#OnThisDay

August 3: “Gakusei Promulgation Day” – The Dawn of Education that Supported Japan’s Modernization

Discover the history of August 3, Japan's Gakusei Promulgation Day. Learn how the Meiji era's revolutionary education system shaped modern Japanese culture.

2026.08.03

“What’s Today’s Special Day?” Series

July 23 is “Rice Riot Day”: The Historic Turning Point that Started in a Toyama Fishing Village

Discover the history of Japan's 1918 Rice Riots on July 23. Learn how local housewives changed history and explore the deep cultural significance of rice in Japan.

2026.07.23

“What’s Today’s Special Day?” Series

July 16 is Ekiben Day: The Ultimate Food Culture of Japanese Train Travel

Discover the fascinating history and cultural significance of Ekiben (Japanese railway bento) on July 16, Ekiben Memorial Day. Learn how this unique food culture enhances train travel in Japan.

2026.07.16

“What’s Today’s Special Day?” Series

July 14: Haihan-chiken – The Day Japan Transformed Overnight

Discover the fascinating history of July 14 in Japan, the day of Haihan-chiken. Learn how the samurai domains were abolished overnight to create modern prefectures, and how this historic event shaped traditional Japanese culture.

2026.07.14

“What’s Today’s Special Day?” Series

July 12, 1192: The Dawn of the Samurai Era and the Appointment of Minamoto no Yoritomo

Discover the history of July 12, 1192, when Minamoto no Yoritomo became Japan's first Seii Taishogun. Learn how the Kamakura Shogunate gave birth to the Samurai spirit and shaped Japanese culture forever.

2026.07.12

“What’s Today’s Special Day?” Series

July 10, 645: The Isshi Incident – The Bloody Coup That Forged a Nation

Discover the dramatic events of the Isshi Incident on July 10, 645. Learn how a political assassination at the Asuka Palace led to the Taika Reforms and birthed the centralized Japanese state.

2026.07.10

“What’s Today’s Special Day?” Series

June 27, 1994: The Matsumoto Sarin Incident — The Night That Changed Japanese Society and Media

Discover the history and cultural impact of the 1994 Matsumoto Sarin Incident. Learn how this tragic event on June 27 changed Japanese media, the presumption of innocence, and society.

2026.06.27

“What’s Today’s Special Day?” Series

June 23, 1534: The Birth of Oda Nobunaga, The Warlord Who Reshaped Japan

Discover the dramatic life and legacy of Oda Nobunaga, born on June 23, 1534. Learn how this visionary samurai reshaped Japanese history, culture, and warfare.

2026.06.23

“What’s Today’s Special Day?” Series

The Miraculous Infrastructure That Transformed Edo into a Mega-City: The Completion of the Tamagawa Aqueduct on June 20, 1654

Discover the incredible story of the Tamagawa Aqueduct, completed on June 20, 1654. Learn how a 43km waterway built in just 8 months transformed Edo into modern Tokyo.

2026.06.20

“What’s Today’s Special Day?” Series

June 15 is “Kome Hyappyo Day”: The Ultimate Choice Between Hunger and Creating a Million Sacks for Tomorrow

Discover the true story of Kome Hyappyo Day (June 15). Learn how a ruined Japanese samurai town in 1870 chose to invest in education instead of eating their last 100 sacks of rice, shaping the future of modern Japan.

2026.06.15

“What’s Today’s Special Day?” Series