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July 04, 2025
 

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Steve John Powell
Utagawa Hiroshige produced several highly successful series of landscape prints over the course of his career, including “One Hundred Famous Views of Edo” — the largest collection of his career.
CULTURE / Books
Aug 8, 2024
The definitive guide to Utagawa Hiroshige's masterwork is a feast for the eyes
Ukiyo-e expert Andreas Marks' new book is a rare compendium of the Japanese artist’s landscapes, even by local standards.  
Sokyo Ono’s “Shinto: The Kami Spirit World of Japan” reveals how a mystic sense of nature lies at the heart of Shinto.
CULTURE / Books
May 31, 2024
'Shinto: The Kami Spirit World of Japan': A helpful guide to uncovering an integral part of Japanese life
Sokyo Ono’s book provides a concise introduction to all the fundamental elements of Shinto, including its symbols, beliefs and deities.
In his book "It’s Okay Not to Look for the Meaning of Life," Buddhist priest Jikisai Minami sprinkles in surprising declarations such as “Stop taking care of yourself,” “It’s okay not to have friends,” “People can live without hopes and dreams.”
CULTURE / Books
Apr 29, 2024
Buddhist priest grounds new book with practical advice and cheeky declarations
"It’s Okay Not to Look for the Meaning of Life" by Jikisai Minami addresses the ills of modern life by revealing the true nature of suffering.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books
Nov 6, 2022
'Kokoro': Lafcadio Hearn's insights into a country he loved
The collection of 15 essays and stories, which explore the inner lives of Japanese society through topics such as karma, art and architecture, reveal the writer's deep affection for Japan.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books
May 5, 2022
‘Master Dogen’s Zazen Meditation Handbook’: Are you searching for enlightenment? Take a seat.
Tuttle's recent translation of Zen master Eihei Dogen's writings and accompanying commentary serve as a helpful guide to the origins of Zen in Japan and the benefits of seated meditation.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books
Mar 27, 2021
The genius and geniality of Santoka Taneda, a wandering Zen poet
u2018The Life and Zen Haiku Poetry of Santoka Taneda,' a biography of one of Japan's most beloved poets, is a loving tribute compiled by Taneda's close friend, Sumita Oyama.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books
Oct 24, 2020
Unclutter your mind with ‘Zen Wisdom for the Anxious’
Ryuunji temple's head priest, Shinsuke Hosokawa, offers encouragement and friendly advice with 52 Zen sayings and simple English explanations.
Japan Times
LIFE / Travel
Apr 25, 2020
Where we want to go in Japan once this is all over
COVID-19 has put a pause on travel, but that doesn't mean we can't plan. The Japan Times' Escape page regulars write about where they want to go in Japan once we see the back of COVID-19.
CULTURE / Books
Feb 15, 2020
'Introduction to Zen Training': Sogen Omori's road map to enlightenment
An introduction to Zen practice, by one of Japan's leading practitioners.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books / RECENTLY PUBLISHED BOOKS ABOUT JAPAN
Sep 28, 2019
'A Manga Lover's Tokyo Travel Guide': Picture the capital in a whole new way
Singaporean artist Evangeline Neo walks travelers through Tokyo's best traditional must-sees, anime hot-spots and even Mount Fuji in her comic-book guide to the metropolis.
CULTURE / Books / ESSENTIAL READING FOR JAPANOPHILES
May 18, 2019
'The Art of the Japanese Garden': Green-fingered insight into Japanese garden spaces
By delving into the history, development and intricate details of Japanese gardens, 'The Art of the Japanese Garden' brings new appreciation and awareness to the art form.
Japan Times
LIFE / Travel
May 17, 2019
Sandankyo Gorge: Hiroshima's hidden ravine
An easy trip from Hiroshima city, head to Sandankyo Gorge for a day of exploring picturesque ravines and waterfalls before indulging in a local hot spring.
Japan Times
LIFE / Travel
Dec 28, 2018
New Year's Eve in Hiroshima: A silent night, a crowded morning
I can't quite believe we're doing this. It's dark and freezing outside, and we only went to bed three hours ago. Yet here we are, walking streets so quiet you can hear the mice snore. It's New Year's Eve, but there's not a carouser in sight. Here, as in most of Japan, in the darkness beyond the big city...
Japan Times
LIFE / Travel
Oct 19, 2018
The Akinada Tobishima Kaido: An alternative route across the Seto Inland Sea
Although less well-known than the nearby Shimanami Kaido, the 96-kilometer-roundtrip Akinada Tobishima Kaido route is gaining in popularity. Starting at the Akinada Bridge, the Tobishima route spans a network of seven bridges seven islands that can be traversed on car, bike or foot down to Okamura Island, north of Shikoku.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink
