Japan
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In the Meiji Era (1868 to 1912), Akihabara specialized in domestic goods and accessories, in the inter-war years it was bicycles, but now, it's gadgets galore - from the latest most useful to the latest most useless - Akihabara is the electronics capital of Japan. Electronic retailing began in Akihabara just after World War II when a large demand for radios spurred the growth of a black market. At that time, the main customers were students. They found that by building and selling radios they could make a lot of money. Today the market occupies the alleyways close to JR Akihabara Station.
Akihabara :: Tokyo Essentials :: Tokyo Tourist Guide
by Maria Popova What ancient Japanese castles have to do with costumed gadget-sellers and the legacy of anime. It’s no secret I have a soft spot for children’s books, especially ones with a grown - up spin . So I love Fuzz & Fur: Japan’s Costumed Characters — a quirky compendium of Japanese fur-suit mascots by Tokyo-based designer and illustrator duo Edward and John Harrison . The costumes, known as kigurumi in Japan, have been used to promote anything from bridges and castles to water purification plants to the police to, most notably, prefectures.
Fuzz & Fur: Japan's Peculiar Subculture of Fur-Suit Mascots
The Takayama Festival (高山祭, Takayama Matsuri) is ranked as one of Japan's three most beautiful festivals . It is held twice a year in spring and autumn in the old town of Takayama and attracts large numbers of spectators. Map of the Takayama Festival: The Spring Festival (April 14-15) is the annual festival of the Hie Shrine in the southern half of Takayama's old town .