All About Japan

Artists Already Remixing Osaka Expo 2025 Logo

Earlier this week Osaka announced that they had chosen a bizarre, googly-eyed character as their logo for the upcoming 2025 Osaka Expo. And over the next 24 hours, remix culture quickly set in and social media has been buzzing with creations.

Tadao Ando Livens Shibuya with Toilet Project

Famed Japanese architect Tadao Ando shows off his circular submission to the Tokyo Toilet project.

Japan Packaging Design Award 2021

Every two years, the Japan Packaging Design Awards celebrate the achievements of stellar and captivating product designs, and the winners for 2021 have just been announced.

Kyoto's Ace Hotel Got a Kengo Kuma Makeover

Star designer Kengo Kuma unveils his latest architectural feat: renovating Kyoto’s Ace Hotel.

Kindergarten Renovated for 100-Year Birthday

Peep this dazzling update to a 100-year-old kindergarten using existing buildings!

Shibuya Public Restrooms Get Designer Makeover

The Nippon Foundation is collaborating with the ward and 16 world-renowned architects and designers to transform 17 public lavatories.

New Hanko Ink Lets You Use Colors of Nature

These inks won't let you paint with all the colors of the wind, but you can now stamp your name with different colors inspired by nature.

Rei Kato's Illustrations Summon the Summer Sky

Get in that summer spirit with the brilliant yet washed out white and blue illustrations of Rei Kato.

Get Good Lighting from Stylish Hurricane Lamp

Check out these cool floor lamps made from swirling water into a small hurricane.

Touch of Tradition with Modern 3D Cutter Cabin

This remarkable wooden cabin was constructed locally in the mountains of Japan using a Shopbot 3D wood cutter, with minimal impact on the environment. Click to learn more.

Huge Harajuku Shopping Structure Set for 2022

The west corner of Jingumae Crossing has largely remained unchanged for the past 50 years, but that's set to change in 2022 with a new, reflective shopping complex.

Sculptor Creates Heroes Using 100-Yen Toys

For 35 years, since he was in grade school, the sculptor Tomohiro Yasui has been making paper robots. However, he's been recently targeting his creative energy at the cheap toys and snacks sold at 100-yen shops around Japan.

Find Your Perfect Room at this Kyoto Hotel

This new, boutique hotel in Kyoto is serving up a completely different look in each room.

Ramen Mask Makes Use of Your Steamy Glasses

Sensible individuals are opting these days to stay indoors as much as possible and use masks when outdoors. But, there’s nothing in the social rulebook saying your mask has to be sensible.

2020 Laundromat of the Year Award Winners

Bringing you the best of the best when it comes to getting your brights brighter.

Old Village Station Now Cool Art Installation

Check out this new art installation that's recently revitalized the Aomori village of Inakadate.

Homeowners Open Public Bath Under Their House

As thousands had been displaced in the 2016 Kumamoto Earthquake, the disaster revealed one of the flaws of the community: there were no public baths. Until now!

It's Not Over Yet for This 88-Year-Old 'Sento'

There's been a trend of sento, or public baths, closing across Japan. But for one aging Tokyo business, the open sign will be hanging longer, with an incredible new interior.

Japan’s Ancient Art Exhibit in Tokyo

This exhibition at the Tokyo National Museum features artwork from the mid-1600s through the early 1900s, with representations of Japan's transition through the ages.

Bringing a 70-Year-Old Sento into Modern Day

It’s said that in Tokyo every week another sento goes bust. One of those was Miyanoyu, located in the Nezu district of Tokyo.

know-before-you-go