All About Japan

Things I Love About Japan: Rice Fields

There is nothing quite like rice fields in the Japanese countryside.

3 Okayama Burgers Full of Local Flavor

Okayama is known for its blue jeans—and with such classic Americana on-hand, it's no wonder the prefecture is also home to some pretty classy burgers!

Hydroponic Greens Grown Under the Tokyo Metro

Tokyo's elevated train spaces might be shaded from the sun, dreary and have most often been turned into bicycle and car parking, but surprisingly, where the sun doesn’t shine turns out to be an ideal setting for a garden.

An Offer You Can't Refuse!

While many rural areas of Japan are giving a small stipend to pay for housing, one area of Kagoshima is pulling out all the stops to bring in new residents.

8 Ways to Learn Japanese for (Almost) Free!

Learning Japanese can be easy, fun, and nearly free if you're ready to take on the challenge of getting more locally immersed!

16 Superb Views Found in Kyushu

Introducing the natural landscapes and gorgeous harmony you'll find only in Kyushu!

Exploring the Japanese Countryside

Whether you've been to Japan's rural parts or not, get ready to explore the Japanese countryside with a jittery boy and his cameraman dad!

Hungry for Ghibli-Style Animation?

If you're hungry for some Ghibli-style animation, look no further than this gorgeous video promoting locally sourced food in Kumamoto—made by the assistant director of 'Princess Mononoke'!

Rice Field Art—Not a Form of Crop Circle

Although the outer space theme may throw you off, this rice field art was not designed by extraterrestrial beings, but by the residents of Gyoda City in Saitama Prefecture.

6 Foreigners Making Waves in the Countryside

Most of the subjects of this story didn't see themselves where they are now—but all of them found something incredible in the Japanese countryside, leading each to develop a unique and indelible bond to the local community.

Niigata: The 'Ricebasket' of Japan

Located on the Sea of Japan in northwest Honshu, Niigata City is one of Japan’s most fertile farming areas. But there are plenty of things to see other than rice!

Have a Vegetable Garden Right in Your Kitchen

Without even requiring soil, this gardening pod gives farm-to-fork a whole new meaning.

Wonders of Japan: Harmony with Nature

Experience a traditional recycling-oriented lifestyle.

A Taste of Green Tourism in Traditional Japan

Despite their combined population of only 900, the villages of Shunran no Sato drew 11,000 visitors in 2014, attracted by the prospect of experiencing traditional Japanese life from locals only too happy to share.

Recovery Five Years After 3.11

As March 11, 2016 marks the fifth anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake, Highlighting Japan offers an update on the results and challenges of recovery efforts in the Tohoku region.

Bespectacled Rice Made by Farmers with Glasses

This product literally puts a face with a name!

The Ise-Shima G7 Summit Regions

10 cities around the country were selected to host ministerial meetings surrounding the 2016 G7 Summit in Ise-Shima. From education to IT and agriculture, each was selected for a very specific reason!

6 Great Innovations from Japan's Countryside

From urban planning and fish farming to food recycling and the re-invigoration of traditional techniques, a number of great ideas have come out of Japan's smaller towns and cities.

These Cantaloupes Are Ripe With Cuteness

Hokkaido's Hello Kitty melons are just too cute to slice into! But you'd better hurry if you want one since only 300 are available!

This Company Certainly has a Green Thumb!

Temporary staffing company Pasona Group is giving a whole new meaning to the term 'green business.'

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