All About Japan

All About the Local Creators' Market

Launched by Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), the Local Creators’ Market focuses on five Japanese locales noted for producing exquisite traditional handicrafts.

Endless Design Possibilities: Fukuyama Denim

Specialists in every step of denim manufacture—spinning, dyeing, weaving, washing—abound in Fukuyama, a leading producer of denim in Japan. The locale is a driving force behind the worldwide appeal of Japanese denim.

Taking Denim Beyond the Jean Jacket

Hiroshima is known for its denim. But the denim being made here may not be the kind of denim you know!

Handmade Knives in Yamagata

See how Shimada Cutlery Works carries on a blade-making tradition dating back to the year 1365.

Ginza Itoya: a Japanese Stationery Wonderland

Japanese stationery is among the best in the world and Itoya Ginza is one of the best places to experience it. A 12-story stationery wonderland with floors dedicated to a different themes, you're sure to be entranced for hours.

How Imari Ware Took Europe By Storm

Imari ware began shipping from Japan to Europe in the late 17th century, and the elegant porcelain thrilled royals and nobles. The mountain village of Okawachiyama and its secret kilns is the best place to explore the history of Imari ware.

Create Ukiyo-e Art at a Woodblock Party

If you're a fan of traditional Japanese art, you can create your own version of famous ukiyo-e paintings at Mokuhankan's woodblock print party experiences.

Complete Origami Experience at Origami Kaikan

Learn everything there is to know about the ins, outs, ups and downs of folding origami at this dedicated origami center.

Calligraphy Artist Speaks with Her Brush

Japanese calligrapher Nobuko Obata has pursued her lifelong passion for calligraphy, despite an accident that left her without hands from a young age.

Hyper-Realistic Cat Art Helps Cope with Loss

Wakuneco, a Japanese needle felting artist, works to help people cope with the loss of their beloved feline friends with incredibly realistic replicas made from felt.

The Evolution of the ¥100 Shop

It's amazing to see what ¥100 can buy! It's even more amazing to see what DIY projects some creative customers are able to accomplish using only materials from ¥100 shops!

Rep Your Prefectural Pride with Cool Necklaces

A Tokyo accessory maker has turned Japan's prefectures into pieces of art you can wear around your neck to show off your favorite location!

Natural Incense Born of Tradition

This beautiful leaf-shaped paper incense is produced by a company on Awaji Island that has been in the business for 120 years!

Stationery Supplies Look Good Enough to Eat!

Japan’s love for all things stationery can’t be denied. And their reputation as a nation of foodies also holds true. So it was only a matter of time before the two collided.

Feline Furniture is Purrfect for Cats & Owners

A company in Shimane Prefecture is making feline-friendly furniture that's great for both pets and owners!

Social Media Motivates Paper Cutting Artist

Social media is motivating a paper cutting artist to continue creating incredibly intricate works of art out of a single piece of paper.

Cool Down This Summer with Watery Earrings

Dive into these gorgeous earrings that look exactly like a pool of crystal clear shimmering water on a warm summer day!

Wakuneco Makes Heart-'felt' Portraits of Cats

A Japanese artist who goes by the name of Wakuneco is helping pet owners memorialize their furry friends with lifelike felt portraits.

Onitsuka Tiger: Shoes Running Around the World

Onitsuka Tiger is an iconic shoe brand produced by sporting goods company ASICS. Despite once disappearing from the market, it has been revived as a fashionable sneaker brand with global popularity.

Sumida Textiles: Hand-Dyed in Tokyo

The Sumida Ward has long prospered as the center of Japan's fabric industry. Even today, it is capable of reproducing nearly any color on demand.

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