A fixture of Japanese New Year’s celebrations, datemaki is a sweet omelette with a visually striking design. Learn how to make this traditional dish at home with our latest recipe.
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Learn a bit about sakura zensen, the “cherry blossom front” published by Japan’s meteorologists predicting the flower’s peak blooming periods each spring.
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Read a brief accounting of the history behind kirié, the practice of turning sheets of paper into works of art.
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See fireworks illustrated almost 150 years ago by Jinta Hirayama, a forefather of modern Japanese pyrotechnics.
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A quick look at the azumabukuro, an age-old style of lightweight market bag created in Edo Tokyo.
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Learn 12 of the great many uses for tenugui, the slim Japanese towel with countless designs and infinite applications.
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Reflecting on a visit to The Noguchi Museum in Queens, New York
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Forge a quiet connection to spring with a centuries-old haiku from poet Kawai Chigetsu, and learn a bit about how Japan celebrates cherry blossom season.
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Slippers, being what they are, are very forgiving in terms of sizing. After all, they are designed to provide maximum comfort, and the most action they’ll see on most days is scooting from the couch to the refrigerator. Still, we all know the dreaded feeling of stepping into a new pair of slippers only to feel your foot slipping around, or worse, your toes sweaty and cramped. Below, we explain our top tips for ensuring a perfect fit.
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We recently paid a visit to the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles, California to see their current exhibition entitled “The Roots of Monozukuri: The Creative Spirit in Japanese Automaking”. The exhibition examines 60 years of automotive ingenuity and features rarely seen car designs from some of Japan’s greatest car manufacturers.
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A landmark destination once known for its extravagant shrines, the village of Nikko has since retreated into a nature and architecture lover's paradise. Venture inside the little-known village that was once known as a foreign diplomat’s summer paradise.
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We go behind the scenes at Shofuso Japanese House’s hinoki roof restoration, the only one of its kind in the US and currently undergoing repairs by two uniquely qualified Japanese craftsmen.
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When it comes to stationery, the Japanese variety is among the best in the world. We go behind the scenes at the Inkaren factory, where some of the most exciting Japanese stationery is still made the traditional way.
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On the third Monday in July, Japan celebrates Marine Day, a public national holiday dedicated to celebrating the ocean and its role in the daily lives of the Japanese people. In observation of the holiday, we take a moment to acknowledge the freedom that the sea offers us.
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After a long day at work, nothing soothes the senses like a good hot bath. Here’s how to pick the perfect bath salts to get the most out of your “you” time.
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There is a certain feeling of anxiety that all artists share when standing before a blank canvas, brush in hand, deciding where to place their first stroke. Paper marbling, an art mostly left up to chance, is a welcome release.
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Trees are some of our most powerful renewable natural resources, and some of the best weapons in our arsenal against global climate change. But without human intervention, there’s a very real chance they will become an endangered species.
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On Coming of Age Day, Japan celebrates those who have reached the age of 20 years old. Here, our photographer reflects on his experience witnessing this day during his first trip to Japan.
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