A new model of urban community collaboration in Shinjuku’s Kabukicho area connects the generations using mint as a bridge.
gardening
Magical character from Howl’s Moving Castle makes the leap from the anime world and into our hearts and homes.
Give someone a bag of chips and they can eat for a minute, but teach them to bag of chips….
Specially cultivated to bloom after they arrive at your home, these trees will provide sakura memories for years to come.
People in Japan are swooning after discovering the many talents of this foreign-born gardener who gave up his original nationality to become Japanese.
Adorable houseplant is a relative of the hot dog cactus.
With amazing outdoor eating spaces set on moss-covered grounds in the middle of the woods, this is a secret haven for lovers of nature and Studio Ghibli.
Once its life as a pencil is over, this innovative piece of stationery will colour your garden by blooming into a variety of edible plants.
So a friend and I have a debate about what happens at the end of the Studio Ghibli anime movie Castle in the Sky Laputa. As the credits roll, the floating island is seen drifting into space, which I, as is my simple-minded nature, take literally. On the other hand, my friend argues that the visuals are at least partly metaphoric, and that the mysterious landmass didn’t really escape Earth’s orbit (he also contends that my proposed Laputa/Space Dandy crossover/sequel is too silly to ever get made).
But while it’s likely Laputa director and creator Hayao Miyazai purposely chose to craft an ambiguous ending to the film, we do now know what happened to the island: it became this awesome hanging planter from anime retailer Benelic.
The concept of plant factories is not a new one. Especially in space-strapped Japan, the idea of a compact garden that can simulate a natural environment in a tight urban area is highly desirable.
Keystone Technologies is one Japanese company that has been constantly refining their LED garden technology. Currently they boast a system that can fit about a quarter acre’s worth of crops into a space of a hotel’s single-room, and that’s just the beginning.
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Live-action Spirited Away stage play announces world tour with first-ever U.S. and Canadian dates
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Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
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Monthly
- Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Studio Ghibli store Donguri Republic announces opening of first-ever store in America
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Uniqlo reveals third round of massive 100-year-anniversary manga T-shirts for Jump’s Shueisha
Even at twice regular Daiso price, this handy item is still great for summer travel in Japan
Japanese sweets shop sells an ohagi so exquisite it sells out by noon
New official Ghibli anime food cookbook will teach you how to make Ponyo’s ramen and more
Forget Tokyo go-karts – there’s a new way to sightsee on four wheels in Japan
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We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
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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Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
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Blind Tokyo commuter explains the easiest place for him to stand while riding the train
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Tokyo has only two barley tea makers, and we visited one to see how mugicha is made
Taco Spaghetti appears in Japan, and our taco fan rushes to try it[Taste test]
Here’s what Shibuya’s famous scramble intersection looked like after the Japan vs. Sweden match
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International fugitive Carlos Ghosn says he’d be best person to head Nissan now
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Speed trap camera stolen from Saitama Police while in use
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