When people think about Japan, they often picture ancient shrines, sushi trains, and cherry blossoms. And yeah — all of that’s great. But let’s be honest… for a lot of us, the real obsession started with a controller in hand, an anime binge at 2AM, or humming a J-Pop song you didn’t fully understand but totally felt.
If you grew up playing Final Fantasy, Zelda, or watching endless episodes of Dragon Ball Z, then Japan’s entertainment world probably shaped you more than you realise. And if you’re planning to travel or live in Japan, experiencing it all firsthand is on a whole other level.
In this guide, I’ll take you through some of Japan’s most iconic entertainment — from gaming and anime to J-Pop and football — and share what makes each part so uniquely awesome.
🎮 Gaming in Japan: Where it all began (and never stopped…)
Growing up, some of my best memories were tied to gaming. I still remember booting up my Super Nintendo, hearing that plink from Link to the Past, and later getting emotionally destroyed by Final Fantasy VII on the original PlayStation (Sephiroth… why?! 😩). Those weren’t just games — they were worlds I disappeared into.
And the thing is? All those iconic titles came from Japan. This country didn’t just influence gaming — it invented the blueprint.
Japan is home to gaming royalty:
- Nintendo, where Mario was born.
- Square Enix, creators of the Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest series.
- Sony, which gave us the PlayStation legacy.
- Capcom, Konami, SEGA — the list goes on.
👾 Arcades & Game Centers
Even now, gaming in Japan is massive. Multi-story arcades (called game centers) are still packed with people playing rhythm games, claw machines, and even retro classics. Step into one and you’ll see teens battling it out in Tekken, couples playing Purikura (photo booths), and old-school gamers reliving Street Fighter II.
You don’t have to be a hardcore gamer to enjoy it — it’s just fun. Pure, chaotic, loud fun.
🎢 Super Nintendo World: The Gamer’s Theme Park Dream
Okay… confession time: I haven’t been to Super Nintendo World yet, but it’s absolutely on my bucket list. The second I land in Osaka, that place is going straight on my itinerary. I mean, a real-life Mario-themed park? Come on — it’s like someone ripped the background straight out of a game and turned it into a dream playground.
From everything I’ve seen, it looks incredible — there’s a full Mario Kart ride, life-sized green pipes, and even Power-Up Bands you wear to collect virtual coins around the park. It’s literally a gamified experience!
It’s not just for kids either — so many adults go and relive their childhood memories. I already know it’s going to be one of those “wow, I’m really in Japan” moments when I finally step through those warp pipes 😅
💡 Gaming Culture Today
Modern gaming in Japan still thrives. You’ll see people playing Nintendo Switches on the train, mobile games like Puzzle & Dragons, and cafés dedicated to everything from Pokémon to eSports.
Retro games are huge too — especially in districts like Akihabara (Tokyo) and Den Den Town (Osaka), where you can find rare consoles, collector’s items, and OG cartridges in pristine condition.
🎮 Pro Tip: If you’re learning Japanese, playing JRPGs with Japanese audio and text (and some furigana) is an awesome way to improve your vocab without it feeling like a chore.
📺 Anime & Manga: From Super Saiyan power levels to Pokémon battles…
Anime is the thing that pulls most people into Japanese culture deeper than anything else. I still remember waking up every single morning before school just to watch Dragon Ball Z — eyes glued to the screen, cereal half-eaten, hoping Goku would finally power up in time to stop whoever was trying to destroy the world that week.
That love didn’t stop there! I ended up buying Dragon Ball figures, collecting merch, and playing pretty much every Dragon Ball video game I could get my hands on. (Budokai Tenkaichi 3, anyone?)
Oh, and Pokémon Emerald on the GameBoy Advance? Let’s just say I put in serious hours. Training my Blaziken like it was an elite athlete — that game was elite. Pokémon, as a franchise, was a huge part of my childhood, and like so many others, it acted as a gateway into the anime world.
