Don Magazine

Don Magazine is a quarterly print publication based in Osaka, Japan.

We celebrate artists, thinkers, performers, and writers - not necessarily professionals, but individuals compelled to create meaningful work.Founded in 2022, Don Magazine is an all-volunteer production. Our team is composed of professionals, teachers, artists, designers, translators, and authors who share a deep appreciation for art and culture. With a thoughtful yet approachable tone, we aim to spotlight voices shaped by the everyday — from the streets of Osaka to communities around the globe. Whether it is a painter sketching at home before work or a poet writing notes on a late-night train, Don Magazine creates a space for creative expression.Our mission is to cultivate a community that values creativity in all its forms. We provide a platform for emerging and underrepresented voices, foster meaningful dialogue, and encourage curiosity and collaboration across disciplines.Don Magazine welcomes submissions from Japan and abroad. We are currently seeking contributions in the following areas:Written Word: fiction, poetry, essays, interviews, and translationsVisual Arts: photography, video, painting, illustration, and digital artPerformance: live acts (music, movement, spoken word, etc.) for our Osaka-based release partiesIf you would like to be part of a growing creative community and share your work with a wider audience, we encourage you to submit.

Magazine Submissions

Now Accepting submissions

Issue 11 RED 赤
Deadline: 2025.06.01Issue 12 MASK マスク
Deadline: 2025.08.24Issue 13 WORD 文
Deadline: 2025.10.26Don Magazine is an all-volunteer-run publication, and our contributors (like our editors) are not compensated financially. As a token of our appreciation, contributors receive a complimentary copy of the print issue in which their work is featured. We ask that they pay for any extra shipping fees.What We PublishWe welcome submissions in a range of formats and genres, guided by a specific theme for each issue. Accepted formats include creative writing, fiction, poetry, essays, interviews, reviews, translations, or any combination of these. In addition to written work, we welcome visual essays, collections of art based on a theme, and video works—especially those that can be featured at our release parties and public screenings.Our Focus: Japan and BeyondDon Magazine publishes work that connects meaningfully to Japan—particularly through the lens of personal experience. We are especially interested in how artists, writers, and creatives engage with life in Japan: the everyday, the unexpected, the challenging, and the inspiring.While your work does not need to focus explicitly on Japanese culture, it should reflect some aspect of your lived experience in Japan or how your time here has shaped your creative practice. We also welcome broader intercultural exploration and encourage contributors to approach cultural differences with nuance and specificity, avoiding generalizations and clichés.What We Look ForWe are interested in work that reflects the artist’s lived experience in Japan—whether through moments of connection, contrast, challenge, or discovery. We value specific, grounded insights that emerge from daily life and creative practice, rather than surface-level impressions. Our aim is to share perspectives that contribute to thoughtful, cross-cultural dialogue.We sometimes experience a backlog of submissions, particularly for poetry and fiction. As we try to curate each issue around themes that resonate with one another, we may hold submissions until the right context emerges. If this is the case, we will notify you about the status of your piece.By submitting to Don Magazine, you agree to allow us to cross-post your work on our website and social media. If you would prefer to opt out of this, please let us know when you submit your work.Submission GuidelinesPlease follow the format guidelines below to ensure your work is considered:Writings: Please submit your work as a Word document. Length: 800 - 1,500 words. Feature articles may be up to 3,000 words, but in such cases, you’ll need to work closely with Don editors to help develop the potential of initial drafts.Graphic Material: Submit as JPG or PNG files. Minimum resolution: 2480 × 3500 pixels at 300 ppi.Video: Submit a link to your video (2–30 minutes in length). Please also include either a selection of still images (JPG format) or an A4-size movie poster (PDF format).File Naming: Name your file as follows: Don-THEME-YourSurname.doc (e.g., Don-RED-Yamamoto.doc).Bio: Include a brief bio (maximum 50 words) with any URLs or social media handles you’d like us to include if your submission is published.Submission EmailDo not send submissions to our general contact address as those will not be reviewed by our editorial team. Please send your submission to [email protected]Submission DisclaimerBy submitting to Don Magazine you warrant and represent that you own or otherwise control all of the rights of the image/materials necessary to provide, post and upload the image (including but not limited to images, artwork, graphics, text, documents and/or video files.) Once a media file is submitted, you are granting Don Magazine full rights to reproduce the media in publications or other media material produced, used or contracted by Don Magazine including but not limited to: magazines, social media, videos, websites, etc. Don Magazine assumes no liability for any issues that may arise with the copyright or trademark of image usage, this is the sole responsibility of the submitting artist to resolve. This includes all claims, damages, obligations, losses, liabilities, costs or debt, and expenses resulting from the artist’s breach of this disclaimer submitting the image.Response TimeAs Don Magazine is entirely volunteer-run, we regret that we are unable to respond to all unsuccessful submissions. To give your work the best chance of being considered, please follow our submission guidelines carefully.We look forward to reading your work!

