For this issue, we decided to take a slightly different path, by featuring Japanese anime on our cover.
It may seem like a departure from the destinations and traditions that jStyle has long celebrated. Yet, anime, too, carries the essence of Japan— imagination, emotion, and the quiet pursuit of beauty that resonates far beyond its borders.
Alongside this, I wanted to shine a light on a place that embodies that same spirit in a tangible way: Matsumoto City in Nagano Prefecture.
Cradled by the Japanese Alps, Matsumoto is a city where art, history, and nature coexist in perfect harmony. Walking its streets or standing before the timeless beauty of Matsumoto Castle, you feel the same creative heartbeat that flows through Japan’s subcultures. This is a reminder that inspiration often begins in places of stillness.
In this issue, I hope you sense both sides of Japan: the vibrant pulse of its pop culture, and the serene grace of its landscapes. Together, they tell a story of creativity rooted in spirit. Of a country always finding new ways to dream.
With heartfelt thanks,
Kazuya Baba
Publisher / Editor-in-Chief
