Highlighting Japan
Dining Out in Hiroshima
When eating out in Hiroshima, the first choice has to be Hiroshima-style 'okonomiyaki.'
The Amazing Wearable Robot
The world's first wearable robotic device for medical and wellness applications was developed by a professor at the University of Tsukuba.
The Salt of Life
Salt from the sea and other essential goods were hauled along Salt Road from Japan’s coastal areas to the mountainous territories inland—and delivered even to mortal enemies in need.
Marketing the Otaku Lifestyle Abroad
How do you sell otaku swag online, and where is the market headed from here? Find out in this interview with Tokyo Otaku Mode founder and CEO Tomohide Kamei!
Giving Voice to a Dream
Did you know that one of the voice actresses on 'Sailor Moon Crystal' grew up in China? Find out how Seira Ryu learned the language and—with a little luck—came to hold her own against native-born Japanese vocal actors.
Where Studio Ghibli's Paint Comes From
Founded in 1950, this 17-person paint company has colored the works of anime geniuses from Osamu Tezuka to Hayao Miyazaki.
All About the World Cosplay Summit
The World Cosplay Summit began in 2003, with countries sending the winners of their respective qualifying tournaments to Nagoya in Aichi Prefecture. The biggest cosplay event on the globe, the Summit is where the world’s top cosplayers are crowned.
Gazing Across the Sea into Japan’s Past
Two castles peer out into the sea from Saga Prefecture’s picturesque coastal city of Karatsu.
Himeji Castle Reborn
In March 2015, Himeji Castle completed its first major renovation in 50 years, leading it to be reborn in resplendent white befitting of the "White Heron Castle."
Japanese Alcohol: From Hokkaido to Okinawa
There are more than 1,800 sake breweries and shochu distilleries in Japan. Highlighting Japan has profiled nine leading representatives from Hokkado to Okinawa.
A Little Dive into Some Japanese Subcultures
A foreigner’s foray into a few of Japan’s more offbeat cultural aspects.
Cradles of Subculture
Let's take a quick look at some trivia about various regions in Japan that are known as subculture hotbeds!
'Henn-na Hotel': Smart, Weird & Wonderful
The Henn-na Hotel has garnered global interest because robots handle many of its services.The hotel’s management concept is also designed to trim labor costs and conserve energy as well!
American Photographer Promotes Island with Art
American photographer Patrick Tsai is part of a team helping to internationalize and revitalize the island of Shodoshima in the Seto Inland Sea.
A Historical Walk Through Japanese Tea
Take a stroll through Kyoto’s Yamashiro region, the historical nexus of Japanese tea production, with a history dating back some 800 years.
Spend a Night in a Historic House
Built to withstand and even take advantage of their environment, these singulse structures known as gassho-zukuri can only be found in two villages in Japan. So why not spend the night in a UNESCO-recognized farmhouse?
300-Year-Old Hemp Makes a Modern Comeback
Founded in Nara in 1716, Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten is finding new ways to bring its traditional textiles to a modern market, both domestically and overseas.
Kyoto's 1,000-Year-Old Hand Embroidery
This shop in Kyoto carries on a tradition of silk embroidery that dates back to the Asuka Period (592-710).
How Japanese Textiles Enable Global Fashions
Nobuyuki Ota, the CEO of the Cool Japan Fund and an expert on fashions both domestic and overseas, expounds on the history and appeal of Japanese textiles.
Transforming Washi to Meet Modern Needs
Would you wear a wedding dress made of paper?
