All About Japan

Tree Rubbings of Artist Stranded in NYC

When the pandemic hit, Japanese artist Keiko Miyamori found herself stuck in New York, missing exhibitions in Japan. As a way to keep her spirits strong, she created tree rubbings, placing them in charming glass boxes. Check out the fruits of her labors.

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.

A Musical Scale to Maintain Social Distance

A mural by Eisuke Tachikawa is helping visitors to the Minato Mirai Hall stay socially distant while possibly getting the first few notes of Erik Satie’s Gymnopédie stuck in their head.

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.

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.

Celebrities Pose for Playful, Stylized Photos

Welcome to the imaginative world of art director Yuni Yoshida, who has been using celebs to create magical images that play with the way we see reality.

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.

Artist Makes 3D Sculptures of Strange Pet Pics

For one artist, scrolling past cute viral pics of animals is enough to inspire crafting sculptures that imagine new creatures.

App Improves Communication Hindered By Masks

An app is helping to facilitate communication in the new normal for the hearing impaired, the elderly, and people who speak different languages.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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