preservation
Historic building used to be a brothel, now its ornate interiors are in danger of fading away.
Architectural landmark will soon be gone forever, but there’s still a chance of preserving its history for the future.
If you’re looking for a spectacular tourist destination without all the tourists, you’ll want to visit Kyoto’s sleepy little fishing town that floats on the sea.
The city of Rikuzentakata was thoroughly devastated by the March 11 tsunami. However, following the destruction a single 27 meter 200 year-old pine tree was left standing, the sole survivor of a forest of 70,000 trees along the coast line. The tree had become a symbol of hope for the country and local government vowed to protect it at all costs.
However, for the past year the tree’s health had been fading fast and it doesn’t have much longer to live. And so the city’s government is going to enact a preservation scheme which is rubbing Japanese netizens the wrong way due to its 150,000,000 yen (US$1.9M) price tag.






Village Vanguard tries to tickle us pink with a Pink Lucky Bag
Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
Pokémon Lego kits are finally on their way!【Photos】
Researchers in Japan give mouse glowing sperm
10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
Studio Ghibli serves up new anime food at Ghibli Park
The meaning of the mandarin and 6 other Japanese New Year traditions explained
Are 100-yen shop Daiso’s gel nail polish strips a good dupe for salon quality nails? Let’s find out
Uniqlo announces first-ever collaboration with horror manga master Junji Ito【Photos】
Sanrio brings some smiles to Evangelion with new collaboration merch line【Photos】
Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
Umamusume anime girl plushie recalled for having parts she absolutely should not have【Pics】
Princess Mononoke magnets return just in time to treat yourself to awesome anime decorations
Top Japanese cosplayer Enako returns to Comiket after 6 years, creates mayhem with admirers
Giant hotel rooms in Osaka reflect the new non-niche face of travel in Japan.
We ate sushi made from Japan’s most expensive tuna ever【Taste test】
Japanese beef bowl chain Sukiya’s 2026 Smile Box lucky bag basically pays for itself
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
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
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
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
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
Human washing machine pods coming to Japanese hotels【Photos】
Studio Ghibli serves up new anime food at Ghibli Park
The meaning of the mandarin and 6 other Japanese New Year traditions explained
Are 100-yen shop Daiso’s gel nail polish strips a good dupe for salon quality nails? Let’s find out
Uniqlo announces first-ever collaboration with horror manga master Junji Ito【Photos】
Sanrio brings some smiles to Evangelion with new collaboration merch line【Photos】
Game of Jenga filled with high-grade whiskey goes on sale in Japan for nearly 2 million yen
Man arrested for violating Japan’s anti-dueling law in downtown Tokyo
Giant hotel rooms in Osaka reflect the new non-niche face of travel in Japan.
Eight Ways You Really, Really Shouldn’t Use a Japanese Toilet
One of Japan’s rarest sweets is a sell-out hit that looks and tastes like frost
Bamboo trees vandalized near Kyoto’s Fushimi Inari shrine, foreign graffiti prevalent
Ruru Cafe Shibuya wows customers by serving coffee and sweets on unique water tables
Hotel in Japan is offering rooms for just 390 yen a night, less than the cost of a bowl of ramen
Studio Ghibli’s kodama ready to leave the Princess Mononoke forest as a squeezable keychain【Pics】