Japan In Focus

Shizuoka Marks Tea Season with Kanaya Festival

SHIMADA, Shizuoka — A long-standing tradition celebrating the region’s famed tea harvest took pla...

April 30, 2025

Old House Located in Central Tokyo Conveys Traditional Woodwork Techniques

A two-story house located in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo, stands peacefully near Kanda Myojin, the main s...

April 28, 2025

Tottori: ‘Case Closed’ Character Statues Installed in Creator’s Hometown; Ran Mori, Sonoko Suzuki

HOKUEI, Tottori — Colorful statues of two characters in the global hit manga series “Detective Co...

April 26, 2025

2025 Expo Osaka : Kansai Pavilion Shows Appeal of Region’s 9 Prefs; Dinosaurs, Sand Dune, Traditional Dance

OSAKA — The Kansai Pavilion, which features exhibits from nine prefectures in the Kansai region —...

April 26, 2025

Remaining Snow Resembles White Horse, Signaling Spring in Gifu Pref.

GIFU — On the slopes of Mt. Kasagatake in Takayama, Gifu Prefecture, a white horse, a traditional...

April 25, 2025

Merchant’s House from Edo Period Given Special Designation in Japan; City Govt Gave Designation to Preserve Community, Help City Development

OKAZAKI, Aichi — The Hiraoka family’s former residence, which belonged to a merchant family and w...

April 23, 2025

Otaru’s ‘Herring Mansion’ Reopens to Public; Historic Building Had Been Closed for Repairs Following 2023 Heavy Rains

OTARU, Hokkaido — The Otaru Nishin Goten, or Herring Mansion, welcomed visitors once more in earl...

April 23, 2025

Geigi Tradition Regains Glamor in Shizuoka Pref. Spa Town; Support Organization Helps Performers Recover from Pandemic Crisis

IZUNOKUNI, Shizuoka — As I walked down a narrow path on the edge of an onsen spa town in Izunokun...

April 21, 2025

Fukuoka: International Terminal Opens After Refurbishment Work; New Facilities Include Expanded Duty-Free Section

FUKUOKA — The international terminal building at Fukuoka Airport has opened after expansion and r...

April 19, 2025

Shiga: Pictures of Cats Mourning Buddha’s Death Created at Temple; Cats Are Not Usually Depicted in Such Images

NAGAHAMA, Shiga — A temple in Nagahama, Shiga Prefecture, has created pictures featuring cats mou...

April 19, 2025

Ito Marine Town Celebrates 50 Million Visitors; ‘Gateway to Izu’ Commemorates Milestone With Traditional Dance Performance, Free Sweets

ITO, Shizuoka — A ceremony was held on March 29 at the Ito Marine Town roadside rest area in Ito,...

April 17, 2025

Akita Sake Brewery Welcomes Sake Enthusiasts into Cellar as Part of Katagami City Event

KATAGAMI, Akita — Sake enthusiasts flocked to Kodama Brewing Co., a Japanese sake brewery in Kata...

April 17, 2025

Mid-20th Century Shopping Street in Tokyo Soon to be Demolished; Shops, Atmosphere Evokes Nostalgic Feelings

Lined with various stores and evoking memories of the Showa era (1926-1989), a shopping street in...

April 16, 2025

Fukuoka: Circus Elephants Join Firefighting Drill at Shopping Mall in Kitakyushu

KITAKYUSHU — Two circus elephants joined local Kitakyushu firefighters in a drill on March 24.

April 12, 2025

Heirs to Kyoto Talent: Noh Masks Carver Gives Deep Expression to Face of Japanese Art Form

KYOTO — Noh mask carver Keiko Udaka is breathing new life into a block of wood from a 200-year-ol...

April 12, 2025