Japan In Focus

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

Aomori Pref. City Celebrates Opening of New Bridge Expected to Revitalize Regional Economy

HACHINOHE, Aomori — The New Ohashi bridge spanning the Mabechi River in Hachinohe, Aomori Prefect...

April 10, 2025

Costco in Yamanashi Pref. Attracts Visitors Before its Opening Due to View of Mt. Fuji Crowning Building

MINAMI-ALPS, Yamanashi — Many people are coming to see a huge Costco scheduled to open soon in Mi...

April 9, 2025

Bathers at Tokyo Sento Public Bathhouse Enjoy Scenic Japanese Garden; Rare Garden at Sento Delights Locals, Nationwide Visitors

Upon entering Takara-yu, a long-established sento public bathhouse, visitors in the changing room...

April 7, 2025

Tottori: Face of Yayoi Period Woman Reconstructed; First Time Female Face from the Time Re-created

TOTTORI — A bust of a Japanese woman from 1,800 years ago, whose face was reconstructed from bone...

April 5, 2025

Nemuro Station Becomes Japan’s Easternmost Rail Stop; Line Runs Through ‘Beautiful Landscapes’ in Hokkaido

NEMURO, Hokkaido — A ceremony was held on March 15 at Nemuro Station to mark the departure of the...

April 5, 2025

Miyazaki: Craftsman Protects Folk Music Instrument for Future Listeners; Shamisen-like Gottan Diminishing from Kyushu

MIMATA, Miyazaki — Driven by a profound desire to preserve the dwindling melodies of a traditiona...

April 5, 2025

Kumamoto: Kumamon Celebrates 15th Anniversary of Debut as Regional Character; Aiming for ‘World Domination’

KUMAMOTO — Kumamoto Prefecture’s mascot Kumamon celebrated the 15th anniversary of his 2010 debut...

April 5, 2025

Tower on Tokyo Lake Casts Bewitching Visions of a Wonderland, Provides City Residents with Drinking Water

A domed tower rises from out of the rippling surface of a lake toward the blue sky. It looks like...

April 1, 2025