All About Japan

Why Japan Loves Fish

Food culture expert Takeo Koizumi explains exactly why fish are so central to Japanese cuisine culture.

Photos from Japan to You

Ranging from skin care and shoes to kimono and charms from shrines, blogger and model Matsu-you* introduces her favorite aspects of Japan for the G7 Japan 2016 Ise-Shima Photography Contest.

December in Japan

From Nikko and Tokyo to Kyoto, Miyajima and more, the cold temperatures didn't stop these travelers from checking out the best of Japan.

Akiu Crafts Park in Miyagi

Get a hands-on experience with nine different tradition crafts from Miyagi Prefecture.

Happy Ninja Day!

So what’s so special about February 22 in Japan? And what's the connection with Ninja?

The Secrets of Japanese School Lunch

If you've ever taught at a Japanese elementary school, this video is sure to bring back memories!

10 Days of Japanese Public School Lunch

After detailed investigation, The Japan Guy has determined that Japanese public school lunches beat the pants off the lunches at his elementary school back home.

4 Essential Pieces of Ninja Gear

In the world of fiction, ninja climb like Spider-man and toss out weapons like they've got bottomless Bat-utility belts. But how much was real, and how much is modern embellishment? A look at their gear will help us find out!

A Photographer's Eye on Japanese Folk Arts

Yusuke Nishimura photographs the unknown world of Japanese performing folk arts.

750 Years of Soy Sauce Tradition

With a tradition dating back more than seven centuries, Yuasa soy sauce has taken to the tables of Europe's finest restaurants.

Download Japan’s 72 Microseasons as an App

The traditional Japanese calendar had 72 microseasons. This gorgeous app will not only tell you the season, but also poetically give you the seasonal word, fish, vegetable and activity!

5 Nostalgic 'Dagashi' Treats

Cheap 'dagashi' snacks were produced for a time when kids used to count their pocket money instead of their Facebook likes. And they're still kicking!

Bringing Japanese Food Culture to the World

Highlighting Japan sat with Food Industry Affairs Bureau Director-General Masayuki Yamashita to talk about MAFF's global strategy following UNESCO's recognition of Japanese cuisine as an element of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2013.

Take the Path of Faith to Discover Nature

Rediscover yourself in mystical places deep in the mountains.

These Charms are Simply, Well, Charming!

A Buddhist temple in Tokyo has taken it upon itself to customize charms that are then blessed by a priest.

10 Stealthy Ninja Tools You Haven't Heard Of

Other than the classic ninja star, or shuriken as it's known in Japan, there were many tools ninja kept on-hand to thwart their enemies—and some of them will surprise you!

Learn Japanese Calligraphy at Your Hotel

This workshop at the Shiba Park Hotel covers a single basic but fun point: how to write your name in katakana, hiragana and phonetic kanji. Best of luck with your brush technique!

The Secrets of the Daruma Doll

The Daruma doll symbolizes good luck and perseverance in modern-day Japan. But how did a tumbler toy come to have such cultural significance, and what are the reasons behind its peculiar customs?

Brush Up on Your Japanese Buddhism Knowledge

Impress your friends by showcasing your knowledge of the differences between Japan's two main religions, Shinto and Buddhism—or wow them with the origin of those cute, one-eyed, red 'daruma' dolls.

Unwinding in Nagato-shi

Discover a gorgeous traditional inn located in this peaceful Yamaguchi city, then visit the largest limestone cave in the Orient.

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