Make Your Own Chopsticks from 'Hamidashimono'
For more than 100 years, a town in Nara Prefecture has been using leftover, high-quality cypress wood from the home construction process to create disposable chopsticks. And now, you can make your own at home.
A Stunning Photographic Look at Japan 2019
As the year comes to an end, we’re afforded several opportunities to reflect on the past 12 months, such as the Kansai Photojournalism Awards., where exceptional photojournalism and videography from 2019 were recognized by the association.
Japan Banned Resale of Masks at High Prices
Japan's government approves a ban on reselling masks for unreasonable profits.
Pocket Change: The Money Travel Hack Machine
Leaving the country with a pocket full of yen coins? Visit a Pocket Change kiosk to transfer them into valuable digital currency!
Mask Shortage Amid Fears of Coronavirus
Stores in Japan cannot keep face masks in stock as people around the country stock up to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
Japan's $2.6 Billion Coronavirus Package Plan
The Japanese government announces its second emergency package to fight the new coronavirus epidemic.
Salivate over Plastic Food in Kappabashi
Want to know where those food displays in front of restaurants comes from? Explore the world of plastic food models at Sample Shop Maiduru.
Cashless Payment at Japan’s Post Offices
Starting with 65 branches, cashless payment is coming to the Japanese postal service. Japan Post plans to expand the service to 85,000 post offices in May, and to all branches in the future.
DESTROY ALL THE THINGS at the Reeast Room
It's stressful being a civilized, polite human being. Sometimes you just want to let yourself go wild. That's why the Reeast Room was created—to release the beast and destroy all the things.
Japan to Ban Travelers from US, China & Korea
Japan is set to ban all travelers from the United States, China, South Korea and most of Europe, including those who have been to those countries within 14 days.
JNTO Multilingual Coronavirus Hotline
Japan National Tourism Organization has a visitor hotline at 050-3816-2787 that accepts inquiries about coronavirus in English, Chinese and Korean.
Tiny Tokyo Apartments Are Surprisingly Popular
Ququri studio apartments offer just 4.64 square meters (49.94 square feet) of usable floor space, but with prices this low, it’s all some people need.
Ritual for the Regrets of Unused Paid-Time-Off
In Osaka, a Buddhist monk sat at the front of a large room chanting, surrounded by 300 lanterns. The chants, however, were not Buddhist scriptures. They were the regrets and remorse of individuals who had been unable to take their paid-time-off.
Vintage Diving at Toyo Department Store
If you're a true Tokyo hipster, you'd know that Shimokitazawa is the place to be for thrift shopping and fashion. And part of that reason is Toyo Department Store.
Government: Japan Has Enough Toilet Paper
Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Hiroshi Kajiyama says Japan has enough toilet paper and urges people to stop hoarding.
Japan’s Government Policy Regarding Corona
Japan’s government adopts a basic policy to contain the spread of COVID-19.
New Japanese Passports Feature Famous Artworks
In February, Japan began issuing new passports featuring the well-known works of ukiyo-e master Katsushika Hokusai.
Get to Know Japan’s Top 10 Buzzwords of 2019
Learning Japanese Life in Japan
The candidates for the top ten catchphrases that defined Reiwa's first year are here. Who knew bubble tea could be a verb?
Can You Survive on Only ¥150,000 a Month?
Is ¥150,000 (US$1,389) a month enough to live on in Tokyo? That’s plenty for life in Japan’s capital, claims a twenty-something Japanese woman. But could you live like her?
2019 Ranking of Japan's Rudest Train Behaviors
Every year, commuters participate in an annual survey to determine the most aggravating behaviors observed on trains and at stations. Learn what not to do on Japanese transportation with the 2019 poll results.
