All About Japan

An 8-Day Journey Through the 'Rising Dragon'

Travel through the 'Rising Dragon' region of Japan, where you'll find ancient shrines, exquisite gold leaf, top-ranked gardens, incredible festivals, panoramic mountain views, plus markets, museums, kabuki and more!

Shoryudo: Knockout Destinations

From ropeways and waterfalls to castles and historic gardens, the 'Rising Dragon Road' through central Japan does everything to catch your eye!

The Darker Side: 'Star Wars' Ink Portraits

'Bujin-ga' artist Masayuki Kojo captures characters from 'Star Wars,' creating versions of Darth Vader and the storm troopers like never before.

Kanpai with Kitty Cat Sake Cups

Let adorable traditional 'ukiyo-e' cat art add to your drinking pleasure with these Japanese sake cups featuring stylized kitties!

A Beautiful Blend of Japanese Artistry

One skilled Japanese artist creates intricate cut-paper origami cranes that are so finely detailed, you'll have to see it to believe it.

A Jack-o'-Lantern That Bridges Cultures

Jack-o'-lanterns might have originated in Ireland, but this pumpkin uses motifs such as flowers, vegetables and fruits that are reminiscent of traditional Thai carvings.

6 Hokusai Watercolors Found in Netherlands?

In a stunning revelation, six Western-style watercolor paintings in the Netherlands have been suggested to be works of Katsushika Hokusai, the most famous 'ukiiyo-e' artist of Japan's Edo Period.

The Mesmerizing Art of Coin Stacking

Coin stacking is a beautifully compelling reason to hang onto your change after you go shopping in Japan.

A New Kind of Seasonal Art Medium

Disney and Japanese anime are some of the inspirations for these transient masterpieces.

Every Animator's Dream Desk

This DIY project by a Japanese animator is complete with an embedded graphics tablet!

Beauty Inside & Out: World Heritage Art Museum

Of the 17 World Heritage buildings that make up 'The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier, an Outstanding Contribution to the Modern Movement,' Tokyo boasts the only one in East Asia.

Shoryudo — Rising Dragon of Japan

Have you ever made soy sauce by hand? Neither had Rachel! Follow her journey through the 'Rising Dragon' of Japan, a route that travels through Shizuoka, Aichi, Ishikawa, Gifu and Nagano Prefectures.

A Traditional Twist on Nintendo Characters

Mario, Pokémon, Link, Star Fox and more are brought to life artistically through the same process used 200 years ago.

Incredible Rolled Newspaper Animal Sculptures

Inspired by her encounter with a rhino in Africa, artist Chie Hitotsuyama creates amazingly lifelike sculptures of animals—out of newspaper!

Gorgeous Tohoku Drawing Took 3.5 Years to Make

Artist Manabu Ikeda unveils a monumental pen and ink drawing, depicting scenes from the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami, that took nearly 3.5 years to complete.

Japan's 20 UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Every traveler to Japan should be sure to visit at least a few of the nation's stellar World Heritage Sites, ranging from 1,000-year-old temples and shrines to breathtaking natural biospheres.

5 Fantastic Character Bread Recipes

Find out how to make fluffy, edible versions of Totoro, Baymax, Winnie the Pooh and more!

UNESCO Sites in the Tokyo Area

Tokyo is great for food, shopping and relaxation. But you should know there are also a handful of stellar World Heritage Sites right in the area!

Stunning Recreations of Ghibli Classics

Totoro, Princess Mononoke and other favorites inspire some new masterpieces.

These Aren't Your Average Origami

This Japanese Twitter user stunned us with his amazing origami skills by using only one single piece of paper to create elaborate animals and historical figures.

know-before-you-go