The clear plastic umbrella: from trend to trash When Beat Takeshi appeared with a plastic umbrella in the seminal film Battle Royale (2000), many audience…

If you’ve been to Japan before, chances are you’ve seen a “moving ramen” display in front of a ramen shop. Ever popular among foreign tourists,…

Virtual diva Hatsune Miku has had her share of products associated with her image. We’ve seen everything from Miku pigtail cushions, shampoo, and even bento…

If you’re interested in Japanese traditional performing arts or are simply looking for a unique cultural experience which you can enjoy from home, the Touseian…

If you’re in the Tokyo area practicing self-isolation under the coronavirus pandemic and you also happen to appreciate Japanese art, you may be pleasantly surprised…

With its rich, satisfying blend of cream, condensed milk and butter, cute shape, and reasonable price, it’s not hard to imagine why Ezaki Glico’s “Pucchin…

It’s not hard to imagine why some of those who are stuck at home during this coronavirus pandemic may feel helpless to do anything as…

(Juichiro Ito of the Sankei Shimbun, for JAPAN Forward) Cherry blossoms beautifully color the landscape of Japan at this time every year. Now, a research…

While the novel coronavirus has caused an unprecedented downturn in the tourism industry around the world, the postponement of the Olympic Games, combined with the…

As the novel coronavirus pandemic continues, food and entertainment venues which depend on people gathering in a physical location have been struggling to make ends…

As we introduced last year, capsule toy and novelty goods maker Kitan Club came out with a very kawaii toy series featuring hamsters and a…

Known for their stealth and speed, microdrones arguably share some of the abilities that ninjas were prized for. Taking a hint from this possible connection…

In an effort to increase awareness of the novel coronavirus in Japan and promote correct knowledge about infection prevention measures, Japan’s Ministry of Health, Welfare…

A natural segue from a visit to the Imperial Palace and Hibiya Park During your stay in Tokyo, chances are you will want to visit…

This past Sunday, March 29th, temperatures plummeted throughout the greater Kanto region, blanketing the northern area in snow as deep as 23 centimeters in Gunma…