Submit

2025 Calendar

Deadlines, Themes, and Parties

Issue 11 RED 赤06/01 - Submission Deadline
06/29 - Release Party at Nambar10Issue 12 MASK マスク08/24 - Submission Deadline
09/28 - Release Party at Nambar10Issue 13 WORD 文10/26 - Submission Deadline
12/07 - Release Party at Nambar10

Support Don Magazine

Support Don Magazine through donations, volunteering, and other meaningful ways.

At Don Magazine, we believe in the power of art and culture to transform lives. As an all-volunteer-run publication, we rely on the generosity of supporters like you to keep our work alive and thriving. Every contribution helps us continue to celebrate the creativity that shapes our world.There are several ways you can support Don Magazine:Buy a Print Copy: Purchase a physical copy of Don Magazine and bring the art and stories of Osaka and beyond into your hands. Available to buy online.Donate: Your generous donations enable us to cover production costs, support local artists, and continue publishing quarterly in print. Every donation, large or small, makes a direct impact.Volunteer: Join our team of passionate individuals. We welcome volunteers with various skill sets - from graphic design and writing to event planning and outreach.Limited Advertising & Sponsorships: Support Don Magazine through advertising or sponsorship opportunities, and gain exposure to a dedicated and engaged creative audience. For more information on advertising packages, please contact us directly.Your support not only helps us maintain the magazine but also fosters the artistic community we aim to nurture. By contributing to Don Magazine, you are helping amplify the voices of emerging creatives and making a difference in the cultural landscape of Osaka and beyond.If you’re ready to support Don Magazine, please choose one of the options above. We are incredibly grateful for your involvement.

Donate

Don Art Store

We created a mini art store. Artists can now sell their art at our release parties!

The store will be set up similar to a record shop where people can flip through a box of art prints. All art will be inside an A4 protective sleeve backed by thick card stock. Inside the sleeve is the art print and on the outside of the sleeve is a label with the artist’s name, title of art, media, edition, and artist bio.The artist pays ¥500 for an A4 size sleeve to put their art in. Art size is limited to A4 or smaller. Each sleeve is limited to one print, but artists can buy multiple sleeves. The artist sets the price for their art and gets 100% of the proceeds.Artists will receive their proceeds in person at a release party or via electronic money transfer minus any banking transaction fees.Don magazine will keep the art to sell for one year (4 release parties). The artist can reclaim their art at a release party after one year or at any time before if they choose. The ¥500 fee will not be refunded.If you are interested in selling your art at a Don release party please fill out the form below. Don magazine will use the form to make a label. Bring your art to the next release party. Pay the fee then give your art to the Don staff to put in the sleeve, label, and add to the store collection.Remember to sign, date, and edition your art on the front or back.We look forward to working with you.

Application

Release Party

DON Magazine presents its 11th Issue “Red” at Swissotel in Namba

Release Party InfoTheme: Red2025.06.29 (Sunday)
15:00 - 22:00Free entry & free magazine
Live Performances, Drinks & Food!ACCESS: Nambar10 10th floor
Swissotel Nankai Osaka