Photographer Miki Asai lives in Hokkaido, the northernmost of Japan’s four main islands. It’s an area known for its expansive natural beauty, and although Asai does sometimes turn her lens to the broad vistas Hokkaido has to offer, some of her most engaging work focuses on much, much smaller subjects like beads of water, bits of dandelion fluff and even the humble ant.
Says Asai, “Through a macro lens, I am trying to show the beautiful world of the small. I am always surprised when I look through the camera’s viewfinder to see things normally unseen.”
Mt. Fuji decorated with a 500,000-flower pink carpet is Japan’s ultimate spring view
30 Pikachus want to share a Tokyo hotel room with you that has separate Grass, Water, Fire spaces
New Travelling Bento pouches turn your luggage into a Japanese lunch box
Thousands Protest McDonald’s Online Speech Policy by Tweeting: “The Chicken Tatsuta is Delicious!”
Yokohama restaurant serves fried axolotl, along with giant isopod, camel, and crocodile
These apartments are crazy-small even by Tokyo standards, and super-popular with young people
A pack of natto (fermented Japanese soybeans) a day keeps the death away according to study
One Piece anime katanas recreated as exquisite letter openers by Japan’s swordsmith legacy heirs
Sanrio changes Hello Kitty lead designer for first time in 46 years
Japan has vending machines that put protective film on your phone for you — Here’s how to use them
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Starbucks Japan closing only Shinkansen platform branch for popularity-triggered renovations
You can assemble a well-balanced team of Pokémon, them eat them, thanks to Japanese cake chain
Two food hacks take Japan’s convenience store fried chicken to amazing new sandwich heights
7-Eleven Japan’s new baked-in-store sweet treat is only available in three parts of the country
Man bites woman at cherry blossom park in Japan, dies shortly after
Peanuts and Coke becomes a viral hit in Japan, but is it a trend worth joining?
Can a downtown Tokyo super sento bathhouse beat a hotel for a one-night stay?
New Japanese KitKats come in sakura flavour, with poetic symbolism for success
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]
Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]
Uniqlo announces new T-shirts for One Piece, Naruto and more for manga publisher’s 100th birthday
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Krispy Kreme releases Super Mario doughnuts in Japan for a limited time
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
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
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
These apartments are crazy-small even by Tokyo standards, and super-popular with young people
A pack of natto (fermented Japanese soybeans) a day keeps the death away according to study
One Piece anime katanas recreated as exquisite letter openers by Japan’s swordsmith legacy heirs
Sanrio changes Hello Kitty lead designer for first time in 46 years
Japan has vending machines that put protective film on your phone for you — Here’s how to use them
New Japanese KitKats come in sakura flavour, with poetic symbolism for success
Japanese politician arrested on charges of accepting bribes to reduce number of monkeys in park
Schoolkids learn life skills through shopping field trips at street markets in Kochi Prefecture
The Almost All Lettuce Burger from Dom Dom Burger really lives up to its name
Japanese interior micro-houses and study spaces: Great for work-at-home professionals, kids too
McDonald’s and Gundam team up for customized anime mecha and fried chicken sandwiches[Video]
What’s Your National Stereotype? Japanese Sinking Ship Joke Has Got You Pegged