niche_japan2025 | Page 15

The Sacred Land of One Piece: “Smoky Mountain” (Philippines) — The Real-Life Model for the Goa Kingdom’s Garbage Hill, the “Gray Terminal,” Where Luffy, Ace, and Sabo Spent Their Childhood

Once existing in Manila, Philippines, Smoky Mountain was a place of hardship, yet also of incredible resilience. The people who lived there are said to have inspired the world of ONE PIECE. Its fictional counterpart, the Gray Terminal, serves as a symbolic stage portraying inequality, hope, and the will to survive. By connecting reality and fiction, we explore One Piece’s timeless message about human dignity and the pursuit of freedom.

2025.10.13

CONTENTONE PIECE

Does Oslo Have a Kanji Representation? How Japanese People Perceive the Capital of Norway

Oslo, Norway’s capital, is a fascinating city where nature, art, and sports coexist.Nevertheless, in Japanese, there is no official Kanji representation for “Oslo.”Through this linguistic perspective, this article explores how Japanese people express empathy and admiration toward Scandinavian culture.

2025.10.13

LOANWORD

What Image Do Japanese People Have of Jiangsu Province? The Capital is Nanjing – A Chinese Intellectual Metropolitan Area Where History and Economy Harmonize

Centered around the ancient capital of Nanjing, Jiangsu Province combines deep cultural heritage with powerful economic vitality. To many Japanese, it is seen as a place of wisdom, tranquility, and perfect balance between tradition and modernity. This article unveils the essence of Jiangsu by examining its historical evolution, industrial progress, and growing sports culture.

2025.10.13

TOPIC

The Sacred Site of “Demon Slayer”: Izumo Daijingu Shrine in Kyoto – A Place to Feel Kyojuro Rengoku’s “Breath of Flame” and the Deeper Meaning of Fire in the Story

In Demon Slayer, Kyojuro Rengoku, the Flame Hashira, stands as a symbol of strength and compassion.His spirit finds a reflection in Izumo Daijingu Shrine in Kyoto’s Kameoka City—a sacred place devoted to the worship of fire.Here, the age-old belief in the purifying and guiding power of flame merges with Rengoku’s ideal of being a light for others.Amid the divine glow, visitors discover their own reason to burn brightly.

2025.10.13

CONTENTDemon Slayer

The sacred “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba” site — Takehisa Yumeji Art Museum (Tokyo) — captures the atmosphere of the Taisho era, attracting fans who wish to delve deeper into the series’ world and aesthetic

The works of Takehisa Yumeji, an artist who captured both the elegance and melancholy of the Taisho era, share profound ties with the aesthetic and emotional core of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba. At the Takehisa Yumeji Art Museum, visitors can experience the living culture of that period and discover the timeless beauty of Japan that underlies the story’s world.

2025.10.13

CONTENTDemon Slayer

Is Vanuatu Written in Kanji as “瓦努阿図”? The Impressions Japanese People Have of This Island Nation in Oceania

The name “Vanuatu” comes from Melanesian words meaning “our land.” Its kanji representation, “瓦努阿図,” is a phonetic reflection of that phrase, symbolizing independence and unity. This article delves into Vanuatu’s history, culture, and sports while uncovering why Japanese people view this Pacific nation with admiration and curiosity.

2025.10.13

LOANWORD

The Kanji Representation of Comoros is “科摩羅” — What Image Do Japanese People Have of This Island Nation in the Indian Ocean, Located North of Madagascar off the East Coast of Africa?

Comoros — a country rarely mentioned in Japan — is written in kanji as “科摩羅.” Though small and located north of Madagascar, its presence in the world is far from minor. With its rich nature, deep spirituality, and growing international connections through sports and education, Comoros stands as a nation of quiet yet powerful harmony.

2025.10.13

LOANWORD

Dōjōji Temple in Wakayama — The Sacred Site of KOKUHO The Ancient Temple of the Anchin and Kiyohime Legend, the Stage for the Dance “Two Dōjōji”

For over a millennium, the legend of Anchin and Kiyohime has been passed down as one of Japan’s most poignant tales.At Dōjōji Temple in Wakayama, the setting of that legend, the film KOKUHO breathes new life into the story—a place where human passion and prayer merge into the timeless landscape of Japan’s soul.

2025.10.12

CONTENTKOKUHO

The Sacred Filming Site of “KOKUHO” – Yabuki Residence (Okayama Prefecture), Used as the Home and Training Hall of the Prestigious Hanai Kabuki Family

The world of KOKUHO finds its embodiment in the Yabuki Residence, a timeless Japanese estate in Okayama.Amid the scent of wood, the interplay of light and shadow, and the enveloping stillness, dwell the essence of Japanese architecture and the spirit of performance art.Together with the story of the Hanai family, this residence continues to captivate audiences as a living stage of enduring tradition.

2025.10.12

CONTENTKOKUHO

What Is Wasabi? The Essential Traditional Condiment in Japanese Cuisine — A Fragrant Spice That Has Evolved Alongside Japan’s Food Culture

Many people around the world know wasabi from sushi restaurants, but few have experienced true, freshly grated Japanese wasabi. This unique plant offers not only flavor but also a cultural experience that reflects Japan’s connection to nature and subtlety. Learn how wasabi is grown, used, and appreciated in Japan.

2025.10.12

LOANWORD