All About Japan

The Gentler Side of Japanese Skincare

If you're looking to try some high-quality natural cosmetics while in Japan, look no further than Yoroshi Cosmetics, a local Asakusa brand with over 90 years of history.

Magical Rainbow Grilled Cheese in Harajuku

Taste the rainbow at Le Shiner in Takeshita Street, with rainbow drinks, potato corn dogs, and grilled cheese.

200-Year-Old Soy Sauce Manufacturer Rebuilds

In April of 2016, a powerful earthquake rocked Kumamoto, toppling parts of Kumamoto Castle and damaging many other historical sites. One of those was 200-year-old soy sauce maker H...

Tsukiji Market Memories Through Photogrammetry

The Tsukiji Fish Market relocated to Toyosu in 2018 and officially closed their doors forever. Using thousands of archival photographs, however, designers have created an immersive...

Special Marathon Cars Coming to Yamanote Line

To promote the yearly college marathon, Hakone Ekiden, special edition train cars will be featured on the JR Yamanote Line in Tokyo.

Ritual for the Regrets of Unused Paid-Time-Off

In Osaka, a Buddhist monk sat at the front of a large room chanting, surrounded by 300 lanterns. The chants, however, were not Buddhist scriptures. They were the regrets and remors...

Cool Kanazawa Hotel Connecting People & Places

Kumu opened during the summer of 2017 in a building renovated by architect Yusuke Seki, who set out to design a space that is both inclusive and engaged with its context. Spoon &...

Improving Accessibility for Paralympics

With less than eight months to go until the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics, groups and individuals are trying to improve accessibility in the capital.

No Need for Fire with Self-igniting Incense

Incense and matches, combined as one. This ingenious yet intuitive design comes from a 90-year old Japanese match manufacturer, who never stopped innovating.

Year-end Cleaning at Naritasan Shinshoji

Buddhist monks spruce up Naritasan Shinshoji Temple for the annual end-of-year cleaning.

20,000 Bamboo Lanterns Light Up Oita

As the sun set on Taketa City last month, tourists and locals alike gathered together near the Oka Castle ruins to be amazed by the Chikuraku Festival.

Make Your Own Chopsticks from 'Hamidashimono'

For more than 100 years, a town in Nara Prefecture has been using leftover, high-quality cypress wood from the home construction process to create disposable chopsticks. And now, y...

A Stunning Photographic Look at Japan 2019

As the year comes to an end, we’re afforded several opportunities to reflect on the past 12 months, such as the Kansai Photojournalism Awards., where exceptional photojournalism an...

Geisha in Kyoto Prepare for New Year

Geisha in Kyoto's Gion district begin their traditional New Year’s rituals. Click to learn more about the <i>koto hajime</i> ritual.

Takeda Castle Floating in the Sky

Thanks to a natural phenomenon, the ruins of Takeda Castle (in Hyogo Prefecture) often appear to be floating in the sky!

Toshogu Shrine: Lavish Tomb of Tokugawa Ieyasu

Nikko's top attraction, UNESCO World Heritage Site Toshogu Shrine, also serves as the extravagantly embellished tomb of historical shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu, ruler of Japan for over 2...

Tokyo Tower Souvenirs to Remember Forever

Remember your trip to Tokyo's landmark red tower with the gift shop that has almost every souvenir imaginable.

Pocket Change: The Money Travel Hack Machine

Leaving the country with a pocket full of yen coins? Visit a Pocket Change kiosk to transfer them into valuable digital currency!

Redeveloping Shibuya

Shibuya has always been a center of culture focused on young people. Lately, the area has been redeveloped with a focus on high-rise shopping and office buildings aimed at a more m...

Drink & Make Memories on Omoide Yokocho

Wander around a maze of narrow alleys packed with izakaya and BBQ food stalls in Shinjuku's Omoide Yokocho.

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