All About Japan

Facial Recognition Tech Coming to Narita

Narita International Airport will introduce a facial recognition system to help speed up the boarding process come 2020.

How to Navigate a Japanese Air Conditioner

A handy guide to navigating all of the complicated settings on a Japanese air conditioner—trust us, when summer heats up you'll be glad you read this!

NTT Developing Automatic Checkout App

NTT Data Corporation has a new automatic checkout system that enables shoppers to simply choose their products and walk out of a store, paying automatically by mobile.

Self-Driving Bus Test Now Touring Tokyo Roads

SB Drive, a Softbank subsidiary, is putting their new self-driving bus through its next big test: navigating the public roads of Tokyo.

Fanbrella: the Coolest Way to Beat the Heat!

Fanbrella, a parasol equipped with a fan and a mist emitter, is arguably the coolest way to beat the heat

Lawson’s First Register-Free Store

Convenience store giant Lawson will open a store this month with no cash registers, and plans to more in the Tokyo area by summer 2020.

The Origins of the Tough G-SHOCK Watch

Over a hundred million G-SHOCK wristwatches have been shipped for sale to customers around the world since the brand debuted in 1983. This shockproof line of timepieces is a prime example of Japan’s high-quality manufacturing.

'Manifest 99' Rattles into Japan

The award-winning 'Manifest 99,' an ominous and eerie story set on a train inhabited by a murder of crows, is about finding redemption in the afterlife—and is now available in Japan!

Wheelchairs for Dogs Rolling out in Osaka

A couple in Osaka is making custom-built wheelchairs for handicapped dogs.

Wearable Tech to Keep You Cool This Summer

While summers in Japan can be miserably hot, Sony has a new solution to handle the heat.

Tokyo Motor Show Ready to Kick Off

A biennial event essential to Japan's automotive industry, the Tokyo Motor Show typically showcases the future of vehicles.

'Look, Ride & Feel' at Toyota Mega Web

This mobility-experience theme park spread across three facilities encourages visitors to "look, ride and feel" as they learn about (and climb into) the cars of the past and the transportation of the future.

Who Will Win in an Epic Manga Character Brawl?

A new fighting game will pit some of your favorite 'Shonen Jump' characters like Luffy, Naruto and Goku against one another in a crossover brawl of epic proportions.

An Innovative 'Nueu' Braille Typeface

A Japanese designer has created a new braille typeface that communicates in unexpected and innovative ways.

Travel Like a Pro with the WOW! JAPAN APP

With the in-depth info of a guidebook and special discounts and coupons you can use on your trip, the WOW! JAPAN APP is one of the best tools for visitors to Japan!

Robot Housekeepers in the Near Future

This housekeeping robot can keep your home spic and span while you're away!

The Incredible History of Nintendo Explained

Thanks to traditional Japanese playing cards, the Japanese mafia and an extendable toy claw, this company transformed itself into one of the most iconic gaming brands in Japan.

Step Inside One of Akihabara's Weirdest Shops

A very strange toy shop in Akihabara—an area chock-full of weird shops—sells whacky, bizarre and funny inventions.

EVs for the Elderly

In an effort to curb the increasing number of traffic accidents involving senior drivers in Japan, new types of electric vehicles are being developed with the aging population in mind.

Retro Gaming Havens in Tokyo

In an era where gaming is no longer a niche hobby, there are some who still crave the classic, retro games of yesteryear. Thankfully Tokyo contains a plethora of treasure troves when it comes to classic video games, and we're here to help you find them!

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