense of global community.
- Dedicated conventions are held around the world, offering fans the opportunity to meet in person, participate in panels, cosplay competitions and purchase exclusive merchandise.
Merchandise per tutti i gusti
The international success has also generated a vast market for products such as toys and action figures that reproduce iconic characters; clothing and accessories such as t-shirts, sweatshirts, caps and home gadgets: mugs, posters, cushions and many other objects.
We must also not forget the thriving videogames market: many anime have inspired videogames for consoles and mobile devices, which allow fans to further immerse themselves in the worlds of their favorite series.
Credits: voyapon.com
Support from the national government
The Japanese government has played a significant role in supporting the anime industry through policies and financial incentives, recognising the economic and cultural importance of the industry by providing direct funding and tax breaks to anime companies in order to promote the production and distribution of high quality content, and the government itself works with entities such as the Japan Foundation and the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) to promote anime abroad. No less important is the strong commitment to the protection of intellectual property through which the government works to protect copyright and combat piracy by ensuring that anime companies and artists receive fair compensation for their work.
Credits: gurneyjourney.blogspot.com
Growth without borders
Unique style and rich storytelling make anime a global treasure that must not, however, lose its roots: this is a constant challenge, especially culturally. In our country, anime that is normally broadcast on television is censored; violent expressions or satire are included in the original version, which can raise open debates. Despite this, however, anime production companies must find a balance between artistic freedom and cultural sensitivity and continue in their unique and inimitable style.
What do you think about this special topic?
Travel with us
Japan Italy Bridge has just launched its exclusive “Your Japan”, a trip to Japan tailor-made for Italian tourists. This autumn, you will have the chance to go with us to Tokyo. An All Inclusive experience that will allow you to discover the beauties of the capital of Japan. Japan Italy Bridge will take care of everything, from booking flights and hotels to planning your travel plan. Furthermore, our guides will leave with you from Italy and will accompany you along the entire Japanese route.
So what are you waiting for? The time has come to pack your suitcase and travel with us!
Tokyo among the most affordable cities for 2024
Tokyo ranked among the most affordable tourist destinations of 2024, so this year is the right time to pack your suitcase and set off for the Rising Sun!
Also due to the fall of the yen, for all foreign tourists, this has actually become an important opportunity to seize to visit the Japanese capital.
It's true, the journey to get to your destination is long and sometimes expensive, but once you arrive in Tokyo, daily life is really convenient. In fact, the prices you can see at restaurants are often a third of those we are used to here in Italy.
But not only! Traveling by public transport is also really convenient. In fact, let's not forget that thanks to the Japan Rail Pass and to the legendary Yamanote Line, for a tourist, experiencing the city becomes incredibly practical and simple.
In recent years, since travel has reopened, we have seen a notable increase in the number of visitors to Japan. Interest in the land of the Rising Sun, and in particular Tokyo, does not seem to be waning.
In fact, a recent Post Office survey ranks Tokyo as the fourth most convenient tourist destination in the world.
The top 10
- Hoi An, Vietnam
- Cape Town, South Africa
- Mombasa, Kenya
- Tokyo, Japan
- Algarve, Portugal
- Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt
- Sunny beach, Bulgaria
- Kuta, Bali
- Marmaris, Türkiye
- Paphos, Cyprus
Tokyo has a reputation for being one of the most affordable destinations even before the recent economic situation, so there will certainly be many opportunities to visit the city in the future too.
Your Japan Tour: Travel with us
Japan Italy Bridge has just launched its exclusive “Your Japan”, a trip to Japan tailor-made for Italian tourists. This autumn, you will have the chance to go with us to Tokyo. An All Inclusive experience that will allow you to discover the beauties of the capital of Japan. Japan Italy Bridge will take care of everything, from booking flights and hotels to planning your travel plan. Furthermore, our guides will leave with you from Italy and will accompany you along the entire Japanese route.
So what are you waiting for? The time has come to pack your suitcase and travel with us!
