Highlighting Japan
Japanese Porcelain Prized by Chefs Overseas
With a 400-year tradition, Arita is the oldest among Japan's various porcelain-making regions, and Arita porcelain exported to Europe in the 17th century had a strong influence on what would become Germany's Meissen porcelain brand.
5 Traditional Sweets for the Seasons
Here's a run-down of five of the tastiest-looking Japanese treats that have traditionally been enjoyed in different seasons, from hot 'zenzai' in winter to ice-cold 'ujikintoki' to beat the summer heat.
6 Seasonal Japanese Rice Dishes
Rice is at the center of many traditional Japanese meals, providing a healthy staple to the Japanese diet. And here's a wonderful selection of seasonal rice meals, including many that are fantastic for both vegetarian and even vegan food lovers.
4 Japanese Seasonal & Regional Variety Dishes
Simple foods are fun and popular in Japan, but here's a list of foods full of variety in one spectacular meal.
Hand Cream with a Mission
The Kesen Tsubaki Dream Project uses camellia oil to make hand cream that's not only popular, but helped revitalize a region once devastated by the Great East Japan Earthquake.
Konbu Road: Ancient Route of Kelp & Medicine
Sailing south down Japan’s western coast from Hokkaido, ships brought goods that included the edible kelp called "konbu" to Toyama on their way along the watery route that came to be called Konbu Road.
Finding Remedies in the Soil
Professor Satoshi Omura, joint recipient of the 2015 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, has discovered organic compounds produced by microorganisms in the soil that are being used to free hundreds of millions of people from infectious diseases.
Visiting the Cradle of Japan
Miyazaki occupies a special place in Japanese history for a mountain town called Takachiho. For it was here the deity Ninigi-no-Mikoto, grandson of the sun goddess Amaterasu, is said to have descended to Earth.
3 Ways to Worship Mount Fuji
Mount Fuji is an object of faith for Japanese people, and a place their hearts draw support from, as expressed by the official name under which it's registered as a Cultural World Heritage Site: 'Fujisan, sacred place and source of artistic inspiration.'
Saitama's Train Museum & More!
Once you're done at the Railway Museum, there's also the Bonsai Village and a modern underground cavern to explore.
Tokyo: The Calm & the Chaos
Take a three-minute trip from Mount Takao to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, then head down to the back alleys of Shinjuku's drinking districts.
Japan’s Best-Known Ninja Lives in Chiba
Masaaki Hatsumi teaches the ways of the samurai and the art of ninjutsu to aspiring shadow warriors and law enforcement personnel from all over the world.
A Mountain of Ancient Worship
Compact and beautiful, Mount Oyama is nestled in the northern reaches of Isehara City in Kanagawa's Tanzawa-Oyama Quasi-National Park.
Interview with Kurashiki Mayor Kaori Ito
The city of Kurashiki in Okayama Prefecture is maintaining its path of developmental growth even as it attracts crowds of visitors from other parts of Japan and abroad.
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.
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.
Promoting the Healing Power of Nature
The Kaminoyama Onsen Kurort project is a wellness and leisure spot in Yamagata Prefecture that focuses on medical science-based healthy outdoor walks and invigorating visitors through local culinary and hot spring resources.
6 Foreigners Making Waves in the Countryside
Deeper Japan Japanese Countryside
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.
The Most Bike-Friendly City in Japan
Tochigi Prefecture's Utsunomiya City hopes to become a haven for cyclists with its unique topography and climate.
Tochigi: Mountain Highs & Captivating Crafts
Just an hour north of Tokyo via bullet train, Tochigi Prefecture is famed for the temple-rich historical environs of Nikko, as well as its hot springs resort towns.
