Exploring the Japanese Countryside
Whether you've been to Japan's rural parts or not, get ready to explore the Japanese countryside with a jittery boy and his cameraman dad!
Bespectacled Rice Made by Farmers with Glasses
This product literally puts a face with a name!
Rice Field Art—Not a Form of Crop Circle
Although the outer space theme may throw you off, this rice field art was not designed by extraterrestrial beings, but by the residents of Gyoda City in Saitama Prefecture.
6 Great Innovations from Japan's Countryside
From urban planning and fish farming to food recycling and the re-invigoration of traditional techniques, a number of great ideas have come out of Japan's smaller towns and cities.
3 Okayama Burgers Full of Local Flavor
Okayama is known for its blue jeans—and with such classic Americana on-hand, it's no wonder the prefecture is also home to some pretty classy burgers!
Hydroponic Greens Grown Under the Tokyo Metro
Tokyo's elevated train spaces might be shaded from the sun, dreary and have most often been turned into bicycle and car parking, but surprisingly, where the sun doesn’t shine turns out to be an ideal setting for a garden.
Recovery Five Years After 3.11
As March 11, 2016 marks the fifth anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake, Highlighting Japan offers an update on the results and challenges of recovery efforts in the Tohoku region.
Things I Love About Japan: Rice Fields
There is nothing quite like rice fields in the Japanese countryside.
The Ise-Shima G7 Summit Regions
10 cities around the country were selected to host ministerial meetings surrounding the 2016 G7 Summit in Ise-Shima. From education to IT and agriculture, each was selected for a very specific reason!
These Cantaloupes Are Ripe With Cuteness
Hokkaido's Hello Kitty melons are just too cute to slice into! But you'd better hurry if you want one since only 300 are available!
Have a Vegetable Garden Right in Your Kitchen
Without even requiring soil, this gardening pod gives farm-to-fork a whole new meaning.
This Company Certainly has a Green Thumb!
Temporary staffing company Pasona Group is giving a whole new meaning to the term 'green business.'
Wonders of Japan: Harmony with Nature
Experience a traditional recycling-oriented lifestyle.
8 Ways to Learn Japanese for (Almost) Free!
Learning Japanese can be easy, fun, and nearly free if you're ready to take on the challenge of getting more locally immersed!
Hungry for Ghibli-Style Animation?
If you're hungry for some Ghibli-style animation, look no further than this gorgeous video promoting locally sourced food in Kumamoto—made by the assistant director of 'Princess Mononoke'!
Niigata: The 'Ricebasket' of Japan
Located on the Sea of Japan in northwest Honshu, Niigata City is one of Japan’s most fertile farming areas. But there are plenty of things to see other than rice!
An Offer You Can't Refuse!
While many rural areas of Japan are giving a small stipend to pay for housing, one area of Kagoshima is pulling out all the stops to bring in new residents.
A Taste of Green Tourism in Traditional Japan
Despite their combined population of only 900, the villages of Shunran no Sato drew 11,000 visitors in 2014, attracted by the prospect of experiencing traditional Japanese life from locals only too happy to share.
16 Superb Views Found in Kyushu
Introducing the natural landscapes and gorgeous harmony you'll find only in Kyushu!
6 Foreigners Making Waves in the Countryside
Japanese Countryside Deeper Japan
Most of the subjects of this story didn't see themselves where they are now—but all of them found something incredible in the Japanese countryside, leading each to develop a unique and indelible bond to the local community.