These days, I still enjoy anime whenever I have time! I really love the modern series like SPYxFAMILY (love the mix of action and slice-of-life comedy) and Demon Slayer, which is everywhere in Japan and honestly some of the cleanest animation I’ve ever seen.
🎥 Anime Isn’t Just for Kids
A lot of people think anime’s just cartoons for kids, but once you dive in, you realise it’s an entire art form. Some stories are fun and light (One Punch Man), some hit deep (Your Name, A Silent Voice), and others are dark, political, and philosophical (Attack on Titan).
What I love most is how anime blends visual storytelling with culture. Even simple things like how characters bow, speak, or navigate school life teach you something about real Japanese society. It’s not just entertainment — it’s immersive cultural insight.
📚 Manga: The Understated OG
Manga is just as influential. It’s more low-key but no less addictive. Whether it’s a wild shonen series, a slice-of-life romance, or a manga about baking bread (yes, that’s a thing), there’s a series for every interest.
Walk into any bookstore in Japan and you’ll see shelves lined with manga — often being read by people of all ages. And as a Japanese learner, manga is a game-changer:
- Furigana helps you read kanji.
- The conversations are real and natural.
- And most importantly, it’s actually enjoyable — way better than staring at a grammar textbook all day!
🗼 The Anime Experience IRL
If you’re into anime, places like Akihabara (Tokyo) and Ikebukuro are your playgrounds. These areas are packed with anime cafés, figure shops, cosplay stores, arcades, and giant gacha machines where you can score exclusive collectibles. It’s a vibe — and the community energy is wild.
Even if you’re not a die-hard fan, it’s hard not to get pulled into the culture. There’s something really special about seeing anime and manga celebrated so openly, and being surrounded by people who are just as passionate about it.
🎵 J-Pop & Japanese Music: From hidden gems to iconic soundtracks…
When people think about Japanese music, they usually jump to the latest anime intro or maybe the occasional viral TikTok J-Pop hit. But for me? Japanese music has been something I’ve really grown to appreciate over time — not just for its sound, but for how much emotion, storytelling, and artistry it carries.
🎧 My Personal Playlist: What I Actually Listen To
My music taste leans toward a mix of underground and mainstream — I love discovering lesser-known artists like AYANE and Soala, whose tracks have this raw, emotional vibe that really hits. But I’m also into bigger names like:
- Aimyon (those acoustic vibes hit different)
- Back Number (they’re masters of chill J-Pop ballads)
- Official HIGE DANdism (catchy, emotional, and polished)
- Mirei, whose voice and lyrics bring a modern, soulful twist
- And yeah… that Dan Da Dan anime intro from Creepy Nuts? That track goes hard — weird name, legendary energy.
🎮 The Soundtracks That Shaped Me
But Japanese music isn’t just about J-Pop. Let’s talk video game soundtracks & anime themes, because honestly? Some of the best music I’ve ever heard came from JRPGs.
- Final Fantasy soundtracks — especially from Nobuo Uematsu — are legendary. From To Zanarkand to Aerith’s Theme, the music sticks with you forever. And don’t get me started on the Final Fantasy VII Rebirth soundtrack… it might just be the best gaming soundtrack of all time. It blends rock, orchestral, ambient, and jazz influences into something that’s seriously next-level (Tifa’s theme is probably my favourite character theme in the franchise, it’s very nostalgic…)
- Chrono Trigger also deserves love — its soundtrack still hits with that beautiful, nostalgic edge that never fades.
- Tales of Series – The Tales of franchise (especially Tales of Symphonia) has some truly underrated tracks. The combination of epic battle themes, emotional town music, and world map soundtracks is just amazing. These games deliver serious vibes! Honestly, one of the most consistently good JRPG soundtracks out there.
- Nintendo Soundtracks – Nintendo’s music is legendary. The Zelda series has some of the most iconic theme songs ever made (Ocarina of Time still gives me goosebumps!), and Mario themes are instantly recognisable around the world. And if you’re just looking for a buffet of legendary game music?
