Jess Esa | Freelance Writer | Editor | Trip Planner

Japan Objects • 20th July 2020

Amigurumi: All You Need to Know About Japanese Crochet

“For a beginner, I would recommend a heavier weight yarn like 8-ply and a larger hook size such as a 3.5 mm or 4 mm hook. Which size hook to use with your yarn of choice depends a lot on your stitch tension when you’re holding your yarn too. I...

Metropolis Magazine • 8th January 2020

Five Japanese Novels to Read in 2020 | Books

Last year was a fairly good year for Japanese literature in translation, with breakout books by beloved mystery writer Seishi Yokomizo (“The Honjin Murders”) and newer authors like Hiroko Oyamada (“The Factory”), in addition to translations of...

Japan Objects • 26th October 2020

6 Things You Need to Know About Kumiko Woodworking

Beginning as an artform in the 8th century CE and remaining an active form of carpentry in Japan to this day, kumiko is a uniquely Japanese style of woodwork. The process involves interconnecting carved wooden pieces together, in intricate patterns,...

Japan Objects • 23rd March 2020

Kimono Fabric: All You Need to Know About Japanese Silk

A special clutch that recreates the abstract Okiku Momi tapestry housed in Koetsuji Temple in Kyoto. Designed by Tatsumura Textile who specializes in the restoration of priceless ancient Japanese and Chinese textiles, they’re Kyoto’s esteemed leader...

2nd April 2020

Learning a Foreign Language from Home

This is harder than you might imagine but could very well be the secret to you pursuing your language to a higher level. It’s very difficult to carry on with a language that you don’t have some sort of passion for or a specific goal in mind. Have you...

Savvy Tokyo • 23rd October 2019

The Women of Tokyo International Film Festival 2019

It’s that time of the year again! Last year’s Tokyo film festival was a huge success and 2019 is heading the same way with nine days of films from around the world being showcased from October 28 to November 5. As usual, the films will be shown at...

Savvy Tokyo • 25th November 2019

8 Heartwarming Japanese Books To Read This Winter

Feeling a bit chilly? Grab one of these winter picks for snuggle up to this season. It’s getting to that time of year again — the days are getting shorter, the weather is growing colder, and the urge to dive under the kotatsu is becoming stronger....

Savvy Tokyo • 28th August 2019

The Best Japanese Video Games With Strong Female Characters

The once male-dominated gamer industry is now flooding with not only female gamers, but tenacious female characters as well. While it has never been unheard of to have strong female protagonists in anime and video games, more often than not female...

Savvy Tokyo • 24th July 2019

6 Anime With Compelling Female Protagonists to Enjoy in 2019

An unmissable list of anime with engaging stories and interesting female characters Anime has come a long way in the past decade, with more and more shows either being aimed at women or featuring strong, compelling, and well-rounded female...

Japan Today • 24th June 2019

6 Japanese books to enjoy this summer

Visions of summer holidays often include a beach, a book, and a cocktail, but even if your summer vacation is still a long way ahead, there’s always room for a great Japanese read or two. Whether you want inspiration for new things to do in Tokyo, or...

Savvy Tokyo • 4th February 2019

10 Of The Best Exhibitions To See In Tokyo In 2019

The spotlight is on unique Japanese art. Tokyo’s wonderful art galleries and museums continue to offer us cultural experiences and places to absorb the greatest artworks in history. Not to be left out of your planning for the year ahead, here are ten...

Savvy Tokyo • 15th March 2019

Yu Miri's 'Tokyo Ueno Station' Gives Voice to the Invisible Working Class

There is another side to beauty and glory. Author Yu Miri has had to fight for everything she has. As the daughter of Korean immigrants to Japan, she has struggled through racism and abuse throughout her career as a playwright and a novelist. This...

Act Build Change • 25th July 2019

Generation Share – Books –

The sharing economy isn’t a new concept. Many of you may have heard of several frameworks which exist to offer a mutual-benefit situation based on sharing. Couchsurfing is one, Trusted Housesitters is another, and food sharing apps such as Olio are...

Metropolis Magazine • 22nd October 2018

Five Female Japanese Writers To Read | Books | Metropolis

This past August, as the literary world celebrated Women In Translation month, Japanese female writers rose to the forefront of the conversation. UK publisher and literary magazine Granta published a well-received collection of Japanese short stories...

Tokyo Weekender • 14th November 2018

10 Contemporary Japanese Authors You Should Know

The last few years have seen sales of Japanese translated fiction booming in the West. As a result, more of these talented writers are finally being translated for people to enjoy. Here are some of the contemporary Japanese writers people are talking...

Books and Bao • 7th May 2019

Review: Thirteen Months of Sunrise by Rania Mamoun

Written by Rania Mamoun | Translated from the Sudanese by Elisabeth Jaquette I admittedly went into reading Thirteen Months of Sunrise with high expectations; I haven’t been this excited for a collection since the Iraq +100 (also, coincidently, by...

Savvy Tokyo • 7th June 2019

Being a Translator in Japan: An Interview with Louise Heal Kawai

Born in the north of England, Louise Heal Kawai has made a name for herself translating some of Japan's most popular contemporary literature. Here she tells us about life as a busy working mom and what it's like to collaborate with literary icons. A...

Act Build Change • 22nd April 2019

The Art of Asking – Book Review

Part personal memoir and part guide, Amanda Palmer takes the reader on a journey from her time as a performing statue in Boston, Massachusetts – to her successes as a solo artist. Along the way she extols the power of crowdfunding and creating a...

Savvy Tokyo • 9th January 2019

5 Japanese Books To Read Before You Start Anything New This Year

A few inspirational titles to recharge your optimism batteries for all exciting things that are to come in 2019. Looking for some inspirational books to get you in the mood to embrace everything the new year has coming? Resolutions are made to be...

Savvy Tokyo • 22nd October 2018

8 Films From Tokyo Film Festival 2018 That Everyone Will Soon Be Talking About

This year's lineup begins with "A Star Is Born" and ends with "Godzilla: The Planet Eater." Here's the best of what's in between. This year marks Tokyo Film Festival’s 31st anniversary. With an additional venue added this year, starting from October...