Rebranding the Historic Izumo Taisha Shrine
Creative director Yu Yamada and art director Kishino Shogo worked with Izumo Taisha to modernize the crests and symbols of the shrine.
Osaka Contest for Mini-Gardens on Small Trucks
The Kei-tora Gardening Contest has chosen its winner for 2020. Click to see which mini-truck garden received to top prize.
Hayabusa2 Returns with Asteroid Samples
Japan’s Hayabusa2 space explorer brought 5.4 grams of substances believed to be from the asteroid Ryugu on a capsule that returned to Earth earlier this month.
Trees on Trees on Trees: Cedar Platforms
Have you ever seen a tree growing atop another? Come learn why this cool and ancient technique encourages proper forestation.
Ceramics Workshop Designed by Kengo Kuma
Star architect Kengo Kuma puts his signature stamp on yet another building with this ceramics museum and workshop in Komatsu.
2020's Kanji of the Year Revealed
Learning Japanese Life in Japan
As he does every December 12, the head abbot of Kiyomizudera Temple took his usual place in front of a blank board on the site’s famous balcony, raised a large brush, and began the strokes that revealed the top character for 2020.
Tokyo's Stunning 'Mizuhiki' LED Christmas Tree
One of the most modern and innovative designs we've seen this year for Christmas trees features the traditional craft of 'mizuhiki' hand-twisted cords.
App Improves Communication Hindered By Masks
An app is helping to facilitate communication in the new normal for the hearing impaired, the elderly, and people who speak different languages.
Worship Your Feline Friend with Its Own Shrine
Your cat already walks around like a god of the house, so why not get a cardboard shrine to show your true devotion.
Tree Rubbings of Artist Stranded in NYC
When the pandemic hit, Japanese artist Keiko Miyamori found herself stuck in New York, missing exhibitions in Japan. As a way to keep her spirits strong, she created tree rubbings, placing them in charming glass boxes. Check out the fruits of her labors.
Eye-Catching Pieces from ArtKyoto 2020
ArtKyoto is back and we've got the scoop on some of the coolest artworks on exhibit this year.
The Great Wave of Lego Bricks
Japan’s only certified professional Lego block builder pays homage to one of Japan's most influential woodblock prints with this epic Lego masterpiece.
Honda to Sell World 1st Level 3 Automated Car
Honda Motor plans to start selling the world’s first commercially available Level 3 automated cars by the end of March 2021. Level 3 vehicles can drive autonomously by detecting the environment around them, not needing driver input.
Celebrities Pose for Playful, Stylized Photos
Welcome to the imaginative world of art director Yuni Yoshida, who has been using celebs to create magical images that play with the way we see reality.
Tech That Measures Congestion in Indoor Areas
Officials tested a system at Tokyo Dome that uses state-of-the-art technology to measure congestion in indoor arenas.
Artist Makes 3D Sculptures of Strange Pet Pics
For one artist, scrolling past cute viral pics of animals is enough to inspire crafting sculptures that imagine new creatures.
Turning Fashion Trash to Functioning Treasure
A Japanese designer has created a stunning, yet functioning chair that's made entirely from excess fabric from the fast fashion industry.
Enliven Your Senses with Scented Paints
For all those who took up painting as a therapeutic way to pass the pandemic, now you can take it up a notch with scented paints called Kanogu.
Fugaku Reigns as World’s Fastest Supercomputer
Riken institute said Japan’s Fugaku remains the world’s fastest supercomputer in international rankings released twice a year.
A Musical Scale to Maintain Social Distance
A mural by Eisuke Tachikawa is helping visitors to the Minato Mirai Hall stay socially distant while possibly getting the first few notes of Erik Satie’s Gymnopédie stuck in their head.
