Why settle for a tiny snack when you can gnaw on one that doubles as a legendary sword? Confectionery company Morinaga’s chocolate snack Koeda (“Twig”) has had tons of fans over the... Read more »

How the English Language Failed Banana Yoshimoto, Author of ‘Kitchen’ Literary stars can have a precipitous rise in Japan, and few rose as fast as Banana Yoshimoto. The moment she started writing... Read more »

Takuji Hayakawa of Shinku’S (Photo by Julio Shiiki) The Craft Behind Handmade Japanese Jewelry Handmade Japanese jewelry designer Takuji Hayakawa’s creations are exclusively one-of-a-kind. Hayakawa brings each unique piece—handcrafted upon request — similar... Read more »

In the land of vending machines, what’s behind the biggest single-year decrease ever for soft drinks? Visitors to Japan are often amazed at just how many vending machines the country has. Residents,... Read more »

Photos Courtesy of Katsura Sunshine Experience Japanese culture through the belly-busting humor of rakugo, a 400-year-old tradition of comic storytelling. Passed from master to apprentice, rakugo has tickled the funny bone of... Read more »

Investigators say city councilman was involved in monkey business. According to the Shimane Prefectural Police, on a June night in 2024, Kiyoshi Inata ventured out of his home in the town of... Read more »

This isn’t a limited-time offer – the free morning donut service has no specified end date! Usually when you hear someone say “The best things in life are free,” they’re talking about love,... Read more »

Make your next journey delicious and Instgrammable. Packing for a trip can be a stressful experience, but now it’s something you’ll look forward to, thanks to a new series of travel pouches... Read more »

With mirrors, art installations, and a Peter Rabbit garden, this festival is the perfect day trip from Tokyo. There are always times when you might look at a photo of Japan and... Read more »