Tokyo shop sees a big demand for tiny towels
Little gifts come in handy when paying someone a visit, and wrapping them in a small tenugui hand towel can add a playful — and traditionally Japanese — touch. Read more
Focus on Japan
The latest news, trends and photo galleries from Japan by Japan News and Yomiuri Shimbun, a Japanese newspaper founded in 1874.
Youngsters spread love of reading with furry friends
At a book club event Oct. 14, 10 children from Tokushima prefecture shared their favorite books with “reading dogs” at a prefectural library. Read more
Cosmetics designed for use in space
A leading cosmetics company has unveiled a new line of products that can be used in space, with plans to have them taken to the International Space Station next year. Read more
Whimsical designs breathe life into handmade paper balloons
Paper balloons are a regional specialty of Izumozaki in Niigata prefecture, where they have been produced for more than 100 years. Read more
Gardening left to the goats
A community in Shimane prefecture unleashed a small herd of hungry goats to clean up weeds along an abandoned railway track. Read more
Labor shortages changing policies on second jobs for public employees
Local governments in Yamagata prefecture, Japan’s largest producer of cherries, are increasingly permitting civil servants to take on side jobs harvesting cherries as a means to deal with labor shortages amid a decline in farmers and an aging population. Read more
Tokyo town gives young fans a night of art to moon over
Moon-inspired artwork made their presence known in the streets and open spaces around Shimokitazawa Station in Tokyo’s Setagaya ward. Read more
Upcycling gives new life to cabbage cores, coffee dregs
Efforts to upcycle food, or use parts of food products that would traditionally go to waste, are gaining momentum in Japan amid growing environmental awareness. Read more
Both teens, artists in Japan are sticking with this trend
“Stationery art” has become popular in recent years as more people use items such as masking tape and pencils to create art. Read more
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Chiba zoo’s famous red panda, Futa, turns 20
Futa, the red panda known for standing on his hind legs, reached the ripe old age of 20 in July at the Chiba Zoological Park. Read more
Tourists marvel at convenience, cleanliness they find in Japan
On a trip to Japan from Australia in mid-July, Ben Radewell was amazed when taking video of his friend stepping into a glass-walled cube that sits in a corner of a park in Shibuya in Tokyo. The walls became opaque as she entered, making her invisible from the outside. Read more
Top tourism spots threatened by surge in visitors
The rising number of foreign visitors to Japan is expected to benefit the nation’s economy. But there also are concerns about the return of overtourism and just partial success of countermeasures. Read more
Tokyo fashion festival highlights summer yukata
The Oshare Bon Odori summer fashion event in Tokyo’s Ginza shopping area was held in August for the first time since coronavirus shutdowns. Read more
Traditional textiles add flair to contemporary clothes
A project to create modern clothing using traditional Japanese textiles is making a splash. Mizen, led by Shunsuke Teranishi, features the fabric of 12 producers across the country. Read more
100-year-old gingko tree may get axed to make way for a Tokyo redevelopment plan
Miho Nakashima stood in a bathing suit in Tokyo Aug. 27 next to a 100-year-old gingko tree, her body painted head-to-toe in green leaves and brown branches. Read more
Tasteless candy sparks curiosity, debate
A flavorless candy appeared briefly in Japanese convenience stores and may never be sold again. We consider this news. Read more
Japan’s summer dance fest is back on its feet
A highlight of the Otaru Ushio Festival, a summer staple in the Hokkaido city of Otaru, commenced July 29 with about 5,000 people from 76 groups dancing in formation in the city center for eight hours. Read more
Toyota car finishes 24-hour race powered with liquid hydrogen
A liquid hydrogen-powered Toyota Corolla completed a 24-hour endurance race at the Fuji International Speedway in Oyama, Shizuoka prefecture, in May. Read more
Brightly colored safety patterns tested on roads
A red-and-yellow checkered pattern has been painted on a road preceding a pedestrian crossing in Chiryu, Aichi prefecture. Read more
Number of foreign visitors top pre-COVID 2020 levels
The number of international visitors to Japan exceeded 2 million during the month of June, the first time in three years and five months, according to the Japan National Tourism Organization. Read more
Women’s parade is held once more on Osaka street
For the first time in four years, the women’s-only Gal Mikoshi parade was held July 23 in Kita ward, Osaka City. Read more
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