All About Japan

The Great Wave of Lego Bricks

Japan’s only certified professional Lego block builder pays homage to one of Japan's most influential woodblock prints with this epic Lego masterpiece.

Osaka Contest for Mini-Gardens on Small Trucks

The Kei-tora Gardening Contest has chosen its winner for 2020. Click to see which mini-truck garden received to top prize.

Kengo Kumo & Kadokawa's Manga Museum Collab

Part museum and part library, Tokorozawa Sakura Town has a new, stylish place to hang thanks to manga publisher Kadokawa and star architect Kengo Kuma.

Ceramics Workshop Designed by Kengo Kuma

Star architect Kengo Kuma puts his signature stamp on yet another building with this ceramics museum and workshop in Komatsu.

Enliven Your Senses with Scented Paints

For all those who took up painting as a therapeutic way to pass the pandemic, now you can take it up a notch with scented paints called Kanogu.

Trees on Trees on Trees: Cedar Platforms

Have you ever seen a tree growing atop another? Come learn why this cool and ancient technique encourages proper forestation.

Honda to Sell World 1st Level 3 Automated Car

Honda Motor plans to start selling the world’s first commercially available Level 3 automated cars by the end of March 2021. Level 3 vehicles can drive autonomously by detecting the environment around them, not needing driver input.

Fugaku Reigns as World’s Fastest Supercomputer

Riken institute said Japan’s Fugaku remains the world’s fastest supercomputer in international rankings released twice a year.

Secret Shopping Sprawls Under the Train Tracks

Welcome to Hibiya Okuroji, a new alleyway underneath Tokyo's railroad system that's filled with shops and eateries.

Get Your Hands on the Ultimate Hand-Drawn Maze

The artist called Papa has once again picked up his pen in an attempt to outdo himself, creating one of the most challenging yet beautiful mazes we've seen.

Introducing Flood-Resistant Floating Homes

A Japanese homebuilder has developed a house that floats during flooding as a measure to prevent permanent structural damage.

Sharp Unveils Fog-Free Face Shields

Electronics firm Sharp has developed face shields that do not fog up or glare like conventional products do.

Hayabusa2 Returns with Asteroid Samples

Japan’s Hayabusa2 space explorer brought 5.4 grams of substances believed to be from the asteroid Ryugu on a capsule that returned to Earth earlier this month.

Eye-Catching Pieces from ArtKyoto 2020

ArtKyoto is back and we've got the scoop on some of the coolest artworks on exhibit this year.

Tokyo's Stunning 'Mizuhiki' LED Christmas Tree

One of the most modern and innovative designs we've seen this year for Christmas trees features the traditional craft of 'mizuhiki' hand-twisted cords.

Worship Your Feline Friend with Its Own Shrine

Your cat already walks around like a god of the house, so why not get a cardboard shrine to show your true devotion.

Rebranding the Historic Izumo Taisha Shrine

Creative director Yu Yamada and art director Kishino Shogo worked with Izumo Taisha to modernize the crests and symbols of the shrine.

2020's Kanji of the Year Revealed

As he does every December 12, the head abbot of Kiyomizudera Temple took his usual place in front of a blank board on the site’s famous balcony, raised a large brush, and began the strokes that revealed the top character for 2020.

Tech That Measures Congestion in Indoor Areas

Officials tested a system at Tokyo Dome that uses state-of-the-art technology to measure congestion in indoor arenas.

Turning Fashion Trash to Functioning Treasure

A Japanese designer has created a stunning, yet functioning chair that's made entirely from excess fabric from the fast fashion industry.

know-before-you-go