A Home Ready for the 'New Normal'
Custom-home builder Aqurahome has unveiled features that can help residents take measures to keep the home cleaner.
AI Bartender Serving Up Age-Based Craft Beers
Electronics maker NEC has used artificial intelligence to come up with craft beers reflecting the characteristics of age groups. The AI analyzed some 300 magazines from a 40-year-period to propose beer tastes for people in their 20s to 50s.
Japan Rolls Out Paid Plastic Bags Policy
Japan mandates businesses to charge customers for plastic shopping bags as part of efforts to tackle plastic waste. Stores are responding in various ways.
Another Legendary Lego & Nintendo Crossover
First came the reveal of the Lego Super Mario set, which has fans’ hearts racing (and their wallets sweating). And now, the two companies are already getting fans hyped with another team-up.
Japanese Supercomputer Is World's Fastest
Japan’s Fugaku supercomputer, developed jointly by Riken and Fujitsu, has been ranked the fastest in the world.
Kitamura Shop Like Theme Park for Camera Fans
Kitamura Camera's new location, which just opened in early July 2020, hopes to become a one-stop-shop for amateur and professional photographers alike. And Spoon & Tamago has the scoop!
Hotel Why Thinks Zero Waste Is Not a Question
Tokushima has a zero-waste policy, and Hotel Why is doing its part to be a call-to-action hotel. Why is it shaped like a question mark? Read on to find out.
How Fireworks in Japan Were Used for Epidemics
Learn more about the meaning of fireworks in Japan and why they are connected to COVID-19.
Yamato Is Making Yukatas for All
Yamato, a kimono maker with over 100 years of history, decided to apply to their garments the concept of universal design, making them accessible for everyone.
Toyota Invests in Joint Space Venture
Toyota Motor and three major Japanese banks invest in a new fund for space development aimed at nurturing domestic startups in the field.
Award-Winning Train Designed by Architect
Architect Kazuyo Sejima’s commuter express train, Laview, took home a prestigious award for its sleek, unique look.
Social Distance Supper with a Stuffed Capybara
The restaurant at Izu Shabonten Zoo in Shizuoka, Japan is crowded! But not by people, but stuffed capybaras that have been strategically placed throughout the restaurant to maintain appropriate social distancing.
Japan to Abolish Seal-Stamping System
Life in Japan Traditional Japan
Bad news for fans of Japanese seals! Japan is looking to do away with its custom of physical seal stamping and come up with a digitized process.
Why Be Just a Snack When You Can Be Dessert?
Some days you want the soothing scent of incense to dispel the musty air of your home. Other days maybe you'd prefer to smell like an éclair instead of freshly picked flowers. Thankfully, Japanese cosmetics company Kobe Bijinnuuka has got you covered.
Kimono Company Makes Masks for Nightlife Staff
Otozuki, a manufacturer of traditional kimono garments, has teamed up with a company that runs nightclubs to develop hostess-friendly face masks that make it easy to sip drinks and converse with customers while maintaining a safe environment.
Get Good Lighting from Stylish Hurricane Lamp
Check out these cool floor lamps made from swirling water into a small hurricane.
Getting to Know Your Bathtub Better
Learn more about bathing in Japan with this online event.
Renaissance Paintings Purr-fect for Cat Lovers
Japanese contemporary artist Tokuhiro Kawai uses his mastery of oil painting to create surreal images that invoke the Italian painters of the High Renaissance. But instead of heroes, saints, and the divine, he largely focuses on lots of cats.
Bringing a 70-Year-Old Sento into Modern Day
It’s said that in Tokyo every week another sento goes bust. One of those was Miyanoyu, located in the Nezu district of Tokyo.
Toyota to Allow Permanent Work From Home
Toyota Motor will allow eligible employees to permanently work from home. Until now workers needed special permission to work remotely, but the automaker decided on the new measure due to increased productivity.
