Highlighting Japan
Daughters of Meiji: Women's Education in Japan
At the dawn of the Meiji Period, three young girls were sent to live in the United States to experience American education and society firsthand and bring their knowledge back to Japan.
The Roots of Tonkatsu: A Delicious Fusion
Japanese Food Beyond Sushi: Best Eats & Treats in Japan
Tonkatsu—the breaded, deep-fried pork cutlet so popular with the masses—was originally one of many Japanese twists on Western recipes imported to Japan. Learn the history of tonkatsu according to the first restaurant in Japan to put the dish on its menu.
Mastering Winemaking in Nagano
Well-known essayist and painter Toyoo Tamamura and his wife live in Nagano Prefecture, where they run a winery and restaurant. He talks about his new life and work styles, the late life lessons he’s discovered and his plans for the future.
The Japanese Seasoning on Everyone’s Table
Known as 'shoyu' in Japan, soy sauce is ubiquitous in Japanese cuisine, whether it’s being drizzled on roasting corn or adding flavorful depths to vegetable, fish and meat dishes.
Japan Opens a Door to Fourth-Generation Nikkei
This summer the Ministry of Justice began granting special long-term visas to fourth-generation Nikkei Japanese. If they meet the requirements, applicants can receive a visa of up to five years with no limits on the type of work they do.
Aomori Nebuta Festival
The Aomori Nebuta Festival enthralls millions of visitors every year from August 2 to 7, with brightly lit, intricate and boldly colored floats known as nebuta.
Iriomote—Japan’s Last Secluded Isle
Known locally as Iriomotejima, this remote Okinawan island is almost entirely covered in virgin subtropical forest and mangrove trees, and is often called “Japan’s last secluded island.” Iriomote is also home to rare plants and animals!
Rebun: The Flower Island
Two hours away by ferry from Wakkanai City in Hokkaido, Rebun Island is especially cool and delightful during the summer as hundreds of types of flowers bloom among its mountains and on its shores, and the surrounding sea offers up delectable fare.
How Imari Ware Took Europe By Storm
Imari ware began shipping from Japan to Europe in the late 17th century, and the elegant porcelain thrilled royals and nobles. The mountain village of Okawachiyama and its secret kilns is the best place to explore the history of Imari ware.
A Train That Conveys the Spirit of Recovery
A journey on Minami Aso Railway’s trolley train, which trundles past the Aso Caldera—one of the world’s largest volcanic craters—gives riders the leisurely opportunity to marvel at the natural splendors of Kumamoto’s landscape.
The World's in Love with Zen
Zen concepts and practices have heavily influenced prominent people in the West in all fields, from business to entertainment to the arts. What is it about Zen that attracts them?
Forgetting Time on the Resort Shirakami
The Resort Shirakami is a travel experience that combines the romance of the railways with traditional culture and beautiful scenery.
Trekking Through the Mosaic
Each year about 38,000 visitors hike through the verdant trails of the Shin-Etsu trail in northwestern Japan.
Kyoto's Aoi Matsuri (May 15)
The Aoi Matsuri is one of Japan's most enduring festivals. Held every year in Kyoto on May 15, it has an enduring history that dates back to the Heian Period.
Immersed in Farmhouse Culture
Japanese Countryside Highlighting Japan
Homestays in Japan’s rural farming villages bring visitors a deeper understanding of local culture and people amid growing things and abundant nature.
History in Motion
A Journey on one of Oigawa Railway's steam locomotives connects people with the charms of travel from a lost era.
Shaping Things That Endure
Australian potter Euan Craig has shaped his craft in Japan for decades, following a folk craft tradition that blends creativity and beauty with utility.
True Colors: Nikko Toshogu Shrine
Attracting almost 2 million visitors every year, Nikko Toshogu Shrine is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Japan.
Shimane: Silver & The Sea
The Iwami Ginzan silver mine was designated a World Heritage Site in 2007. At its peak in the mid-16th to early 17th century, it was believed to be the source of one third of all the silver in circulation in the world.
Masanori Aoyagi on Japan's World Heritage
World Heritage Temples & Shrines
When the sites of Japan’s Meiji industrial revolution were added to UNESCO's list of World Heritage Sites, Highlighting Japan spoke with then-Commissioner for Cultural Affairs Masanori Aoyagi about the significance of World Heritage Sites in Japan.
