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Tottori’s Winter Season: Lights & Sand Dunes

When most Japanese people think of Tottori, the first thing that pops into their minds is the famous Tottori Sand Dunes. The summer is a great time for sand—but Tottori also has some unique offerings in winter, too!

Hot Gear from the 2014 Good Design Awards

Every year since 1957, Japan’s Good Design Awards have honored products that are designed in such a way to have a positive impact on people’s lives.

Mao Asada Goes Kung-fu Against the Common Cold

Japan's darling figure skating champion faces herself in a Matrix-style rumble for cold medicine.

Finalists Announced for New 2020 Tokyo Stadium

Two competing groups have offered proposals coming in at just under ¥150 billion, which is about half of what the original Zaha Hadid stadium was going to cost.

7 Incredible Activities in Minakami, Gunma

Minakami is one exciting gem of a Japanese countryside town!

Bouldering + Karaoke = Boulkara

A Japanese operator of karaoke chains is combining bouldering with karaoke to create an entirely new and grueling activity called "boulkara."

Japan’s Best-Known Ninja Lives in Chiba

Masaaki Hatsumi teaches the ways of the samurai and the art of ninjutsu to aspiring shadow warriors and law enforcement personnel from all over the world.

Top 3 Cycling Routes in Japan

Change your perception of Japan by taking an unforgettable bicycle ride through some of the country's rural and picturesque areas.

Are You This Coordinated?

Think you have good hand-eye-foot coordination? Perhaps you should consider joining the Nippon Sport Science University marching team!

Sporting Nation

The October 2015 issue of Highlighting Japan examines the history and evolution of sports in Japan, running the gamut from Paralympians and FIFA soccer referees to sumo wrestlers and modern practitioners of ninjutsu.

Japanese Schoolgirl Ninja Parkour

Urban parkour videos are nothing new, but this one took us by surprise with its kickass/kawaii protagonists and nod to the ancient martial art of ninjutsu!

The Most Bike-Friendly City in Japan

Tochigi Prefecture's Utsunomiya City hopes to become a haven for cyclists with its unique topography and climate.

Kendo Looks Awesome in Kyoto

This incredible video will make you want to pick up a sword and visit Kyoto. In a good way.

Tokyo to Mount Fuji Bicycle Tour

If climbing this enormous volcano isn’t for you, why not bike around it instead?

Fresh Accumulation at Japan's Top Snow Site

SnowJapan is greeting the 2015/2016 season with a sprawling travel section upgrade.

Top 6 Ways to Enjoy the Ocean in Chiba

Aquatic adventures await, a mere day trip away from Tokyo!

Breaking Olympic Records with Prosthetic Limbs

Ken Endo returned to Japan in 2012 after researching robotic prosthetics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He now aims to help a Paralympic sprinter shatter the Olympic speed record.

Japan Sports Agency Commissioner Daichi Suzuki

Highlighting Japan spoke with the commissioner of the newly-formed agency about the development of sports policy in Japan.

6 Incredible Spots for a Run in Japan

These spots in the Japanese countryside will make you want to break out your running shoes!

Creepy, Crawly... Human Caterpillars?

Inch your way across the court in Caterpillar Rugby, a game that allows people with physical disabilities to participate on the same level as able-bodied people.

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