The traditional art of Japanese paper making has a history that dates back well over 1,000 years. Kurotani in Kyoto is one of the oldest paper-making villages where the tradition continues in earnest, with artisans continuing the ancient practice of paper skimming, classed as an intangible cultural asset by Kyoto Prefecture.
Like all Japanese arts, the process of creating washi has a precise and meditative quality about it. From collecting and preparing the raw materials to filtering and pressing the paper, the movements of these craftspeople and the life they lead is truly a sight to behold.
Japanese filmmaker Takashi Kuroyanagi has captured these moments in a beautiful five-minute film that takes us through the process from beginning to end and the result is breathtaking in its meditative beauty. If you’re looking for a way to take five minutes to relax in a busy day, this video is the calming tonic you need.
Japanese burger chain no longer serves onion rings, but offers intriguing replacement【Taste test】
Kyoto Whopper divides customers at Burger King Japan
Starbucks Japan unveils second Holiday Frappuccino for 2024
New card game makes Japan’s saunas even steamier
Domino’s erupts with a 1kg Cheese Volcano in Japan
Hello Kitty isn’t a cat!? We called Sanrio to find out!
Ghibli’s Princess Mononoke teams up with Foxfire for outdoor apparel collaboration【Photos】
Three shojo manga/anime scenes Japanese survey respondents wish would happen to them
The future is now: Developing robotics to help stroke victims learn to walk again
Japan’s new frozen sushi DIY kit – Great foodie fun, or cold-hearted abomination?【Taste test】
One of Japan’s most beautiful hot spring towns announces new limits on number of day trippers
Berserk T-shirts coming to Uniqlo for launch of new Manga Curation line【Photos】
Mario Kart Happy Meal toys arrive at McDonald’s Japan, and SoraNews24 has the whole set!【Photos】
After cancelling Halloween, Tokyo’s Shibuya neighborhood cancels New Year’s Eve too
Tokyo park’s sea of clouds, nighttime illumination, and cosplay days make now perfect time to visit
Samurai ritual suicide contest cancelled by organizer in west Japan
Japanese job-quitting service contacted by other job-quitting service because employee wants to quit
Flying dango: Unique tourist site where Japanese sweets are flown to you over a gorge
American jackass tourist arrested after carving name into gate at Tokyo’s Meiji Shrine【Video】
Nintendo’s controller capsule toys are so cool, even the machine you buy them from is awesome【Pics】
Tokyo Disneyland loses top-attendance crown for Japanese theme parks for second year in a row
Ghibli Park debuts first winter illumination display with Howl’s Moving Castle theme
Pringles releases a limited-edition sweet flavour in Japan
Sanrio and magical girl anime PreCure join forces for new merch line【Photos】
What’s the deal with akebi, the perfectly purple, alien-like fruit that’s in season now in Japan?
McDonald’s new Happy Meals offer up cute and practical Sanrio lifestyle goods
Foreign tourists on Shinkansen bullet train break suitcase etiquette, angering local passengers
[Deleted] Article written for April Fool’s Day 2018
Japanese government to make first change to romanization spelling rules since the 1950s
Foreigner’s request for help in Tokyo makes us sad for the state of society
Ghibli founders Toshio Suzuki and Hayao Miyazaki contribute to Japanese whisky Totoro label design
Japanese convenience store Family Mart announces abolishment of eat-in spaces
Princesses, fruits, and blacksmiths: Study reveals the 30 most unusual family names in Japan
Life-size vibrating Legend of Zelda Master Sword for sale from Nintendo【Photos】
Studio Ghibli releases free-download board game — Here’s how to play it without reading Japanese
Hello Kitty isn’t a cat!? We called Sanrio to find out!
Ghibli’s Princess Mononoke teams up with Foxfire for outdoor apparel collaboration【Photos】
Three shojo manga/anime scenes Japanese survey respondents wish would happen to them
The future is now: Developing robotics to help stroke victims learn to walk again
Japan’s new frozen sushi DIY kit – Great foodie fun, or cold-hearted abomination?【Taste test】
Yakuza vending machines coming to real-world Tokyo neighborhood that inspired Like a Dragon games
Japan’s caramel gacha machines offer sweet thrills, but do they deliver?
Is the Grimace shake worth the hype?
The top 10 (plus one) Shonen Jump manga protagonists, as decided by Japanese netizens
How to properly eat a traditional Japanese tonkatsu meal
We pop into Bear Paw Cafe in Osaka… Actually it popped out to us
Natsumi’s pink scooter from Weathering with You now on sale from Honda for a limited time