All About Japan

Roadtrip 5 Awesome Spots on the Noto Peninsula

Discover the secrets of the Noto Peninsula, situated on the wild northwestern coast of Honshu. Although remote, this area has it all; beautiful natural sights, historical architecture, fine handicrafts and relaxing hot spring resorts!

Trying to Make the Antiviral Legend Go Viral

Legend has it that seeing a drawing of this yokai named Amabie will cure or protect a person from any disease. The creature itself is said to have asked to be drawn and shared around – what is known today as an ‘Instagram shout-out.’

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.

Color Your World with Vegetable Crayons

A company in Aomori Prefecture is making sustainable crayons out of vegetable waste.

Tsumugi Silk: Poor Man's Fabric Turned Luxury Folkcraft

Tsumugi silk is the result of a labor-intensive artistic weaving style that is prized for its supple softness and unique designs.

Make Your Accessories Fab at FabCafe Tokyo

At FabCafe Tokyo, the first digital fabrication café in Japan, you can use an assortment of 3-D scanners and printers, laser cutters, and a fleet of knowledgeable staff to make custom accessories, unique greeting cards, and even decorate macarons.

JAPAN MASTERY COLLECTION: Showcasing Japan’s regional luxury brands

The Japan Mastery Collection has been opened at Haneda Airport Terminal 3 last year. The collection features garments, artworks, household items, and other products that represent the refined skills, and history of different regions across Japan.

Social Distance Supper with a Stuffed Capybara

The restaurant at Izu Shabonten Zoo in Shizuoka, Japan is crowded! But not by people, but stuffed capybaras that have been strategically placed throughout the restaurant to maintain appropriate social distancing.

Japan Looks to AI for COVID-19 Countermeasures

Japan’s government launches a panel of experts to discuss formulating coronavirus countermeasures using artificial intelligence and the supercomputer Fugaku.

Sleep in Comfort in Beds made with Japanese Craftsmanship

Nihon Bed has a long commitment to crafting quality beds, and its mattresses and frames are found at the most luxurious accommodations throughout Japan.

Designer Creates Free Template for Face Shield

Bespectacled Japanese designer Tokujin Yoshioka wanted to do something to help healthcare and public safety workers on the front lines of COVID-19, so he created a simple and easy way to make face shields.

Making Japanese Washi Paper from Food Waste

An established paper maker in central Japan has come up with a new type of washi that’s also eco-friendly. Craftswoman Masami Igarashi has 25 years of experience manufacturing washi and related products. She now makes paper from vegetable and fruit waste.

Post-Abe PM Contender Suga Masks on the Rise

A Japanese rubber mask manufacturer anticipates greater demand for masks of leading post-Abe PM contender Suga Yoshihide.

Unmasking a New Trend in Face Masks

People in Japan are starting to make masks using unconventional materials to deal with the shortage in the protective gear.

Cover Your Face With a Creative Origami Mask

Simply called the Origami Mask, the idea first came to everyone’s attention thanks to an instructional video from a Polish Art school, which quickly went viral online. Not only is it beautiful, but it’s incredibly simple to make.

Learning to Make Japan's Most Durable Washi Paper

The Kaminosato Museum in Hitachiomiya has a gallery of products made with Nishinouchi Washi and offers workshops for visitors who want to try their hand at papermaking or learn more.

Discover Japanese Woodwork Traditions at Takenaka Carpentry Tools Museum

This Kobe museum features the traditions and technology of Japanese carpentry and tool artisanship that are used in buildings from simple tea houses to complex temple designs.

The Japanese Village That Inspired Steve Jobs

Tsubame-Sanjo is one of Japan’s leading metalworking hubs, boasting time-honored craftsmanship that has caught the eye of many big-name manufacturers, including Apple.

6th Grader Makes & Donates Face Shields

A sixth-grade student is making face shields and donating them to medical institutions amid a shortage of personal protective equipment in the fight against the novel coronavirus.

Beautiful Origami Paper Using Gum Wrappers

Once you're done chewing a piece of Lotte gum, the company wants you to use the colorful wrapper to make your own origami koala or penguin. And they even offer instructions.

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