Fūbutsushi are those sentimental things that remind us of a particular season. In summer that means hanabi (fireworks), which populate the night skies, and the fūrin (wind chimes) that ring in the distance. The Tokyo Midtown complex in Minato Ward has come up with its ...

Lumine 0 is a cultural space that hosts art exhibitions and fashion shows, but one event last year left attendees speechless. Dialogue in Silence, which was launched in Germany 20 years ago, asks people to use nonverbal forms of communication with one another. Participants are ...

Kyoto Aquarium is a great summertime retreat in the heart of Kyoto. This year it will stay open a few hours longer and add a handful of goldfish-related activities. Highlights include an attraction that features digital kingyo (goldfish) reacting to visitors just as the real-life ...

Sanrio Puroland, a theme park in the west Tokyo city of Tama, holds a special place in many hearts as the home of Hello Kitty and all things kawaii. Since summer is the time for traditional Japanese festivals, a celebratory mood has hit Puroland and ...

Hailed by Life Magazine as one of the most important people of the past 1,000 years, ukiyo-e painter Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849) is one of Japan’s leading arts figures. A number of Hokusai’s paintings can be seen in museums around Tokyo, where he once lived in ...

In many cities, the start of summer means the opening of patios and al fresco dining. In Kyoto, it means the opening of the Kamo River terraces. Nearly 100 different establishments will open outdoor areas for patrons to enjoy. The stretches of terraces, which are ...

The three biggest aquariums in Japan are the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan and the Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium, and all of them are a great place to take the kids this summer. If you're in the capital, however, then a ...

The city of Niigata gets artistic once every three years as artists and local residents are invited for the Water and Land Niigata Art Festival. The triennale features artworks that pay respect to the nature of Niigata. The participating artists include Chiharu Shiota and Navin ...