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Flickr@JosefeAkaHipnosapo
Japan Travel Guide
©
Flickr@JosefeAkaHipnosapo
If you cannot name a single famous Japanese person, apart from the characters starring in animation films such as "Captain Tsubasa" or "Dragon Ball", you will need to do a bit of revision before your visit to Japan.
Joking apart, Yamaha and Honda are definitely the most well known and famous Japanese names throughout the world. Before becoming motorcycle brands these iconic names were the names of the designers.
Perhaps you have already heard this name, that of the most famous film director. Takeshi Kitano Born in Tokyo in 1947, his reputation was built around two fantastic films, "Sonatine" and "Blood and bones". These violent films often show scenes of the yakuza.
Well known for his talent in the field of architecture, Tadao Ando is famous throughout the world. He was born in Osaka in 1941. He has built constructions in Tokyo and also in Paris. He has also worked on a project for a tower building more than 600 metres high. He will no doubt receive further architectural awards.
Takashi Murakami is the most representative of all Japanese artists. Born in Tokyo in 1962, his work is exhibited throughout the world.
Hayao Miyazaki is without a doubt the superstar of animated films.. Originally from Tokyo where he was born in 1941, you will have heard of his major works. You will surely have seen "My Neighbour Totoro", Princess Mononoke", "Spirited Away" or "Howl's Moving Castle".
Born in 1981 Shizuka Arakawa is the most famous sportsperson in Japan. She is just one notch below all those sumo wrestlers who have been elevated to the status of living gods. Yet, her world championship titles in 2004 and her Olympic gold medal in 2006 for figure skating have ensured her fame.
As you probably already know, the animated characters of your childhood or the manga so loved by your little ones all come from Japan, and this will be confirmed during your visit. All these heroes: Olive and Tom, the awful fighters of Dragon Ball, the famous Knights of the zodiac and more recently Pikachu or the addictive tamagotchis, here you have the most famous celebrity exports
Even though they are only fictional characters, few Japanese people have experienced such worldwide fame.
