All About Japan

Iwami Art Museum Celebrates Legendary Fashion Designer Hanae Mori

A remarkable exhibition spotlighting the pioneering fashion designer Hanae Mori is under way at Iwami Art Museum in the stunning Shimane Arts Center complex (aka “Grand Toit”) in Shimane Prefecture.

Books

Christopher Harding: Bringing Japan’s History and Culture to a Wide Audience

An interview with Christopher Harding, historian and author, who explores Japan’s culture and history through books that blend narrative flair with scholarship.

Japanese Wine

Niigata

Niigata Wine Coast: A Wine Region Built From Scratch

The Niigata Wine Coast may just be the most beautiful wine region in Japan, and is perfect for a weekend getaway.

Tokyo

Uncharted Tokyo 3｜Hahajima’s Sustainable Farm: Where Tourism Meets Conservation

Taekoni Farm, the eco-tourism project I was visiting, is located on Hahajima (Mother Island), the second largest of the Ogasawara Islands, some 1,000 kilometers south of mainland Tokyo. Here, tour-guides-turned-farmers Taeko Morosawa and Toshinori Konishi teach visitors about sustainable farming and conservation through tours and hands-on experiences with local farmers such as Kazuo Orita, who had kindly offered me the mango.

Pick Ups

Selected reads from our editors

Awaji Island Blue: Cycling Japan's Island Birthplace

Awaji Island is an ideal cycling destination located in Japan's picturesque Inland Sea. It is the legendary birthplace of Japan, and present home to a grassroots movement that includes indigo dyers, farm-to-table restauranteurs, unique local potters, and friendly cafes.

GO WILD TOKYO 3/ A Retreat in the Natural Surroundings of Hinohara Village

Tokyo is one of Japan’s 47 prefectures, and its borders stretch far beyond the central area’s towering skyline and bustling streets. This is one of a series introducing parts of Tokyo known for natural wonders, spectacular landscapes, and numerous species

GO WILD TOKYO 2/ A Wilderness Experience at Hinohara Village

GO WILD TOKYO 1/ Experience the great outdoors on Izu Oshima Island

Tokyo is one of Japan’s 47 prefectures, and its borders stretch far beyond the skyline and bustling streets. This article is the first of a series called “GO WILD TOKYO,” featuring trips that let you experience Tokyo’s great outdoors. In it we introduce p

Unlock Tochigi｜Three-day Tour Exploring Tochigi, Japan

Tochigi Prefecture deserves to be on every traveler’s wish list. Just two hours by train from Tokyo, it is blessed with natural beauty and a rich history.

Japanese Wine

Niigata

Niigata Wine Coast: A Wine Region Built From Scratch

The Niigata Wine Coast may just be the most beautiful wine region in Japan, and is perfect for a weekend getaway.

Tokyo

Uncharted Tokyo 3｜Hahajima’s Sustainable Farm: Where Tourism Meets Conservation

Food & Drink

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Nara

Eating and Drinking the Back Streets of Nara

Most people do Nara as a day trip, but actually staying there and spending a few days--and nights--lets you explore the rich cuisine of its backstreets.

Restaurants

Taste of Japan

Humble Feasts: 36 Hours of Osaka Comfort Food

Osaka’s vibrant southern district of Namba offers a wealth of reasonable dining options, the best of which are neighborhood landmarks serving local favorites.

Shizuoka

Savoring Shizuoka: A Gourmet Adventure

A short distance south of Tokyo, Shizuoka Prefecture is earning a reputation as a luxury destination for those in search of unique accommodations and culinary discoveries.

Entertainment

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Shimane

Iwami Art Museum Celebrates Legendary Fashion Designer Hanae Mori

Books

Christopher Harding: Bringing Japan’s History and Culture to a Wide Audience

An interview with Christopher Harding, historian and author, who explores Japan’s culture and history through books that blend narrative flair with scholarship.

Ukiyo-e

Erotic Ukiyo-e Exhibition in Tokyo’s Nightlife District

Sensual works of art from centuries past come to Tokyo’s Kabukicho district. A superb collection of shunga, erotic woodblock prints by some of Japan’s Edo-period masters, are being shown at two unique venues, inviting viewers to explore timeless expressions of desire, beauty, and intimacy in one of Japan’s most energetic neighborhoods. (Admission limited to those 18 and over).

Innovation

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Fukui

Fukui: New Trends Crafted from Traditional Skills

This August, LUMINE Singapore, the concept store featuring Japanese fashion and lifestyle brands, will feature the best of Fukui Prefecture’s craft products in a pop-up store commemorating the opening of its new flagship store at Raffles City.

Weaving

Okinawa

Tsumugi Silk: Poor Man's Fabric Turned Luxury Folkcraft

Tsumugi silk is the result of a labor-intensive artistic weaving style that is prized for its supple softness and unique designs.

Design

Architecture

Small Spaces, Part IV: Japanese Ideas for Small and Tiny Homes

The fourth of a series on innovative, space-saving methods from traditional and modern Japanese architecture that can be used in any home, regardless of size.

Life in Japan

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Craft Beer

Shikoku

Life in Rural Japan: Three International Kochi Residents

More foreign nationals are finding their base in rural Japan. Here are the stories of three residents of nature-rich Kochi Prefecture.

Museum

Art

The Mesmerizing Art of Munakata Shiko

A major retrospective looks at how "time" and "place" shaped famous 20th c. printmaker Munakata Shiko.

Information

Local Creators' Market

Japan's Amazing DIY Superstores: From Cheap Urban Farming to Building a Home

DIY has always been big in Japan. Now a number of stores cater to the creative in all of us, whether its gardening, interior renovation, crafts or even building your own house.

Find out more

Find out more about all those finding out more on your behalf!

Jennifer Pastore

Gavin Blair

Andrew Lee

Gregory Starr

Kathryn Wortley

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