Lifestyle

In Japan, the balcony is generally considered to be a utilitarian space but people are beginning to see the potential in this outdoor space.

The motifs on mamezara (petite plates) run the gamut of worldly phenomena. But the most prominent among them are kisshō (auspicious) images.

As COVID-19 continues to disrupt daily life, stressors and anxiety persist and, in some cases, manifest in damaging eating habits.

Mamezara plates demonstrate immense technical precision and a playful spirit not evident in larger dishware, and open a door to a world of beauty.

Online dating is a safer alternative for those looking for relationships during COVID-19. But that doesn’t mean physical intimacy is on pause.

Photographer Matsuhiko Imamori shares glimpses of the summer life he encounters in his garden, and the events and bountiful nature he witnesses there.

Do you — and the kids — need a break from the city? A few days in Risonare Nasu’s Agri-Garden will set everyone to rights.

When a Japanese emperor butterfly laid its eggs on one of Mitsuhiko Imamori’s carefully nurtured trees, he realized he’d achieved a mature ecosystem.

Several Japanese Buddhist temples have started digital Zen meditation sessions, bringing a sense of community to a global audience.

Hozoin-ryu was adopted by most feudal clans in the Edo Period (1603-1868), and became the most widely adopted martial-arts school across Japan.

Here’s how to use any container you have on hand to start your own microgarden, even in Japan's cramped urban centers.