culture

Starbucks Japan opens new store inside historic seaside quarantine station near Tokyo

Sip on Starbucks in a setting once linked to infectious diseases.

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Studio Ghibli releases new Spirited Away earrings featuring mysterious anime bathhouse character

Cleverly designed jewellery sways while you wear it, just like Kasuga-sama does in the animated film.

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Katana of one of Japan’s most famous swordsmen goes on display to help Kumamoto earthquake victims

The sword of the vice-captain of the Shinsengumi is being called into action once again in a touching story of repaying kindness.

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Pachinko industry rebounds on convenience and innovation, but smaller parlors struggle to keep up

No more heavy ball baskets or stacks of cash, but the same ol’ sensory rush with a modern flair.

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Dance with demons in Kyoto at this Edo-period Japanese Halloween festival

Turning a samurai film set into a monster dance party with J-pop choreography.

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Evangelion beautifully reimagined as iconic classical Japanese folding screen art series [Photos]

Fujin and Raijin take a break and leave divine duties up to the Eva units.

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Enoshima’s magical night lantern festival is back this summer with spectacular views

An island transforms into a wonderland of digital art, musical sea shells, and 1,000 glowing lanterns.

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Studio Ghibli mini towels add anime flair to a Japanese cultural tradition

Beloved Ghibli characters want to hold your hand and welcome you into the Japanese world of mini towels.

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“Alcohol is the best medicine” removed from Japanese government website

A few beers a day keeps the doctor away, because you forgot your appointment.

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Japan opens shrine for plush toys in Kyoto, offering memorial rites and a resting place for remains

A heartwarming way to say thank you to the plush toys you have loved, and who have loved you in return. 

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Japanese soccer fans show excellent manners as World Cup opens[Pics, video]

Chants and headbands aren’t the only tradition supporters of Japan’s sports teams bring with them when attending events overseas.

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What’s up with the Ghibli Park photo and video ban?

Theme park prohibition strangely opens the door to a new kind of creative freedom. 

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Gundam teams up with 300-year-old daruma maker for wood-carved anime mecha figures[Photos]

It’s a Gun-daruma!

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Japanese temple burns to the ground, fire burning inside for 1,200 years unharmed

Sacred fire saved from non-sacred fire on Miyajima.

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Now you can carry the unnerving terror and beauty of Noh masks with you with new pouches from Japan

Practical and horrifying!

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Shinto shrine will bless your bike helmet and give you a sacred bike helmet stamp

Pray to get ahead or to keep your head.

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Temple with 600-year-old tree near busy Tokyo station is like a tranquil pocket dimension

Who’d have guessed there was a centuries-old snack shop too just a quick stroll away from one of downtown’s busiest rail hubs?

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Japanese-style afternoon tea in this Japanese manor house outside downtown Tokyo is something special

The atmosphere is as elegant as the cuisine at this amazing restaurant.

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Japanese manhole lid raises eyebrows with fertility god symbol that looks like… well, you know

Festival of the Steel Phallus deity gets a steel lid in a rural city. 

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Famous koi ponds overwhelmed with tourists throwing thousands of coins in them

Koi and coins don’t mix.

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