Mount Fuji view from Lawson store in Kawaguchiko will be no longer possible
Tourists are the lifeblood of many places' economies, bringing with them opportunities and growth. However, they often disrespect the places and people they encounter, leaving waste and disorder behind. It is essential to travel with an open heart and an educational perspective, valuing and protecting the wonders that welcome us otherwise the decision made by the inhabitants of Kawaguchiko, Japan, could be repeated endlessly involving other beloved destinations worldwide.
But what exactly happened?
The protagonist of this story is Mount Fuji. We are in the town of Kawaguchiko where, every day, the small convenience store of the Lawson chain becomes the stage for a large number of visitors eager to immortalise its bright blue facade, which offers a breathtaking contrast with the majestic peak of Fuji-san. So far, nothing strange, except that the massive influx of tourists has generated significant problems, such as blocking sidewalks, illegal parking, etc., even crossing the road wildly, putting everyone's safety at risk to get the perfect shot. The dental clinic in front of the convenience store was particularly affected, with people blocking the entrance and even climbing onto the roof to improve the view! Despite the multilingual signs to warn visitors of their dangerous behaviour, there have been no improvements and this has forced the city to plan more severe interventions to manage the situation.
Work began on April 30 to install barriers measuring about 2.5 meters high and 20 meters long in front of the convenience store, to prevent people from parking on the opposite side of the road and reduce disruption to the dental clinic and nearby businesses. The Asahi Shimbun, a major Japanese newspaper known for its in-depth coverage of domestic and international news and recognized for its quality journalism and influence in the Japanese media landscape, reported that six iron fences, each three meters wide, will be placed along the road to prevent pedestrians from crossing dangerously. Construction of the barriers, scheduled for the first week of May, has been postponed due to difficulties in obtaining materials. An official told The Japan Times that the missing parts will arrive around May 20, allowing work to resume on completing the barrier.
Lawson has since issued an official apology to residents, businesses and others who have been inconvenienced by traffic in front of the store. The company is also considering deploying security personnel to help manage the situation. This is just one of the measures local governments in Japan have had to take to address the problem of overtourism. A similar example has been seen in Kyoto, where the government recently introduced multiple measures to ban foreigners from trespassing on private streets without permission, in response to tourists photographing and harassing maiko, the young women who undertake rigorous training to become geisha, disrupting residents and businesses.
Where to see and photograph Mount Fuji
Don't despair though! There are many other points from which you can admire the highest peak in Japan, always with the utmost respect for the inhabitants! Here are some:
- Arakurayama Sengen Park, famous for the Chureito pagoda with Mount Fuji in the background;
- Lake Kawaguchi, particularly evocative during the cherry blossom season;
- Oishi Park, which offers a splendid view of Mount Fuji surrounded by fields of colourful flowers;
- Fuji Sengen Shrine is a historic starting point for pilgrims who climb the sacred mountain.
We hope we never read news like this again. What do you think? Do you think the installation of these huge panels is right, or would you have opted for some other kind of measure? Let us know in the comments!
Travel with us
If you are also curious to see this incredible show, Japan Italy Bridge has just launched its exclusive “Your Japan”, a trip to Japan tailor-made for Italian tourists. This autumn, you will have the chance to go with us to Tokyo. An All Inclusive experience that will allow you to discover the beauties of the capital of Japan. Japan Italy Bridge will take care of everything, from booking flights and hotels to planning your travel plan. Furthermore, our guides will leave with you from Italy and will accompany you along the entire Japanese route.
So what are you waiting for? The time has come to pack your suitcase and travel with us!
The Japan Rail pass increases but the desire to use it does not decrease
The famous Japan Rail Pass now costs 70% more than pre-covid prices, however, despite the significant price increase, its benefits continue to pay off.
What is the Japan Rail Pass?
We could define the Japan Rail Pass as a "tourist pass" and, despite the increase in prices, its convenience is still unbeatable.
The Japan Rail Pass is a multi-purpose train ticket. It allows unlimited use of all Japan Rail National trains, buses, ferries and airport transfers.
The JR Pass allows you to travel with ease and save time during your stay, even on Shinkansen trains, without having to purchase a new ticket for each trip.
Additionally, JR Pass holders will be able to enjoy discounts at some of Japan's most popular tourist attractions starting October 2023.
