Does it serve food or offer entertainment? As night falls over the mountains of western Japan, this distinctive restaurant bursts with vivid hues. Designed to resemble a bandit’s hideaway, it draws patrons of all ages with its seasonal cele…

What happens when the lifeline to the world goes silent? Our latest story unfolds within a smartphone repair shop in Shibuya, Tokyo. The clientele is diverse: a young man desperate to salvage cherished photographs from a summer with friends…

Though exposed to summer heat and winter chill, many motorcyclists would not dream of another way to travel. Some forgo a daily coffee to afford upgrades for their machines. In Tokyo, a sprawling parts store draws riders seeking new accesso…

The saying goes that a man's shoes reveal his character. Here, we spend three days in a vanishing world – a street-side shoeshine shop, a rare find in contemporary Tokyo. The clientele are discerning, each seeking a perfect shine for a spec…

Amidst the relentless march toward a paperless world, a small business in Tokyo’s Ikebukuro district continues a daily ritual of consuming over ten thousand sheets of paper. This twenty-four-hour printing and photocopying shop draws a stead…

As the herring season begins and winter tightens its icy hold on northern Japan, the residents of Nemuro, a fishing town, find solace in a local convenience store—a place offering comforting meals with a distinctive touch. The shop, situate…

Tucked away in a residential neighborhood of Koto Ward, Tokyo, sits a bakery with the remarkable distinction of being open around the clock. Their Danish Bread, a decadent creation brimming with butter and fresh cream, consistently sells ov…

The heart of winter grips Tsugaru Strait, where a massive ferry links Aomori Prefecture and Hakodate, Hokkaido, across the expanse of 120 kilometers. More than just transport, the vessel offers amenities such as showers, a game center, and …

Nestled near Narita International Airport, Sakuranoyama Park provides onlookers with intimate views of aircraft as they arrive and depart from Japan's principal gateway. Often, several hundred people gather there daily, drawn to the awe-ins…

Route 45, a national highway that follows the Pacific coast of Japan’s Tohoku region, remains a crucial connection for communities recovering from the devastation of the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami. Beginning on the seventh anniversar…

For three days, we journey with a library truck carrying nearly three thousand books. In Matsuyama City, a public service has been delivering literature to the distant mountains and islands for forty-five years. The service is cherished by …

For a brief period each spring, the tranquil fishing town of Toyama Prefecture awakens to a vibrant energy as visitors converge from across Japan. They come to anticipate the arrival of the firefly squid. Near the new moon, when conditions …

While overall sales in department stores have lagged in recent years, their cosmetics departments have experienced a notable surge. In 2017, sales within these sections climbed 17% year-over-year, exceeding 500 billion yen. At one venerable…

Each year, the Japanese Derby attracts over one hundred thousand spectators, a testament to its enduring appeal. Long before the gates of Tokyo Racecourse open, devoted fans begin forming lines that stretch for blocks – some arriving a week…

The old hospital, a landmark constructed for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, is relocating to a new facility just two hundred and fifty meters away. To guarantee continuous patient care, the entire population must be transferred on a single day. T…

From simple breakfasts to indulgent ice cream sodas and sweet bean paste toast, our exploration this time leads us to a café in Nagoya. Tea culture has deep roots in the city, and cafés now constitute a significant part of Nagoya's dining s…

Tucked away in a corner of a sprawling industrial district on Tokyo Bay lies a park where anglers can fish at any hour. The waterfront oasis offers the chance to catch over twenty species, including horse mackerel and sea bass, drawing enth…

The undersea pedestrian tunnel, a straight and unremarkable 780 meters beneath the Kanmon Straits in southwestern Japan, consistently draws visitors. While many utilize it for practical passage between Fukuoka and Yamaguchi prefectures, oth…

In Shimbashi, Tokyo, a district teeming with office life, a local juice stand offers respite. Its offerings span a vibrant array: peach and watermelon blends, alongside more healthful concoctions featuring turmeric and aloe. Daily, over one…

The setting is a remittance office in Okubo, Tokyo, a district where forty percent of the residents are foreign. A constant flow of visitors passes through the office, each seeking to send funds to one of the fifteen hundred countries servi…