Japan is home to a wide variety of art and photo magazines.
Japanese art magazines have one of the longest history in the world, beginning with the publication of Kokka(國華 in Japanese) in 1889. Since then, Japanese art—rooted in ancient traditions like Ukiyo-e(浮世絵 in Japanese) and evolving by integrating various global cultures—has progressed in tandem with art magazines, which, alongside galleries and museums, have served as a primary showcase for new works.Reading Japanese art magazines means learning about the history of Japanese art, and in so doing, experiencing the essence that underlies Japanese culture as a whole—from manga, now widely recognized around the world, to Samurai, the tea ceremony, and Geisha.
Because Japan is home to major camera manufacturers such as Nikon, Canon, and Olympus and so on, photography culture has flourished, and an unparalleled number of photography magazines have been published—nearly unmatched by any other country.
These magazines feature not only photographs by professional photographers but also many outstanding works selected from contests held nationwide. Many of these photographs capture the quintessential landscapes of Japan from various eras, allowing readers to experience authentic Japanese culture that transcends time and place.
