The Places Behind the Races: Japan Edition
Delve into Japanese pop culture in the lead up to the F1 Grand Prix.
“Meet me at the intersection of motorsport and pop culture” - where the seed for my publication was planted (and my bio for Paddock Culture socials).
Throughout the 2025 season, Formula 1 will be visiting 24 different locations across 21 different countries. The global expanse of the sport is one of its best features, but I find that we don’t often talk about the places behind the races. With that in mind, I thought I would start a new mini-series of posts where I let you know everything fun and trending in the many locations that Formula 1 visits. From events and national holidays to movies and food trends, I have you covered. So, let’s get to it!
Events and Holidays
~ Hanami
It’s Sakura season! Also known as Hanami in Japan. People travel from all over the world to see the stunning cherry blossom (Sakura) trees in full bloom. These trees bring in huge crowds, and it is common for people to have ‘Hanami parties’. At these parties, groups gather under the Sakura trees with food and drink to commemorate the arrival of spring - how sweet and wholesome!
~ Takayama Spring Festival
The Takayama Spring Festival is a traditional festival held annually in mid-April. The festival is registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage and is held to pray for a good harvest. The festival features a procession of large floats that can move and dance, as well as traditional performances, including lion dances. At night, the floats are illuminated by lanterns, which makes for a stunning show.
Popular Television (Netflix Top 10)
The Great Cleric
After being shot, an office worker is reincarnated in another world as a teen with healing powers — and must find a way to survive in his new life
The Hot Spot
Kiyomi is a single mom who’s no stranger to life’s ups and downs. So when she stumbles upon an alien, she ropes him into fixing her chaotic world.
Until I Destroyed My Husband’s Other Family
Minori Kisaragi's life seems picture-perfect until news of her husband's 15-year-long affair sends her into a revenge-fuelled spiral.
The Apothecary Diaries
There’s a new mystery in the Imperial Court and the only ones who can solve it are those who know what goes on inside: Maomao and Jinshi.
Mogura
Based on real events, narcotics officer Shokichi Izanagi goes undercover to infiltrate a group of hip-hop artists suspected of drug trafficking.
Adolescence
When a 13-year-old is accused of the murder of a classmate, his family, therapist and the detective in charge are all left asking: what really happened?
Who Saw the Peacock Dance in the Jungle?
After her ex-cop father is murdered on Christmas Eve, Komugi finds a letter hinting at a dark conspiracy and teams up with a lawyer to uncover the truth.
SAKAMOTO DAYS
Once the greatest hitman of all, Taro Sakamoto, retired in the name of love. But when his past catches up, he must fight to protect his beloved family.
When Life Gives You Tangerines
In Jeju, a spirited girl and a steadfast boy's island story blossoms into a lifelong tale of setbacks and triumphs — proving love endures across time.
Hell For You
Seeking revenge after being framed for a murder 14 years ago, Sachiko changes her appearance and infiltrates a popular influencer's home as a babysitter.
Top 5 Movies ( Cinema Releases)
Doaemon: Nobita’s Art World Tales
Set in the magnificent world of medieval Europe depicted in paintings. Doraemon and his friends jump into the "world of the painting" joined by Claire and her friends Milo and Chai as they embark on a great adventure!
Snow White
2025 Remake. A princess joins forces with seven dwarfs to liberate her kingdom from her cruel stepmother, the Evil Queen.
Wicked
Elphaba, a young woman ridiculed for her green skin, and Galinda, a popular girl, become friends at Shiz University in the Land of Oz. After an encounter with the Wonderful Wizard of Oz, their friendship reaches a crossroads.
Shonen to Inu
Six months after the earthquake disaster in Sendai City, Kazumasa Nakagaki is a young man who has lost his job. He encounters a dog named Tamon on its dog tag, who lost its owner in the earthquake disaster. Kazumasa decides to take Tamon in, and the dog becomes attached to him and his family, but Tamon always seems concerned about something in the south direction. One day, while Kazumasa is involved in a dangerous incident, Tamon disappears. Later, in Shiga, Tamon is with Miwa Sugai, who has a sad secret. Kazumasa reunites with Tamon, and they start a new life together. Nevertheless, Tamon heads south because Tamon has a promise it wants to keep to a boy.
Conclave
When Cardinal Lawrence is tasked with leading one of the world's most secretive and ancient events, selecting a new Pope, he finds himself at the center of a web of conspiracies and intrigue that could shake the very foundation of the Catholic Church.
Top 5 Movies (Netflix)
Lovesick Ellie
Eriko experiences a roller coaster of emotions when the boy she likes discovers she’s been anonymously posting about her love for him on social media.
The Electric State
An orphaned teen hits the road with a mysterious robot to find her long-lost brother, teaming up with a smuggler and his wisecracking sidekick
Faceless
As escaped prisoner Kaburagi leads the authorities on a desperate chase through Japan, can a Tokyo-based journalist help him prove his innocence?
Detective Conan the Movie: Black Iron Submarine
While in Hachijo-jima, Conan discovers that nefarious forces are infiltrating a new high-tech international law enforcement system.
Revelations
A pastor who believes in divine revelation and a detective haunted by visions pursue a missing person case – exposing their own demons in the process.
Billboard Japan Top 10 Songs (This Week)
Lilac - Mrs. GREEN APPLE
Barrier - SixTONES
Kaiju - sakanaction
Hey Rasshai! (Nippon De Aimashou) – Rosy Chronicle
Koi Ha Baisoku – Boku Ha Mitakatta Aozora
Darling – Mrs. GREEN APPLE
Bow and Arrow – Kenshi Yonezu
Yume no Uchuryoko – Southern All Stars
APT. – ROSE & Bruno Mars
Rock this Party – timeless
Popular Food & Drink
Sushi - a staple in all its different varieties! From Maki to Nigiri and Inarizu, Sushi is still enjoyed by the masses in Japan.
Yakiniku - also known as Korean barbecue. This one doesn’t surprise me at all; Korean barbecue has been having its moment recently!
Bubble tea - this is the drink that is having its moment globally, but I love that it's still consumed so much in Japan, too. So many of my friends adore bubble tea, so I need to try this asap!
Onigiri - also known as rice balls. These ones are usually made from white rice and are formed into triangular or cylindrical shapes and then wrapped in nori. Sounds delicious!
Souffle Pancakes - yes, those really fluffy ones! I’m still to try these, but I know they are another food that has been taking over the world, not just Japan.
My favourite part of starting this series has been discovering what parts of Japanese pop culture are shared with the rest of the world and what parts are unique to Japan. TV shows like Adolescence and movies like Snow White and Wicked have also been huge topics of discussion and have become embedded into UK pop culture, too. However, I haven’t heard of so many of the TV shows, movies, and songs before, but they sound so good!
I hope you have enjoyed this little dive into life in Japan right now, and I can’t wait to delve into more of these things for the upcoming F1 race locations!
Ooooh thanks for these recs! I have seen none of the tv shows, so it's going directly on my to-watch list. Also despite my gluten intolerance, I know that the first thing I'll do when I can finally go to Japan is to eat these soufflé pancakes: I'm obsessed.
I loved this!