Jan 6, 2018
Munch like a monarch as you walk with the gods on Miyajima
Beyond the island's iconic torii, oysters, okonomiyaki, eel and manju016b await.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books / ESSENTIAL READING FOR JAPANOPHILES
Dec 2, 2017
'A Brief History of Japan': Jonathan Clements guides readers from ancient lore to otaku obsessions
Ask any Japanese high school student which is their most difficult subject, and chances are they'll answer Japanese History — a consequence of the endless litany of dates, names and battles they need to memorize. Pity then, that they don't use this little book in class, because it manages to make thousands...
Japan Times
LIFE / Travel
Nov 17, 2017
Communing with the gods in Hiroshima's kagura performances
Music and dance spectacle is part of Japan's rich performing arts heritage.
Japan Times
LIFE / Travel
Apr 14, 2017
Among the monks: Dipping a toe in Zen at Shinshoji Temple
When was the last time you sat in silence, without fretting about the things you ought to be doing or gazing at a screen of any kind? When was the last time you didn't think anything at all?
Japan Times
LIFE / Travel
Dec 12, 2015
The changing view of Onomichi town
Last September, the town of Onomichi in Hiroshima Prefecture became a headline-grabbing topic around the world with its Cat Street View project. In its first two weeks online, this Google-style map of the town, filmed from a cat's perspective, went viral, racking up 1.7 million views. CNN, Huffington...
Japan Times
LIFE / Travel
Nov 21, 2015
The Hiroshima art triangle: a space to get lost in thought
'It's Tokyo minus the stress." That's how one Japanese colleague described Hiroshima to us shortly after my wife, Angeles, and I arrived here, near the end of the last millennium. So, what's its secret? Well, there's its size for a start. And having six rivers flowing through it certainly helps. But,...
Magnitude 5.5 earthquake jars Tokara Islands amid flurry of seismic activity
A strong quake struck off the Tokara Islands on Thursday afternoon, with the island chain having recorded around 1,000 earthquakes since a burst of seismic activity first began on June 21.
Onosato's yokozuna promotion causes rare quirk in new sumo rankings
Newly promoted yokozuna Onosato holds a copy of the latest banzuke ranking in Anjo, Aichi Prefecture, on Monday.
A prophesied disaster (likely) won’t strike Japan this weekend
A viral manga prediction of a July 5 disaster has gripped Japan with anxiety and triggered an economic impact, but experts warn that while such dates are unreliable, the threat of a massive earthquake remains real. 
Over 900 earthquakes strike Tokara islands in space of two weeks
A screenshot shows many quakes occurring in the Tokara islands over the past 30 days, in this image taken from the U.S. Geological Survey website.
Ghibli’s Isao Takahata exhibit shows how beloved anime is made
“The man who planted Japanese animation” exhibition includes a variety of sketches, drawings and animation cels from Isao Takahata films such as color design for characters by Michiyo Yasuda from "Grave of the Fireflies."
Ghibli’s Isao Takahata exhibit shows how beloved anime is made
“The man who planted Japanese animation” exhibition includes a variety of sketches, drawings and animation cels from Isao Takahata films such as color design for characters by Michiyo Yasuda from "Grave of the Fireflies."
Flag football facing challenges and opportunities ahead
Japan’s women’s flag football team at the 2025 International Bowl in Los Angeles in June. The sport is enjoying continued growth in the country.
From Hokusai’s Great Wave, shinkansen to One Piece: a cultural treasure box for Lego Japan
Michael Ebbesen, general manager of Lego Japan, says Lego bricks based on Japanese culture have a rich global appeal and are sellable around the world.
With farmed fish, RelationFish swims against the tide in fine dining
Chef Hideaki Matsuo (middle) and the staff of Oseto Suisan Fisheries prepare to check on their sustainably farmed fish.
As Southeast Asia heats up, a Japanese cooling giant sees a major opportunity
An employee of Daikin Cambodia explains the use of different tools during an air conditioner installation training session in Phnom Penh. Daikin is one of Japan’s oldest air conditioning companies, but as Japan’s population falls, the firm is keying in on overseas growth.

Podcast

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.
Kabukicho: Tokyo’s ‘stadium of desire’

Longform

Mount Fuji is considered one of Japan's most iconic symbols and is a major draw for tourists. It's still a mountain, though, and potential hikers need to properly prepare for any climb.
What it takes to save lives on Mount Fuji
By Alex K.T. Martin

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