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Life-Size Dolls Enliven Girls' Festival Event

Life-size “Hina” dolls are on display at a historic inn in Shizuoka Prefecture, southwest of Tokyo, for the doll festival on March 3.

Fighting Unconscious Bias in Male Students

A group of university students launch a project to fight against unconscious bias.

Tottori Folk Crafts: Traditions Passed Down Over Generations

Tottori Prefecture is located in the northeastern part of Japan’s Chugoku region, on the western edge of the main island of Honshu. Long and narrow, it runs from east to west along the Sea of Japan.

Japanese Onomatopoeia: There's a Word for That

Get help learning Japanese onomatopoeia with the help of 100 international illustrators in one remarkable little book.

The Roots of Tottori's History and Culture in Japanese Mythology

Tottori Prefecture is located in the northeastern part of Japan’s Chugoku region, on the western edge of the main island of Honshu. Long and narrow, it runs from east to west along the Sea of Japan.

The City of Himeji: More than Just a Castle

Himeji is a major destination for many visitors to Japan thanks to its spectacular castle, but there is far more to experience in this compact city, filled with history, regional foods, and friendly locals!

Brit Amelia Hiorns is Working to Save Japan’s Bear Population

Amelia Hiorns has one of the most unusual jobs in Japan. As a member of the Picchio Wildlife Research Center’s Bear Team, she works with black bears, Karelian bear dogs, and humans, all in an effort to promote wildlife conservation.

250+ Free Pictograms All About Life in Japan

Graphic designer Kenya Hara and Nippon Design Center have created over 250 pictograms supporting tourism visually. And you can get them for free!

Hakko Department: One-Stop Shop for All Things Fermented in Trendy Shimokitazawa

How one man is aiming to change the world with Japan's fermentation culture.

11 Alternative Tours In Kyoto

Beyond the temples and shrines, the city of Kyoto offers so much more. Take a look at our list of the best alternative tours in Kyoto for an off the beaten path experience, courtesy of Trip101!

Five Young Japanese Women Making a Difference

A look at some young Japanese women making waves and inspiring others in their respective fields. Our “A list” includes an actress, an artist, an athlete, an author and an advocate for social change.

Book Designs for Ishiguro's New Novel Released

We've got the scoop on prolific author Kazuo Ishiguro's latest book cover designs. But why are they so dramatically different?

Pilgrimage Temples & Sake Brewers Join Forces

Buddhist temples that are part of the Shikoku Pilgrimage and local sake makers in southwestern Japan cooperate to overcome difficulties they face amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The Isolated Attractions of Shikoku's "Tibet"

Some dedicated people are intent on saving the small village of Kito, and the last 20 bears that live in the surrounding mountains.

Bear Attacks in Japan: There Is A Solution

Tried and True Ways to Coexist as told by a bear conservationist

Four Japanese Women Who Changed History

Meet four Japanese women who were pioneers in education and medicine. Tsuda Umeko, Oyama Sutematsu, Ogino Ginko, and Kusumoto Ine fought the status quo and created new opportunities for the generations of women who followed.

Discover Japanese Woodwork Traditions at Takenaka Carpentry Tools Museum

This Kobe museum features the traditions and technology of Japanese carpentry and tool artisanship that are used in buildings from simple tea houses to complex temple designs.

Toilet Wonders of the Architectural World

Head to Shibuya in Tokyo to experience toilets like you've never experienced them before.

Mount Unzen Eruption Site to be Preserved

Locals in southwestern Japan begin digging up areas devastated by the 1991 eruption at Mount Unzen as part of efforts to preserve the disaster remains.

Memorializing March 11 Victims in Mandala Art

Artist Yuri Shimojo turned a way to deal with the pain of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami into peace-filled art with her "Memonto Mori" series of mandala-like paintings.

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