The extreme increase in prices
Tourism to Japan has once again skyrocketed; many industries and even local governments are considering how to charge and tax services.
JR, the company that manages the country's high-speed shinkansen train service, has been offering 7- and 14-day unlimited ride passes for years. In fact, with the JR Pass it is possible to use the Shinkansen, the famous bullet train, with unlimited rides; the only requirement is to book your trips in advance.
For those who don't know, the prices of a shinkansen ticket can vary from €50 to €100 per ride, depending on the route. This makes us understand that despite the increase in prices, the cost of the Japan Rail Pass is still useful and convenient, especially if you have to travel to different parts of the city or country.
However, the pass will now have an additional cost. In fact, as of October 2023, season ticket prices have increased by nearly 70%. The positive side of the price increase: the new ticket will allow access to the faster Nozomi and Mizuho services, which were excluded from the previous ticket.
What does the Japan Rail Pass include?
As we said, the Japan Rail Pass allows you to use all trains and public transport belonging to the Japan Rail National company. This for example includes most public transport in Tokyo, the Shinkansen line and several lines in cities such as Osaka, Kyoto, Nara and many others across the country.
Travel with us
Japan Italy Bridge has just launched its exclusive “Your Japan”, a trip to Japan tailor-made for Italian tourists. This autumn, you will have the chance to go with us to Tokyo. An All Inclusive experience that will allow you to discover the beauties of the capital of Japan. Japan Italy Bridge will take care of everything, from booking flights and hotels to planning your travel plan. Furthermore, our guides will leave with you from Italy and will accompany you along the entire Japanese route.
So what are you waiting for? The time has come to pack your suitcase and travel with us!
Your Japan: come to Japan with us
Your Japan is a project born from the minds of Japan Italy Bridge in collaboration with GiraMondo Viaggi Grezzana and Bandai Namco, unique and exclusive trips to Japan. Together with our experts, you will have the opportunity to live a unique experience in city of a thousand colours: Tokyo.
Japan, a land waiting to be discovered
Japan is currently one of the most desired destinations for all Italians (and not just them). Japan Italy Bridge has been working with the Land of the Rising Sun for years and, little by little, we have built this tailor-made project for all enthusiasts and lovers of the Japanese Nation.
Your Japan - come to Japan with us
Your Japan is a project born from the minds of Japan Italy Bridge in collaboration with Giramondo Viaggi Grezzana and Bandai Namco. Together with our experts, you will have the opportunity to live a unique experience in the city of a thousand colours: Tokyo.
One of the largest megacities in the world where modernity coexists with traditional Japan. An almost perfect fusion that allows us to move from the zen atmospheres of the gardens of the Imperial Palace, up to the lively neighborhoods of Shinjuku and Akihabara. And it is precisely in this last area that the horizons open up to all manga and anime lovers. No matter how old you are, here is the right place to find "old" historical video games, or the newest releases on the market. From classic names such as Pac-man to Dragon Ball, passing through famous titles such as Kenshiro, City Hunter, Saint Seiya up to more recent titles such as Tekken.
Our partners
The GiraMondo Viaggi brand was born in the historic center of Verona in 1979 with a single travel agency. Over the years, the brand grew, becoming a group, with many travel agencies, present on the national and international territory.
There are currently around one hundred agencies, with the GiraMondo brand, each with its own shop and unique location in Italy and abroad.
A leader in the global entertainment industry, BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment Europe publishes and distributes video games and entertainment products in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia-Pacific. The company philosophy is "More Fun For Everyone".
The group's mission is to bring "more fun for all" around the world, with the aim of becoming the leaders of innovation in global entertainment.
From their European headquarters in Lyon they work on titles such as Pac-Man, Soulcalibur, Tekken and Dark Souls… as well as new projects such as Little Nightmares, Twin Mirror and The Dark Pictures.
The tour leaders of "Your Japan"
Our package is designed to give you all the attention necessary for you to experience a unique and unforgettable experience. In fact, our Italian staff will assist you for the entire duration of the trip. Our tour leaders will depart from Malpensa with you and will accompany you for the entire duration of your stay, until your return to Italy.
