82-year-old DJ puts unique spin on Tokyo’s club scene
Sumiko Iwamuro knows a thing or two about juggling work. She spends her days behind the counter at a family-run specialty gyoza restaurant and one or two nights a month moonlighting under h…
The archive
Recent articles — page 469
Browse recent articles in the Akihabara archive.
Kemari ball game held at a Nara shrine
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 organizatio…
Abe denies using influence to approve vet school
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 fri…
Piko Taro and Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike team up to perform PPAP, promote low-energy LED light bulbs
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…
Bathing Above the Clouds at Takamine Onsen
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…
Takayama: A Weekend Getaway with Old Towns and Morning Markets
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 mar…
To reduce work stress, Japan firms turn to office cats, dogs and goats
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 sma…
Donors to Sanrio festival crowdfunding get right to ‘date’ Hello Kitty
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 …
Elderly man arrested for setting a fire on bullet train
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. Yasuhi…
New breast cancer screening technology developed
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…