→ Super Smash Bros. Ultimate has a soundtrack that pulls in themes from dozens of franchises — it’s like a musical museum of gaming greatness. - And then you’ve got the Ghibli soundtracks by Joe Hisaishi. If you’ve ever heard the theme from Spirited Away or Howl’s Moving Castle, you know the man is a musical genius.
- My personal favourite? The main theme from Kikujiro — a Takeshi Kitano movie. That one’s slept on, but it’s hauntingly beautiful…
🎤 J-Pop Culture & What’s Big in Japan
In Japan, music is everywhere — cafés, convenience stores, train stations, department stores — you’ll hear J-Pop wherever you go. And the variety is insane.
You’ve got your idol groups like Nogizaka46 and JO1, rising solo stars like Aimer and YOASOBI, and experimental bands mixing jazz, pop, and rock into something totally unique.
What I love most is how unapologetically expressive Japanese music is. Songs go from calm acoustic melodies to full-blown emotional anthems, sometimes in the same track. The visuals are just as important too — music videos, anime openings, and live performances are treated like full art productions.
And whether you’re into pop, rock, hip-hop, R&B, electronic, or orchestral, Japan’s music scene has a sound for every mood.
⚽ Japan National Football Team: Rising stars of the football world…
Let’s talk about one of the fastest-rising forces in international football — the Japan national team. These guys are no longer just underdogs — they’re becoming serious contenders on the world stage.
If you watched the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, you’ll remember when Japan did the unthinkable — they beat Germany and Spain, topping their group and sending shockwaves across the football world. The skill, the energy, the tactical discipline — it was all there. This wasn’t a fluke. This was Japan making a statement.
The team has a growing number of talented young players breaking into top European leagues — like Takefusa Kubo, Kaoru Mitoma, and Ritsu Doan — guys who bring technical flair, speed, and fearlessness to the pitch. And of course, you’ve got experienced players like Yūto Nagatomo and Wataru Endo who give the team that much-needed balance and leadership.
🇯🇵 Football Culture in Japan
Football is huge in Japan. The J-League has a strong domestic following, and matches are often sold out with passionate home support. The league is home to developing talent and rising stars, as well as some experienced international players bringing variety and depth to the game.
But it’s not just the stadiums — football has embedded itself into everyday culture. From kids kicking balls at the park to after-school football clubs, it’s a sport that’s inspired generations.
📺 From the Pitch to the Page: Anime’s Role
Part of what makes football so popular in Japan is how well it’s been represented in anime and manga. You’ve got classic series like Captain Tsubasa, which inspired countless young fans (and even real-world players), and modern series like Blue Lock, which brings an intense, high-stakes twist to the world of striker development and ego-driven competition.
These shows aren’t just entertainment — they create hype, fuel ambition, and make football feel epic in a way only anime can.
🍿 Final Thoughts: Why it all matters…
Japan is a country full of vibrant energy, creativity, and a truly unique sense of entertainment and expression. Whether you’re gaming at a retro arcade in Akihabara, vibing to your favourite J-Pop track on a Tokyo train, binge-watching anime on a rainy day, or cheering on Samurai Blue during a World Cup match — Japanese entertainment hits differently.
And what’s more? Experiencing it in Japan is an entirely different feeling. It’s immersive. It’s electric. It’s like stepping into the worlds that shaped your imagination!
This blog is just the start — we’ll be diving deeper into each of these topics soon with more focused guides and personal takes. So whether you’re new to Japanese entertainment or you’ve been obsessed for years, there’s something here for you.
Thanks for reading — and stick around for the next adventure! 🇯🇵✨
📚 Related Posts
- 🎮 How JRPGs Can Help You Learn Japanese (coming soon)
- 📺 Top 10 Anime for Japanese Listening Practice (coming soon)
- 🗣️ Complete Guide: How to Learn Japanese Language from Zero
- 🏡 Living in Japan – A Practical Guide for First-Time Foreigners