The Technology of Artificial Spider Silk
With more than 30,000 species of spider in the world—and a single spider using more than seven different kinds of silk—it became nearly impossible for Spiber researchers to define what constituted spider silk at all.
How to Create Halloween in Elementary School
With a little (okay, a lot of) preparation, an enthusiastic teacher can make Halloween real in a way no explanation could ever hope to match.
Osaka Vending Machines Offer Umbrellas
DyDo offers free "rental umbrellas" at 60 vending machines in Osaka's Nishi Ward.
A Japanese Bento Box In New York
A variety of New York-based businesses—from small-scale entrepreneurs to multinational brand names—are gradually succeeding in introducing Japanese bento culture to the world.
How a Bento Manga Changed the Rules for Women
When “Nonchan Noriben” was published in 1995, the idea of a divorcée trying to pick up her life as a single mother was still taboo in Japan.
Breaking Olympic Records with Prosthetic Limbs
Ken Endo returned to Japan in 2012 after researching robotic prosthetics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He now aims to help a Paralympic sprinter shatter the Olympic speed record.
Akira Fans Eat Your Heart Out
ZecOO, an electronic motorcycle company, has just come out with a smart, futuristic motorbike that will make you think you're on the set of the Akira movie.
The Art of Any Tokyo
Any Tokyo is an exhibition bringing “tomorrow’s applied design and ideas together under one roof.” Now in its third iteration, the 2015 event runs from October 24 to November 3 at Zozo-ji Temple.
Shared Office Designed Around Food & Community
STOCK offers a 15-meter kitchen, two floors of storage and a community vibe starting from ¥18,000 per month.
Sharp & 7-Eleven Offer Evangelion Smartphone
30,000 phones planned for production—at ¥84,240 a pop!
Swipe Your Phone with a Happy Cat Tail
These smartphone gloves will keep your fingertips as happy as a kitty getting a chin rub.
Creepy, Crawly... Human Caterpillars?
Inch your way across the court in Caterpillar Rugby, a game that allows people with physical disabilities to participate on the same level as able-bodied people.
Programmable Idol Robots Dance to Your Design
The robot revolution is coming, and when it arrives, they’ll have an awful lot to be mad about. Like making them dance for our amusement. Thanks, DMM.
Katana Scissors Inspired by Real Samurai
Nikken Cutlery has three types of katana scissors for your slicing needs, including one inspired by Oda Nobunaga’s sword and featuring a gold-tipped “scabbard.”
Outerwear Made from Synthetic Spider Silk
For the past 11 years, a Japanese company has been attempting to harness the strength of spider silk to create a new type of material with unprecedented versatility. They’ve now unveiled their working prototype: the Moon Parka.
The Tumbler Bento: Pure Genius!
YouTuber Ochikeron assembles three very different bento-style lunches in plastic travel tumblers. What a great idea!
Hot Gear from the 2014 Good Design Awards
Every year since 1957, Japan’s Good Design Awards have honored products that are designed in such a way to have a positive impact on people’s lives.
4 Businesses Inspired by the Bento Box
The bento’s sleekness, compactness, balance and visual appeal have spurred ideas for various businesses in Japan and beyond.
Japan Sports Agency Commissioner Daichi Suzuki
Highlighting Japan spoke with the commissioner of the newly-formed agency about the development of sports policy in Japan.
Lost Fukushima Wolf Deity Images Recreated
When Yamatsumi Shrine burned down in 2013, along with the structure itself went 240 images of a wolf deity that had watched over Iitate Village for nearly 1,000 years.
