Last year's fatal summer raised serious concerns about the safety of holding the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo during July and August. With temperatures this month already breaking records, all eyes are on ...

On May 1st, the era name changed in Japan from Heisei to Reiwa when Naruhito ascended the Chrysanthemum Throne as the new emperor. Unlike the previous changeover of emperor, which was marked by a ...

Japan and especially Tokyo are generally regarded as expensive places to live in terms of the cost of rent for a decently sized place. However, the knock-down-and-rebuild approach to residential ...

Back in 2010, the Internet briefly went wild about the Potechi no Te and Popcorn no Te, two grabber toys from Takara Tomy that seemed like the perfect tool for coach potatoes too lazy even to pick up ...

Further proof if any was needed that Japanese craftsmanship, especially for things on a smaller scale, is both uncannily good as well as surprisingly inventive. Following the ship model made from ...

As we begin the Reiwa era from today, May 1st, it is an ideal time to look back over the past three decades of life in Japan that comprised the Heisei period. Beauty brand Shiseido here presents ...

As we write these words, the abdication rituals are underway in Tokyo at the Imperial Palace as Emperor Akihito prepares to step down from his role. This will end the Heisei era and, from May 1st ...

Hiroshima's Miyajima island is already one of the most picturesque and popular sightseeing destinations in the whole country. And it now just got even better -- and cuter. The small island just ...

We are now very familiar with Japanese characters and franchises appearing on special trains. From Hello Kitty to Evangelion, and Pikachu, train operators frequently use tie-ups to promote regional ...

Nestlé Japan have enjoyed immense success with its range of exclusive Japanese Kit Kat snacks. Many of these use unique regional ingredients, such as sake or matcha. Others feature innovative ...

Did you know that Frieza is a businessman? Yes, the Vicious God from the imagination of Akira Toriyama is taking a change in career from battling Goku et al. He is now joining the team at your office ...

Last week we reported on the troubles faced by Fukushima sake in overcoming the reputation of the prefecture's nuclear disaster in 2011. Here is one novel way to attract new fans to nihonshu. ...

A promotional series of videos by Fukushima Prefecture promoting the region's sake has run into the very thing it was trying to combat: the taint of contamination (and false information) that the ...

Alongside other global food and drink brands like Coca-Cola and Kit Kat, Häagen-Dazs has enjoyed success in the Japanese market by creating flavors and products especially for the local market. The ...

The Japanese media and entertainment world can be almost Stalinist in its approach to damage control. When a celebrity is arrested for an infraction, and especially if it involves drugs or illegal ...