漫画(まんが, manga)--- 日本のサブカルチャー（nihon no sabukaruchaa) Japanese Subculture 2

  漫画（まんが、manga)

  From “One Piece” and “Naruto” to “Doraemon” and “Sazae-san,” manga (comic books or cartoons) have been the heart of Japanese pop culture.
  It was created in Japan, or by Japanese creators in the Japanese language, conforming to a style developed in Japan in the late 19th century. They have a long, complex pre-history in earlier Japanese art.
  In Japan, people of all ages read manga. The medium includes works in a broad range of genres: action-adventure, romance, sports and games, historical drama, comedy, science fiction and fantasy, mystery, suspense, detective, horror, sexuality, and business/commerce, among others.
Most “anime,” “cosplay” and other made-in-Japan examples of “otaku” (“nerd”) culture that have spread worldwide would not exist without “manga”
Top-selling mangas in April 2013 are [「進撃の巨人(Shingeki no Kyojin)」,　「One piece」, 「宇宙兄弟 (Uchuu Kyoodai)」,　「バジリスクー甲賀忍法帖(Bajirisukuu Kooga ninpochoo)」,　「黒子のバスケ (Kuroko no Basuke)」.

アニメ(anime, Animation) --- 日本のサブカルチャー (nihon no sabukaruchaa) Japanese Subculture 1

アニメ (anime, Animation)

 Anime (animation) has gained popularity as one of Japanese culture around the world over the past half century. Japanese animation started in 1917, and the characteristic anime style developed in the 1960s-notably with the work of Osamu Tezuka such as 鉄腕アトム(tetsuwan atomu, Mighty Atom). Anime is distributed via television, video, video games, commercials and Internet as well as at theaters.

 Most popular Japanese anime characters: Doraemon, Totoro, Mario, Astro Boy, Pikachu, Sazae-san, Chibi Maruko-chan, Kureyon Shin-chan, Son Goku, Lupin III, Arale-chan, Amuro Rei (Gundam),   Nobita Nobi (Doraemon), GeGeGe no Kitaro, Kenshiro, Bakabon no Papa (バカボンのパパ), Ashita no Joe, etc.

Kenshiro

Astro Boy

Kitaro

                                  Gegege No Kitaro ( Entry of Neko-musume)

                                              Tensai Bakabon

日本の料理 (nihon no ryoori) Japanese Cuisine 2

 駅弁 (ekiben)

Ekiben, boxed meals sold at railway stations with long-distance trains are very popular among the Japanese.  They are typically filled with locally grown ingredients and dishes unique to their region, and their wrapping paper usually depicts the scenery or a specialty of the particular place. One of the joys of travelling in Japan is eating ekiben and local food.

                                   Otaru --Yaki-taraba-bento (crab meat)

                                       Sendai--- Gyutan bento (beef tongue)

                   
                      Yokohama-- Chuuka bento (shuumai dampling, ｓweet and chili shrimp)

                               Shin-Osaka-- Midosuji bento (conger eel, takoyaki)

                            Nishi-Akashi-- Hippari-dako meshi (octopus, conger eel)

                                   Hiroshima--Shamoji-kaki-meshi ( oyster)                           

                            
                                   Tottori-- Ikasumi-bento Kuro-meshi ( squid ink)

                                 Hakata--Hakata-mentai bento (spicy cod roe)

                                 Nagasaki-- Rantan bento (chiken soboro, egg soboro)