An ancient ball game known as "kemari" was staged at a major shrine in Nara. The event held at Kasugataisha shrine is named "Manyo-kemari".

A non-profit organization working to preserve Nara's cultur…

posted by  Tanuki | 9 years, 3 months ago | 2 comments

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has denied he used his influence to have the education ministry approve a veterinary school proposed by a university operator. The operator is headed by Abe's close friend.

posted by  Tanuki | 9 years, 3 months ago | 1 comment

The unlikely partnership between 2016’s one-hit wonder and Japan’s most powerful directly elected politician is meant to be promoting LED light bulbs and energy conservation. Governor Koike with a le…

posted by  banzaitokyo | 9 years, 3 months ago | 2 comments

This homey train station was where I would be meeting Hideo Goto, the fourth generation innkeeper of Takamine Onsen — a hidden ryokan (traditional Japanese inn) nestled 2,000 meters above the highlan…

posted by  banzaitokyo | 9 years, 3 months ago | 3 comments

Takayama is a castle town high up in the mountains of Gifu prefecture (4-5 hours from Tokyo), overflowing with traditional charm and busy streets waiting to be explored. Renowned for morning markets,…

posted by  Tanuki | 9 years, 3 months ago | 1 comment

Workaholic Japan is known for long office hours and stressed-out employees, but one company claims to have a cure: cats.

A total of nine fluffy felines eat, sleep and walk freely in the small office …

posted by  Tanuki | 9 years, 3 months ago | 1 comment

Sanrio Entertainment Co. said Thursday it will offer the right to “date” its popular character Hello Kitty to people who donate ¥100,000 each through crowdfunding for a summer festival to be held at …

posted by  Tanuki | 9 years, 3 months ago | 1 comment

OKAYAMA – An elderly man was arrested Friday on suspicion of starting a fire on seat aboard a shinkansen that was traveling through Okayama Prefecture, police and the train operator said.

Yasuhiro Wa…

posted by  Tanuki | 9 years, 3 months ago | 1 comment

Major Japanese electronics maker Hitachi has developed technology to make breast cancer screening more accurate.

The new system uses ring-shaped equipment to emit 360-degree ultrasound to detect tumo…

posted by  Tanuki | 9 years, 3 months ago | 0 comments

The city of Tokyo will be playing host to hundreds of talented artists from all around the world when it stages the third Tokyo International Art Fair by Global Art Agency (The GAA Ltd) on 26-27 May …

posted by  banzaitokyo | 9 years, 3 months ago | 0 comments