craft
The annual exhibition creates an enchanting town of light amid the fiery colors of autumn trees.
One of Japan’s oldest breweries carries on the craft as UNESCO registers Japanese sake brewing as Intangible Cultural Heritage this month.
We can neither confirm nor deny whether wearing this necklace will transform you into Eternal Sailor Moon.
Pop-up stores in Gunma Prefecture will also showcase these fashion items that bridge the past and present.
Indulge your inner child in a more mature manner with Lego’s new bonsai and flower bouquet sets.
The amount of detail in this little yatai food cart will instantly transport you to the streets of Japan.
These simple but clever designs are sure to enchant not only the children but the grown-ups as well.
These stunning images show how craftsmen keep their UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage alive during the coldest months of the year.
Designed to resemble traditional uchiwa fans, these exquisite lollipops are amongst the prettiest sweets in Tokyo.
Fancy a purr-fect replica of your very own feline friend? This Japanese needle-felting artist recreates kitties in stunning, realistic detail to order.
With the Japanese reverence for aesthetically pleasing food, it’s no surprise that candy crafting artisan Shinri Tezuka has made a name for himself with his fantastic sugar creations. As we reported previously, he has been in charge of his own shop, Asakusa Amezaiku Ameshin, since 2013, and is perhaps best known for his incredibly lifelike candy goldfish.
Since our last report, Tezuka has been so busy raising his profile by appearing on numerous Japanese television shows and at various events, he’s now been able to open up a second store, right underneath Tokyo Skytree!
Remember those traditional Japanese sweets from last summer that were simply divine? Oh, and let’s not forget those cupcakes that were almost too beautiful to eat!
Japan sure knows how to elevate its food to an unparalleled level of art, and today we’d like to introduce you to the works of another master Japanese craftsman of sweets. His life’s passion is creating exquisitely detailed animal-shaped candy, which are so astoundingly intricate that it probably won’t be long before a museum asks to put them on display!
Nengajo, or New Year’s greeting cards, are a ubiquitous part of the end-of-year season in Japan. Much like Christmas cards in the west, nengajo are sent to family and friends to update them on what you’ve been up to that year. In fact, there are so many nengajo sent at the end of the year that post offices in Japan have to employ students as temporary staff to make sure they meet the delivery deadline of January 1. While there are plenty of preprinted cards available from stationery shops, many people opt to make their own, personalised cards. A nice touch, but results may vary depending on the artistic skills (and sense of humour) of the postcard sender! To show you what we mean, we’ve put together a little list of the best of this year’s nengajo. Some of them are genuinely impressive, while others would make us cringe if the neighbours saw ’em!
Most people who have a fondness for Japan have encountered origami at one point or another. It’s certainly one of the most famous of the Japanese paper arts and the origami crane carries so much more meaning than a simple piece of paper.
Another Japanese art that utilizes the complexities of paper is kirie, or paper cutting art. All it takes is a craft knife, a little dedication and free time and you can turn a black piece of paper into a stand-out work of art. Looking for a new hobby this winter vacation? Look no further than kirie!
Kitty owners out there will know that the struggle is real when it comes to battling shedding, especially if you have a long-haired cat. But what to do with all those clumps of fur that accumulate after a brushing? Well, netizens in Japan have begun recycling unwanted feline detritus by utilizing an innovative method of crafting to create beautiful works of furry art, meaning that not a whisker needs to be wasted! Join us after the jump for more on these critter creations!
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Monthly
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir- Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
- Japan now has human refrigerators inspired by Japanese vending machines
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- New Shinkansen luggage drop-off system begins in Japan, making train travel even easier
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Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
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Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
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Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
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New Shinkansen luggage drop-off system begins in Japan, making train travel even easier
Kodama Shinkansen trains on popular Japan route get a whole new look this winter
Japanese Coo-Che becomes a viral sensation, and everyone wants a taste
Which country’s foreign tourists spend the most money per-person in Japan? Hint: Not the U..S. or China
Face lettuce appears in Japan, with the face of Death Note’s Light Yagami, but why?
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Dance with demons in Kyoto at this Edo-period Japanese Halloween festival
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Studio Ghibli releases Japanese curry shirts in honour of anime about the studio’s staff
Foreign hiker on Mt. Fuji loses consciousness and dies, becoming climbing season’s second fatality
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