Anatomy of a Traditional Fan
As a necessity amid the heat and humidity of the Japanese summer, the Boshu uchiwa, or Japanese fan, is Chiba Prefecture’s one and only government-designated traditional craft.
Tokyo Type Project
Away from the big streets you'll find that Japan suffers a dearth of clear signage. In part of the effort to rectify the situation, designer Yoshiaki Irobe has developed “Tokyo CityFont,” a typeface just for the nation's greatest metropolis.
Building the &Tokyo Brand
The &Tokyo campaign aims to promote the city as one that constantly generates new styles while bringing tradition and innovation together.
'Tis the Season of Giving
One restaurant in Hokkaido decided that the giving season should continue all year round—so it devised a unique payment system to make giving a little easier.
A Kyoto-Lover's Guide to the Ancient Capital
Get tips and local knowledge from Kyoto-obsessed travelers, from must-see spots to unforgettable food.
Smile, You're on Hanshin Camera!
In an effort to curb the use of people looking at their cellphones while walking, Hanshin Railway Company decided to build a rather ingenious device that singles people out.
5 Classic Cultural Activities in Saitama
Located just north of Tokyo, Saitama Prefecture has preserved beautiful pockets of traditional Japan. While there's much to see, there's just as much that you can try out first-hand!
3 Historical Crafts from Kanagawa
In addition to being home to the major port city of Yokohama and the famed hot springs of Hakone, Kanagawa has developed a number of distinctive crafts that are unique to the region.
This Sleek Tokyo House is Just 6 Feet Wide!
With four stories and dynamic interior design, it still offers 860 square feet (80 sqm) of living space.
5 Cool Crafts from Tokyo
Thought it was nothing but big city lights? These crafts from Tokyo are like no other!
The Most Expensive Fukubukuro Bags
How much would you be willing to spend on a New Year's grab bag?
Tokyo’s New Olympic Stadium Design Revealed
Architect Kengo Kuma's design is a marriage of wood and forestry, incorporating the surrounding trees of Jingu Shrine to create a stadium of wood and greenery.
A Gift-Wrapped Book About Seasonal Sweets
Utilizing an architectural approach to design, this photobook portrays the seasons depicted in the world of wagashi, Japanese traditional sweets.
No Trees, No Kiyomizu-dera
What are the three most notable woody materials used in the construction of Kiyomizu-dera?
Astro Boy Meets the Rinpa School of Painting
The classic anime characters by Osamu Tezuka that gave birth to modern anime come to life in this exhibit thanks to breathtaking backgrounds provided by the traditional Japanese painting school, Rinpa.
Finally, a Vending Machine You Can Talk To
Trying to figure out what a drink is on a Japanese vending machine is kind of like a guessing game if you don't read kanji. Luckily, there's one vending machine that's looking out for consumers.
360° Book Lets You Own Mount Fuji
When designer Yusuke Ono submitted his 3-D book idea to the YouFab design contest in 2012, it was too labor intensive to be produced for sale. Not anymore.
Awesome New Year's Paddles from Saitama
These may be the best "hanetsuki" paddles of all time!
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.
