All About Japan

Finalists Announced for New 2020 Tokyo Stadium

Two competing groups have offered proposals coming in at just under ¥150 billion, which is about half of what the original Zaha Hadid stadium was going to cost.

7 Delightful Christmas Origami Designs

Brush off your folding skills to make some great Christmas ornaments with paper!

Give Yourself a Hand

Looking to avoid poor posture while relaxing at work? Thanko is here to lend you a hand!

Conservation of an Icon

Mount Fuji is recognized as both a World Heritage Site and a three-star Michelin spot. But how do you protect a natural site from the erosive forces of its own popularity?

Dress Up Your Canine or Feline as a Samurai

Ditch the cutesy puppy or kitty sweaters and get your pet into something more noble—like a samurai costume!

Attention to Detail is Key

Don't take your eyes off this video for a second, or you'll miss seeing the precision and concentration that it takes to design a single bowl.

400-Year-Old Bathhouse Gets a Facelift

Faced with a dwindling clientele, Gunma's Maruhon Inn asked KuboTsushima Architects to redesign its bathhouse. The result is welcoming space that invites guests to relax and rejuvenate.

Alone this Christmas? You Don't Have to Be!

Thanks to manufacturer Mega House, you can enjoy a Christmas date with a famous Japanese anime voice actress.

Become a Michelin Chef by Hologram

The Tokyo Institute of Technology has developed a 3-D simulator system that teaches chefs-to-be everything they need to know.

Smartphone Samurai Get Picked Off by Ninja

NTT Docomo's smartphone safety video warns that texting while walking may make you vulnerable to ambush.

4 Cool Things Made of Kurikyu Odate Bentwood

Kurikyu Bentwood is known for high-quality bentwood products emblematic of the city of Odate in Akita Prefecture.

6 Foreigners Making Waves in the Countryside

Most of the subjects of this story didn't see themselves where they are now—but all of them found something incredible in the Japanese countryside, leading each to develop a unique and indelible bond to the local community.

7 Cool Traditional Japanese-Style Gifts

Looking for just the right gift during the holiday season? Why not give the gift of something unique you could only get from Japan!

Interview with Kurashiki Mayor Kaori Ito

The city of Kurashiki in Okayama Prefecture is maintaining its path of developmental growth even as it attracts crowds of visitors from other parts of Japan and abroad.

A Taste of Green Tourism in Traditional Japan

Despite their combined population of only 900, the villages of Shunran no Sato drew 11,000 visitors in 2014, attracted by the prospect of experiencing traditional Japanese life from locals only too happy to share.

Free Niseko App Will Keep You in the Snow

Want to navigate Niseko with ease? The Niseko App has been updated for the 2015/16 season, free to download on both iPhone and Android.

5 Gorgeous Reasons to Visit Takayama

Takayama is a picturesque mountain town that's beautiful to visit all year round!

6 Great Innovations from Japan's Countryside

From urban planning and fish farming to food recycling and the re-invigoration of traditional techniques, a number of great ideas have come out of Japan's smaller towns and cities.

7 Incredible Activities in Minakami, Gunma

Minakami is one exciting gem of a Japanese countryside town!

Promoting the Healing Power of Nature

The Kaminoyama Onsen Kurort project is a wellness and leisure spot in Yamagata Prefecture that focuses on medical science-based healthy outdoor walks and invigorating visitors through local culinary and hot spring resources.

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