
The Japanese Village That Inspired Steve Jobs
Tsubame-Sanjo is one of Japan’s leading metalworking hubs, boasting time-honored craftsmanship that has caught the eye of many big-name manufacturers, including Apple.

Swede Peo Ekberg is a Fair Trade Leader in Japan
Working in Japan Sustainable Development Goals
The Director of One Planet Cafe shares his insights on Fair Trade and why it's a win-win for everyone.

Tokyo Midtown Yaesu: The City's Trendy New Dining/Shopping Spot
This new complex boasts high-end shops, gastronomic delights, prime office space and the first Japan outpost of Bulgaria Hotel.

Small Spaces, Part II: Japanese Ideas for Small and Tiny Homes
Traditional Japan Architecture
The second of a series on innovative, space-saving methods from traditional and modern Japanese architecture that can be used in any home, regardless of size.
Simple Quiz Helps Find Your Ideal Saké
New Japan-based startup Kurashu is looking to help people break into the world of sake with a novel recommendation system and a web shop selling a curated collection of small-batch sake.
Learning to Make Japan's Most Durable Washi Paper
The Kaminosato Museum in Hitachiomiya has a gallery of products made with Nishinouchi Washi and offers workshops for visitors who want to try their hand at papermaking or learn more.
Small Spaces, Part III: Japanese Ideas for Small and Tiny Homes
The third of a series on innovative, space saving methods from Japanese architecture that can be used in any home. The theme is bringing the exterior into the interior to broaden horizons.
7 Japanese House Features That Every Home Should Have
Some typical Japanese home features to improve life are worth adopting regardless of where you live.
Sleep in Comfort in Beds made with Japanese Craftsmanship
Nihon Bed has a long commitment to crafting quality beds, and its mattresses and frames are found at the most luxurious accommodations throughout Japan.
Pioneers of Sustainable Living in Japan: The Remarkable People of Kamikatsu
Sustainable Development Goals Shikoku
The second of a series about the inspiring zero-waste Japanese town of Kamikatsu. Joy Jarman-Walsh introduces the people who want to make sustainability compatible with a good life.
Shimbun Nishiki-e: The Meiji-era Origins of Japan’s Lurid Tabloids
In the Meiji Era (1868--1912), some enterprising woodblock artists used their traditional skills to bring a mix of news and entertainment to the masses.
Okinawa's Top 5 Wellness Oils: Nature's Best-kept Secrets
Introducing some lesser known essential oils of the island of Okinawa, where the locals have long known that health is a harmonic state of body, mind and spirit.
Discover Japanese Woodwork Traditions at Takenaka Carpentry Tools Museum
This Kobe museum features the traditions and technology of Japanese carpentry and tool artisanship that are used in buildings from simple tea houses to complex temple designs.
Onomichi: A Japanese Inland Sea Town That Saved Its Own Life
Cycling Sustainable Development Goals
How sustainability efforts have remarkably revitalized the Inland Sea town of Onomichi by attracting new residents and tourists—with an emphasis on cycling.
Small Spaces, Part 1: Japanese Ideas for Small and Tiny Homes
Innovative, space-saving methods from traditional and modern Japanese architecture that can be used in any home, regardless of size. The first of a series.
Brit Amelia Hiorns is Working to Save Japan’s Bear Population
Amelia Hiorns has one of the most unusual jobs in Japan. As a member of the Picchio Wildlife Research Center’s Bear Team, she works with black bears, Karelian bear dogs, and humans, all in an effort to promote wildlife conservation.
Onomichi: The Japan Inland Sea Town That Saved Its Own Life, Part II
The second part of a series on a Japanese town and the citizens that have used innovative sustainable lifestyle choices to revitalize the community for residents and visitors.
Japan's Himekuri Calendars: Amazing Almanacs
Life in Japan Traditional Japan
Japan's traditional page-a-day himekuri calendars are fascinating windows into traditional ways of keeping track of everything from seasonal events to festivals and lucky days.
Meet a Robot with Heart at Tokyo's Lovot Café!
The robots at this café are cutting edge—developed and programmed to react emotionally to interaction with humans. Now, for the price of a simple meal, you can get a glimpse of how our future will be spent with the cutest “care robots.”
A Fresh Fashion Twist on Vintage Kimono
A young Japan-based Australian designer is reconstructing vintage kimono into bespoke garments.