All About Japan

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.

Now You Can Stay in Arata Endo's 1928 Villa

If you're a fan of the prairie-style architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright, you have to check out the works he inspired under the talented hands of Japanese architect Arata Endo. One villa in particular, just outside of Tokyo, is ready for short-term stays.

Camera-Inspired Edo Kiriko Glasses from Canon

Camera lovers need to snap up these stylish drinking glasses, inspired by Canon cameras and made from traditional Edo Kiriko glass.

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.

Artist Uses Fruits & Vegetables for Carvings

Sometimes it's okay to play with your food. Especially if you're Kyoto-based artist Tomoko Sato.

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.

Junya Ishigami's Sloping Plaza for Students

The youngest ever recipient of the Architectural Institute of Japan Prize has returned to the Kanagawa Institute of Technology to provide a unique space for students to unlock their creative potential.

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.

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.

Bake Up Some Yummy Bricks This Holiday

Give the architect in your family a chance to make bricks in the kitchen. Edible ones of course!

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.

Tokyo Building Shaded by Hinoki Wood Curtain

Witness the cool and cooling wood-curtain collaboration made by the team of Tsukagoshi Miyashita Architects and structural engineer Yasuhiro Kaneda.

Get Yours Hands on Some Handcrafted Pottery

Our friends at Spoon & Tamago are bringing you the best of the best in design across Japan. And the first featured artisan in the S&T shop has been announced. Click through to learn more about the chosen craftsperson.

Kengo Kumo & Kadokawa's Manga Museum Collab

Part museum and part library, Tokorozawa Sakura Town has a new, stylish place to hang thanks to manga publisher Kadokawa and star architect Kengo Kuma.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Do You Want to Bring a Snowman?

If your snowperson wants to see more than just the front yard, we've found the perfect carrying case you never knew you needed.

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.

know-before-you-go