Massive Sound Sculpture Brings Ancient Japanese Music to Life in Nara

NARA, Jun 23 (News On Japan) - In Totsukawa Village, Nara Prefecture, a massive sound sculpture designed to let visitors experience sound resonance was completed, and an opening event was held on June 21st.

Named "ONKAI," the sculpture reflects the musical scale of traditional Japanese gagaku. It was created over roughly nine years by German artist Lukas Kühne, with the support of local and international engineers and craftsmen.

The installation consists of ten concrete columns of varying sizes arranged in a row. When visitors step inside, they can enjoy the way voices and sounds reverberate throughout the structure.

One visitor who tried it said, "When you strike it, the sound spreads around you." Another described it as "a gently enveloping resonance."

Source: YOMIURI

Do Bears Prefer Acorns or Berries?

Bear sightings across Japan have already climbed to nearly twice the level recorded during the same period last year, prompting entry bans in mountain areas behind Kyoto’s Ninna-ji Temple and the cancellation of hiking events in Kansai, while new research suggests that the key to reducing encounters may lie in understanding what bears eat in each region.

Copper Thieves Target Japanese Shrines

Copper roofing panels were stolen from several shrines in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture, including a city-designated cultural property, in the latest case amid a nationwide surge in copper thefts targeting shrines and temples across Japan, where soaring metal prices have fueled crimes that leave historic religious buildings damaged, exposed to the elements, and facing repair costs of millions of yen.

1200-Year-Old Temple on Miyajima Reduced to Ashes

Flames broke out on the morning of May 20th on Miyajima Island in Hiroshima Prefecture, home to one of Japan's World Heritage sites, destroying Reikado Hall near the summit of Mount Misen.

From Bento Boxes to Garbage Bags, Rising Costs Hitting Daily Life Across Japan

Uncertainty surrounding the situation in the Middle East is beginning to affect daily life in Japan, as concerns over crude oil supplies spread to restaurants, cleaning services and even household garbage disposal systems across the Kansai region.

Tochigi Robbery-Murder Suspect’s Wife Posted Dance Videos on Social Media

A 25-year-old woman arrested as a suspected ringleader in a robbery-murder case in Tochigi Prefecture once posted cheerful dance videos on social media and was remembered by those who knew her as an energetic and outgoing young woman.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Entertainment NEWS

Kentarō Ito and Natsuki Deguchi Spark Dating Rumors

Actors Kentarō Ito and Natsuki Deguchi have become the focus of intense speculation after the pair were reportedly seen together late at night in the parking area of an apartment complex.

300-Meter 'Kingdom' Manga Sets World Record

A breakwater in Saga City covered with every page from the first 78 volumes of the hit manga "Kingdom" has been officially recognized by Guinness World Records for the world's longest continuous outdoor display of manga pages.

Traditional Takigi Noh Heralds Early Summer in Ancient Capital of Nara

The traditional event Takigi Noh, which signals the arrival of early summer in the ancient capital, was held on May 15th at Kasuga Taisha Shrine and Kofukuji Temple in Nara City.

'Sheep in the Box' Officially Screened at Cannes Film Festival

Hirokazu Kore-eda’s latest film "Sheep in the Box," which was selected for the competition section at the 79th Cannes International Film Festival in France, received its official screening on May 16th as it competes for the festival’s top prize, the Palme d'Or.

The Lights of Kabuki Go Out in Dōtonbori

Today we have a look at, unfortunately, the final kabuki show to take place at the Shochiku-za theatre in Osaka, the last remaining kabuki venue in Dōtonbori. (Kabuki In-Depth)

Japanese Cinema in Cannes Spotlight

The Cannes Film Festival opened this week with three Japanese films nominated for the festival’s top prize, the Palme d'Or, including 'Sheep in the Box' directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda, 'Nagi Notes' directed by Koji Fukada, and 'Suddenly Feeling Unwell' directed by Ryusuke Hamaguchi.

Japanese Hospitality Principles Event Planners Can Learn From

Japanese hospitality has a reputation for being almost mystically attentive, but the principles behind it are practical and teachable.

Curtain Falls on Osaka’s Beloved Theater

The Osaka Shochikuza theater, which has entertained audiences in Osaka’s Dotonbori district for more than a century through films, kabuki and live performances, will close in June 2026 due to aging facilities and the high cost of renovations.

< 2 3 4 5 >