Free English Databases
Structured, searchable databases on Japanese culture and history — written entirely in English. Every entry sourced from official Japanese public records.
Browse Databases
All 244 crafts designated under Japan's Act for the Promotion of Traditional Craft Industries. Textiles, ceramics, lacquerware, metalwork, and more — each with origin, prefecture, and history.
Every castle on the official Japan Castle Foundation's "100 Famous Castles" and "100 More Famous Castles" lists. Includes location maps, construction era, and castle type.
89 renowned sake breweries from across Japan, from legendary Nada and Fushimi to hidden gems in Tohoku and Kyushu. Each entry features founding year, signature brand, and an interactive location map.
200 Japanese surnames and 200 given names with English meanings, kanji, hiragana, and cultural context. Browse by gender, era, element, or anime character.
All 247 Japanese imperial era names (元号, gengō) from Taika in 645 CE to the current Reiwa era. Each entry covers kanji characters, meaning, reigning emperor, and historical period.
Etymology of all 47 prefectures and 66 historical provinces — why the kanji often mean one thing but the true origin is something else entirely. Includes pre-Meiji domain names and ruling clans.