In these 8 days, our staff will take you to discover the Japanese capital, with exclusive experiences and trips out of town to also admire the Momiji, the period of the year in which the change of foliage takes place.
Among Ginko trees, temples and skyscrapers, you will have the opportunity to live an unforgettable and above all all-inclusive experience. Our package was created to give travelers the opportunity to not have to think about anything other than enjoying the beauty of this fantastic land. You will therefore not have to worry about flights, hotels or guided tours because everything is included in the price. Furthermore, for those who book by June 30th, they will also have an additional €100 discount per room.
So, what are you waiting for? It's time to pack your suitcase and travel with us!
Gōtokuji Temple: a monument to the 1000 cats
The most famous cat in the world is perhaps the Maneki-neko, or the cat-shaped figurine with a raised paw that comes directly from Japan.
However, few people know that the alleged origin of this statuette comes from a Japanese temple: the Gōtokuji Temple.
The Gōtokuji temple
Located within the Setagaya district, one of the residential areas of Tokyo, it is not well known by general tourists and is rarely visited by them. However, in our opinion this is an unmissable destination for all Japan lovers.
The Gōtokuji temple is an unmissable destination for all cat lovers precisely because it houses several thousand Maneki-Neko figurines of various sizes.
The history of Gōtokuji Temple
Gōtokuji Temple is a well-preserved feudal cemetery from the Edo era. This makes it one of the most iconic National Historic Landmarks in the area.
Legend has it that Naotaka, the lord of Hikone, was invited into the temple by a cat who beckoned him with its paw. Suddenly a storm broke out and the lord was impressed by the luck that the cat brought him at just the right time. This pushed him to help with the restoration work on the temple, completed in 1633.
Subsequently, the Shofuku-den was built as part of the temple to house the lucky cat, hence giving it the name “Maneki-neko”. From then on, many people visit Shofuku-den to pray for well-being, prosperity, luck and happiness.
You can find the famous and numerous cat statues of all sizes in one corner of the temple.
The cemetery and history
Inside the temple there is a cemetery that belongs to the Naotaka clan, who made the temple his best-known legacy. The cemetery is also home to many famous Japanese figures, including karate master Oyama Masutatsu and several Prime Ministers.
Furthermore, in the temple you can also find beautiful gardens that offer a serene retreat from the hustle and bustle of Tokyo.
The symbolism behind the Maneki-neko
The Maneki-neko is one of the most beloved Japanese symbols in the West. However, the statue is not directly a bringer of happiness, but gives the possibility of establishing bonds with certain people. The final result depends entirely on your own efforts.
The message behind Maneki-neko is that if you live in constant gratitude, luck and happiness will come spontaneously.
Guardians of Japan - Episode 01: "Age of Samurai: Battle for Japan" review
Here we are again with a new web series by Japan Italy Bridge! As you know, we aim to communicate and promote Japanese culture and companies in Italy and vice versa.
Since it is not possible to travel in this period, we have decided to try to shorten the distance between Italy and Japan even more by telling you not only about our experiences but also by sharing what we know about the Land of the Rising Sun.
We have already produced a web series dedicated to the promotion of Japan here in Italy called "Bringing Japan to Italy" and now we start with this new series dedicated to the history of Japan and mainly to those figures that fascinate us Westerners: the Samurai. For those who have been following us for some time, you already know that we have a fairly rich column on this subject on our blog and now we have decided to delve into it all through a video podcast.
So at each episode we are going to analyse the life and adventures of Japan's most important Samurai and we decided to dedicate the first episode to the review of the TV series "Age of Samurai: Battle for Japan" that you can find streaming on Netflix! We had already anticipated the arrival of "Age of Samurai" on Netflix and now after a full immersion we are ready to tell you what it is about, our impressions and also some curiosities!
We hope you enjoy this first episode and we are really curious to receive your feedback. Stay tuned because in the next episodes not only will you be able to discover the true history of Japan, but there will also be many surprises waiting for you, enjoy!
