All About Japan

Rice Paddy Art Celebrates Manga Legend

To celebrate the 90th anniversary of Osamu Tezuka, the 'Godfather of Manga,' the small village of Inakadate in Aomori has created stunning natural art depicting some of his most-beloved characters.

Get Artful Info with the Tokyo Last Train Map

Created by a Japanese designer and map enthusiast, the Tokyo Last Train Map lays out all of Tokyo's trains in radial form, along with the times they leave their first stop and arrive at their last.

Awesome iPhone Cases Show Off Surreal Tokyo

Japanese illustrator Shinji Tsuchimochi created his own '100 Views of Tokyo,' and has turned some of his whimsical & surreal prints into gorgeous iPhone cases!

Journey to Another Planet with TeamLab

Visionary digital art collective teamLab is back at it again! Their latest installation in Toyosu features huge, color-changing balloons and digital koi fish, and will be open until autumn 2020!

Retro Gaming Havens in Tokyo

In an era where gaming is no longer a niche hobby, there are some who still crave the classic, retro games of yesteryear. Thankfully Tokyo contains a plethora of treasure troves when it comes to classic video games, and we're here to help you find them!

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.

Pixel-Perfect Real-Life Food Art

Japanese artist Yuni Yoshida creates artwork that looks like it sprang from the screen of retro video games using analog techniques and real food.

Wakuneco Makes Heart-'felt' Portraits of Cats

A Japanese artist who goes by the name of Wakuneco is helping pet owners memorialize their furry friends with lifelike felt portraits.

What To Wear: Women Working in Japan

It can be hard for women to know exactly what is appropriate (or not) to wear in a Japanese office. Get the lowdown on the basic rules to follow to avoid faux pas without having to resort to a penguin suit.

Who Will Win in an Epic Manga Character Brawl?

A new fighting game will pit some of your favorite 'Shonen Jump' characters like Luffy, Naruto and Goku against one another in a crossover brawl of epic proportions.

Battling Child Poverty One Offering at a Time

Nearly 1,000 temples throughout Japan are banding together to help combat child poverty thanks to devotional offerings and the charitable organization, the 'Otera Oyatsu Club.'

Interactive Pikachu Peddles Pokémon Plushies

If you're looking to get your hands on some adorable Pokémon plushies, check out these new vending machines! These Pokémon Stands will feature an interactive Pikachu to help you select your new buddy.

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.

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.

Memory Game Uses Japanese Manhole Art

A Japanese design firm has developed a distinctly Japanese version of the classic memory game, Concentration, using the awesome art found on manhole covers throughout the country!

The Coolest Arcade You've Never Heard Of

Just across the river from Tokyo, in the city of Kawasaki, is an arcade with a unique aesthetic and personality that's as big as its selection of games and activities.

The Evolution of the ¥100 Shop

It's amazing to see what ¥100 can buy! It's even more amazing to see what DIY projects some creative customers are able to accomplish using only materials from ¥100 shops!

Robot Serves Up Okonomiyaki in Okayama

Apparently, this robot has been serving up the savory Japanese-style pancakes on the downlow for over 40 years!

Visit Japan's First Glass Torii Gate

If you're looking to see a one-of-a-kind shrine gate, head over to Kagoshima to see Japan's first torii made from glass!

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.

know-before-you-go