Japan unveils lion-like mascots for 2019 World Cup
For a sport renowned for bruising runs and thumping tackles, the mascots for the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan are on the softer side. Described as mythical, lion-like creatures that "…
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Articles from edition.cnn.com — page 2
Browse articles from edition.cnn.com in the Akihabara archive.
Western taste for bamboo art is transforming an ancient Japanese tradition
In recent years, the West has developed a growing taste for this intricate art form, with some pieces selling for tens of thousands of dollars. Bringing together more than 70 bamboo artworks, th…
What it means to be a mixed-race model in Japan
For 18-year-old model Rina Fukushi, Tokyo is home. But growing up as a mixed-race child in Japan wasn't always easy. With a Japanese-American father and a Filipina mother, Fu…
Nabana No Sato 2018: Japan's wildest light display is back
It's one of Japan's greatest winter illumination festivals, famed for using millions of LED light bulbs to depict beautiful scenes of nature from Japan and around the world. Nabana No …
The rise of romance gaming: is the perfect boyfriend inside your phone?
When Ayumi Saito was 22 she broke up with her boyfriend. But the Tokyo resident found an easy way to fill the void left by her ex lover's departure. She downloaded a romance gaming app…
Tokyo off the beaten path: Explore 5 lesser-known neighborhoods
Tokyo: By most measures, it's the biggest city in the world. For every well-known shopping, sightseeing or nightlife district -- Shibuya, Roppongi, Asakusa -- there are …
Beginner's guide to Tokyo: 5 insiders share their advice
Even the most experienced travelers struggle to decipher the cryptic metro maps and navigate the busy streets. It would take a lifetime to explore every little lane -- and even then, i…
Photographer Shoichi Aoki on capturing Tokyo street fashion
For over two decades, Japanese photographer Shoichi Aoki has been documenting the most outlandish, provocative and definitive Tokyo street fashion. But in December 2016, Aoki shut down the cult …
The ultimate act of love? The truth behind Japan's charaben culture
Adorable "kawaii" food is uniquely ascendant in Japan. In eateries across the country, diners feast on dishes made to resemble Snoopy, Moomin, and Peter Rabbit. Bakeries sculpt sweet a…