Authors: Erika Panzeri, Angie Antenucci // Japan Italy Bridge
Editing: Erika Panzeri // Japan Italy Bridge
Some of the footage in the video is owned by Netflix, we do not claim property of that footage.
Business Focus: How to approach the Japanese market
Here we are again with the column dedicated to the Business Focus and today we are talking about how to approach the Japanese market. Starting from start-ups up to large companies, very often we tend to forget to approach and target the Japanese public and this is a mistake from the beginning. Why eliminate a slice of the market that represents the third world power in terms of consumers?
How to approach the Japanese market
Autore: Erika
As we mentioned earlier, the Japanese market represents the third largest slice of the world by consumer level. Instead, did you know that social media platforms, even the biggest ones, consider the Japanese market as the second largest market in the world? This is because China, which would occupy the second place, has blocked many foreign companies and corporate policies, causing the focus to shift to Japan.
However, very often companies make the mistake of excluding Japan from their marketing strategies. This is because the Japanese market is also one of the most difficult to approach. In reality, you just need to be able to adapt to their mentality and ways.
The obstacles of the Japanese market
One of the biggest problems that Western companies find when approaching the Japanese market is primarily the language barrier. In fact, the average Japanese customer prefers to use their own language for both private relations and business exchanges. In fact, according to EF, Japan ranks 55th in the chart table in terms of knowledge of English.
If we add to this the fact that Japan is a country that is very attached to tradition and also to its customs and traditions, the approach to this market becomes even more difficult. However, this should not stop us, but rather stimulate us to find a way to reach this market. So, what kind of marketing strategies and tactics could we adopt? How to deal with this situation?
Digital is the solution
The strategy is actually not that complicated, digital and new media are our solution. If we're talking about startups in fact, often the available budget is limited and splitting this on different platforms to have more presence could actually be counterproductive. Better to focus your savings on digital. Over the years of working with Japanese companies and people, we've tried many different ways to promote companies. So here are our tips on where to focus.
Facebook & Instagram ads
In the past, we've already addressed how new digital media, and social media in particular, can help us set our company sailing internationally. In particular, the ads feature of Facebook and Instagram is one of the best tools to target specific users. Both start-ups and established companies should take advantage of this tool to be able to reach their audience.
The two social media platforms obviously have different demographics, with Facebook reaching a more adult audience in Japan and Instagram reaching a younger audience. By combining the two platforms and using them to promote your company, you can reach a wider audience. Obviously, before embarking on a promotional operation, it is important to study your mission and your target audience to be able to reach the right niche audience on the right social.
Twitter ads
One of the most successful social networks in Japan is definitely Twitter. Twitter has more monthly active users (45 million) than any other social media platform such as Instagram (33 million) and even Facebook (26 million) in Japan.
Twitter is a bit of a "controversial" platform, you either love it or hate it. However, when used for business it can become a really powerful and effective media as much as Facebook, especially when it comes to ads. In some cases, depending on the industry, it could even outperform Facebook. Twitter also reaches a very young audience and many Japanese companies have used Twitter ads not only to increase their brand awareness but also to increase their profit organically. If you want to reach the young audience in Japan, Twitter could be the solution for you.
Influencer Marketing
And finally we come here, to Influencer Marketing, what we believe to be the strategy that works best internationally today. In today's world, we are all bombarded by the myriad of advertisements, focusing on influencer partnerships could become a positive thing.
However, influencer marketing can be a double-edged sword. The first step to pay attention to and that will determine the success of a good campaign is the correct choice of the influencer with whom to collaborate. In this case it becomes even more important to be able to find the right influencer who is in line with your image and who has an audience in line with your target.
Obviously, being able to collaborate with big names like Chiara Ferragni or Naomi Watanabe is really difficult, however, there is a category that should not be underestimated: micro-influencers. They have limited followers compared to the others, but they also have a higher engagement rate. These could not only be loyal customers or brand advocates but also be able to bring the audience to your niche.
Investing in marketing is always a great choice and startups that may not have an infinite budget can narrow down their strategy to something targeted and functional. The Japanese market may seem strange but it has the potential to be the springboard for your company. Absolutely not to be ignored.