Japan on Vice

The Art of Taboo: Nobuyuki Oura

Artists have always used taboo and controversy to pose questions about society. In the first episode of "The Art of Taboo" we focus on Oura Nobuyuki, who explains the meaning behind his highly controversial portraits of Japan's Showa emperor, titled "Holding Perspective." Full story

Munchies

Hatos Bar

Our buddies from VICE Japan hung out with the crew from Hatos Bar in Tokyo's Naka-Meguro neighborhood. Hatos Bar serves up American-style pit barbecue at its best. Owners Sou Ieki and Dubrai showed us their favorite places to go out and then got wasted before cooking up some barb… Full story

VICE Australia is 10

Fuck Church

As part of a tradition lifted from the Roman Catholic model, members of the devout commune Little Pebble Dohsyuku-kai gather each morning and await secret messages from the Virgin Mary. Full story

VICE Australia is 10

Meow Meow Meow

Cat cafes are huge in Japan right now. As the name suggests, these are coffee shops where cat lovers go to sip overpriced lattes and hang out with an adorable smoosh pile of kitties. Full story

The Future of Japan Is 'Very Dark,' Says Ryu Murakami

Ryu Murakami is one of Japan’s most celebrated and controversial authors. 'From the Fatherland with Love,' published in 2005 and now being translated into English for the first time, envisions a Japan wrecked by complete economic collapse, abandoned by the international community… Full story

Life with Shisei - Horiyoshi III

Our buddies at VICE Japan launched their YouTube channel last year, and the videos have been amazing. Here's an episode of their tattooing show about Horiyoshi III, one of Japan's most beloved and enigmatic tattoo artists. He specializes in full-body tattoo suits, often says myst… Full story

Are Visual Novels Just Porny, Boring Video Games?

Visual novels are like choose-your-own-adventure books that you play on your computer, if choose-your-own adventures ended not in the Gypsy woman’s curse coming true, but in graphic, porny sex scenes. They can be gay themed or set in a lusty fantasy world; they can be sweet and r… Full story

The Cute Show

Capybara Bathhouse!

The capybara at Nagasaki Bio Park in Japan love to take dips in the park's hot springs. The park allows visitors to get up close with the animals, so we tried our best to make friends with these shy little beasts. Full story

How Deep-Sea Mud Found Off a Tiny Japanese Island May Change the Gadget Economy

China pretty much dominates the world market for rare earth elements, but a huge find underneath Japan's seas may now help break that stranglehold. Full story

HI Shredability

Typhoon Surfers

California-based pro surfer Alek Parker travels the world in search of monster waves caused by hurricanes. He recently visited Japan to catch the big waves that only happen once a year during typhoon season, and we followed him around with a camera. Full story