The annual exhibition creates an enchanting town of light amid the fiery colors of autumn trees.
washi
Whether you’re into origami, scrapbooking or decorating, these Japanese papers will bring the magic of Studio Ghibli to all your favourite projects.
Release your bushido spirit with this stunning new lineup of traditional outfits made for today’s modern man.
Does Japan’s Mitsuoka Motors count as a carmaker? It’s debatable. Yes, the company does have its own dealers that sell Mitsuoka-branded cars. Almost all of them, though, are Nissans or Mazdas with extensive cosmetic modifications. Even the company’s Orochi coupe, which has its own dedicated body, uses an engine built by Toyota.
So let’s ask an easier question: Are Mitsuoka’s cars visually unique? Unquestionably. The company has always made aesthetics the number-one priority in all of its vehicles, and that tradition continues with woodcarving so exquisite it wouldn’t look at all out of place in a Japanese castle, but which instead graces this Mitsuoka sedan.
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.
If you don’t live in Hokkaido, Japanese summers are hot and humid! A good way to stay cool, other than staying in a confined room where air-conditioned air is piped out from a room cooler, is to use a uchiwa. It only takes just a little muscle to keep a constant breeze and recently there are highly functional ones that will help send cool air your way!
Stainless Steel type, put it in the Freezer!






Hayao Miyazaki says Happy New Year to Studio Ghibli fans with new art for Year of the Horse
We revisited Sweets Paradise after a decade to see if Japan’s dessert buffet still delivers
Japanese company selling bear-proof automatic doors
Japanese-style accommodation at the new Premium Dormy Inn hotel in Asakusa will blow your mind
Is this the most relaxing Starbucks in Japan?
Super Mario and Baskin-Robbins release a power-up ice cream collection in Japan
That time Seiji called JASRAC to ask why he didn’t get paid royalties for his song being on TV
Are all Starbucks coffee sizes the same? Testing the viral video claim in Japan
McDonald’s releases new “Yakki” burger based on a popular Japanese meal
Godzilla-shaped ice cream on sale in Tokyo near the sight his most adorable rampage
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
Cyberpunk anime meets traditional culture in Ghost in the Shell gold leaf Japanese changing screens
7 great places to see Mt. Fuji from without having to climb it
Hello Kitty Choco Egg figures are an adorable trip through three periods of Japanese pop culture【Pics】
7-Eleven Japan’s ramen-cooking robot whipped us up a bowl of noodles【Taste test】
We found possibly the quietest Japanese-style hotel in Tokyo’s bustling Shinjuku district
Japan’s otoshidama tradition of giving kids money at New Year’s gets a social welfare upgrade
Sumo Sanrio! Hello Kitty and pals team up with Japan Sumo Association for new merch【Pics】
More Than a Capsule Stay: Why Solo Travelers Choose “global cabin Yokohama Chinatown”
Japan’s oldest largetooth sawfish in captivity back on display in Mie Prefecture
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 considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Tokyo event lets you travel back in time, for free, to celebrate 100 years since Showa era start
Sanrio theme park in Japan announces plans to expand into a Sanrio resort
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
Stamina-destroying “Paralysis Noodles” are Tokyo’s newest over-the-top ramen innovation
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
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
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
Super Mario and Baskin-Robbins release a power-up ice cream collection in Japan
That time Seiji called JASRAC to ask why he didn’t get paid royalties for his song being on TV
Are all Starbucks coffee sizes the same? Testing the viral video claim in Japan
McDonald’s releases new “Yakki” burger based on a popular Japanese meal
Godzilla-shaped ice cream on sale in Tokyo near the sight his most adorable rampage
Cup Noodle releases new Tomica “car” collection
Thousands of anime fans gather for public screenings of new Dragon Ball episode in Latin America
Japanese police are not messing around, with Patlabor robot mecha out on display 【Video】
Japanese group to hold fashion show of colostomy bags and other stoma equipment in Paris
7-Eleven Japan’s ramen-cooking robot whipped us up a bowl of noodles【Taste test】
New Evangelion short anime, written by Hideaki Anno, to have world premiere early next year