All About Japan All About Japan

Fresh start every Monday!

Japan's Most Sacred Shrine

Ise Jingu, considered to be one of Japan's most sacred shrines, is surrounded by fun and unique foods and activities to try.

Shop for Your Dream Life at the Loft in Ginza

Ginza's Loft store is attempting to spark a little more joy and awe with items to inspire you every day.

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.

Kagurazaka: Fusion of Kyoto and Paris in Tokyo

Kagurazaka is an eclectic mix of Edo Japan and French influences. Although originally known for geishas in the Edo era, it is now a hub for fine dining and delicious street food.

State of Emergency Will Not Disrupt Services

Japan declares a state of emergency, but it will be business as usual for public infrastructure, major banks, and convenience stores.

Shohei Otomo's Hyper Realistic Pen Drawings

The artist Shohei creates dauntingly dense and bold ballpoint pen drawings. He also happens to be the son of Katsuhiro Otomo, the creator of Akira.

Hokkaido Receives Largest Snowfall This Winter

The capital of Japan's northernmost prefecture of Hokkaido receives the largest amount of snowfall this winter.

Sake Brewing in Saku

Ever tried sake brewing? Learn how an ancient beverage can give you a glimpse into some of Japan's most enduring cultural traditions in the city of Saku, in Nagano.

Tokyo Olympics Will Start July 23, 2021

The postponed Tokyo Olympics will kick off on July 23 2021, while the Paralympics will begin August 24. The games were delayed for a year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Kumamoto Remembers Quake Victims Amid Pandemic

A memorial ceremony to mark the 4th anniversary of the Kumamoto earthquake was downsized to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus.

One of the Oldest Japanese Gardens in Tokyo

Koishikawa Korakuen is arguably one of the oldest and most exquisite traditional Japanese gardens in Tokyo. Like all Japanese gardens, you can find picture-perfect miniature hills, ponds, stones, trees, and vibrant flowers and foliage.

Japan to Scale Down Olympic Torch Relay

Tokyo Games organizers plan to scale down the Olympic torch relay to a lantern tour by car amid the growing novel coronavirus pandemic. The event is scheduled to start March 26.

Tokyo Governor Asks for Restraint

Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike asks Tokyo residents to abstain from going to bars, clubs, karaoke and other nightlife spots to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Chill at the 71st Annual Sapporo Snow Festival

The 71st annual Sapporo Snow Festival kicked off on Tuesday, February 4, 2020, in Hokkaido, the northernmost prefecture of Japan.

Garden Opened to Public Despite Outbreak

A private garden in central Japan opened its doors to tourists for free, while other gardens in Tokyo shut its doors due to the growing coronavirus pandemic.

Japan’s Government Policy Regarding Corona

Japan’s government adopts a basic policy to contain the spread of COVID-19.

Going to Gotokuji, The Lucky Cat Temple

If you are obsessed with cats, then if there is one temple you should visit: Gotokuji Temple—the temple adorned with hundreds of maneki neko, or lucky beckoning cat statues.

Tearing Down The House

Officials in Tokyo spent nearly US$27,000 tearing down a decaying house in the Kita Ward.

Cardboard Beds for Olympians Revealed

In order to be more eco-conscious, Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic athletes will sleep in beds made of cardboard.

A Reunion 9 Years After Tohoku Earthquake

Nine years after the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami on March 11, 2011, and Japan is still on the road to recovery. But one grieving couple found some comfort in the rubble.

know-before-you-go