#OnThisDay

“What’s Today’s Special Day?” Series

April 16, 2016: The Shock of the Kumamoto Earthquake and Japan’s Unwavering Spirit of Resilience

Discover the significance of April 16 in Japan. Learn about the 2016 Kumamoto Earthquake, the devastating impact on Kumamoto Castle, and Japan's enduring culture of resilience and restoration.
“What’s Today’s Special Day?” Series

April 15th: The Opening of Tokyo Disneyland. How the Magic Kingdom Merged with Japanese Culture

Discover the history of April 15th, Tokyo Disneyland's opening day. Learn how Japanese Omotenashi hospitality and Kawaii culture transformed the park into a unique experience.
“What’s Today’s Special Day?” Series

April 6: The Charter Oath and the Dawn of Modern Japan

Discover how the Charter Oath of April 6, 1868, ended the samurai era and launched Japan's rapid modernization. Explore the fusion of Japanese tradition and Western democracy in our detailed historical guide.
“What’s Today’s Special Day?” Series

March 30 is “Nobunaga’s Ambition Day”: The Dawn of Japanese Historical Simulations

Discover why March 30 is Nobunaga's Ambition Day. Dive deep into the legacy of Japan's most famous samurai, Oda Nobunaga, and how a revolutionary video game shaped Japanese pop culture and history.
“What’s Today’s Special Day?” Series

March 29: The Day of Yaoya Oshichi – A Love that Burned a City

Discover the profound history of March 29th in Japan: Yaoya Oshichi's Day. Learn how a 16-year-old girl's desperate arson for love in the Edo period transformed into legendary Kabuki theater and shaped Japanese culture.
“What’s Today’s Special Day?” Series

March 25: Oshio Heihachiro’s Rebellion (1837) – The Day an Elite Samurai Sacrificed Everything to Save the Starving

Discover the true story of Oshio Heihachiro's Rebellion on March 25, 1837. Learn how an elite samurai risked his life to save the starving citizens of Osaka, shaping Japanese culture and history forever.
“What’s Today’s Special Day?” Series

March 23: The Fateful Day Where the Samurai Era Began and Violently Ended

Discover the dramatic events of March 23 in Japanese history. From Tokugawa Ieyasu becoming Shogun to the brutal Sakuradamon Incident in the snow, explore how the samurai era shaped modern Japan.
“What’s Today’s Special Day?” Series

March 19th: The Birth of “Hato Bus” – Exploring Japanese Hospitality and Post-War Recovery Through Tokyo’s Iconic Yellow Buses

Discover the history of Tokyo's famous yellow Hato Bus, which began operations on March 19, 1949. Learn how it reflects post-war recovery and the true spirit of Japanese "Omotenashi" hospitality.
“What’s Today’s Special Day?” Series

March 9, 1958: The Day Honshu and Kyushu Were Connected Under the Sea

Discover the Kanmon Tunnel, opened on March 9, 1958. Learn about this rare walkable undersea tunnel connecting Honshu and Kyushu, its incredible 21-year engineering history, and the profound Japanese cultural events surrounding the Kanmon Straits.
“What’s Today’s Special Day?” Series

March 8, 1984: The Release of “Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind” that Changed Anime History

Discover the profound Japanese cultural roots and animistic beliefs behind Hayao Miyazaki's masterpiece, "Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind," released on March 8, 1984.