It took a long time to get out of the traffic in Tokyo, and by the time I noticed, it was pitch dark outside. As I drove down a road without even streetlights, I saw something along the white line. Was it a living creature or just an object? I...
Imagine looking at neatly arranged rice stalks swaying gently in the wind in endless Japanese rural scenery. And if you listen closely, you can hear the chirping of birds and the sounds of insects. Just taking a deep breath in such an environment...
Since ancient times, the Japanese have devised ways to live comfortably in the humid summer and the cold and dry winter of their homeland. The lifestyle of the machiya residents is a perfect example of such ingenuity to enjoy the four seasons while...
Traditional Japanese housing is designed to cope with the extremes of summer weather in hot and humid climates. In other words, they are designed to live in harmony with the external environment by creating airy and open spaces. These houses also...
Tokyo is known for its bustling streets and traditional culture. One may think of famous sights such as Meiji Shrine and Tokyo Skytree as the city’s attractions. There are plenty of other lesser-known areas with their own unique history that...
A tea house made solely from origami can be transported to anywhere in the world. This is the creation of two Tokyo architectural offices, Katagiri Architecture+Design, and Akinori Inuzuka Design. They call it Shi-An. Shi-An is made by using...
Niigata’s Kiyotsukyo Gorge is famous for its outstanding natural beauty. Now, the power of art has transformed an old tunnel in Kiyotsukyo Gorge into an attractive site for people to visit – a Tunnel of Light. The region is famous for its rice...
Kyoto is one of the leading tourist destinations in Japan, well-known for its old shrines, temples, Japanese gardens, and ancient neighborhoods. However, the city’s charm does not end there. Its wide variety of accommodation is also something...