The shop's offerings are a curious mix: bananas alongside mackerel, tilapia, mutton, frogs, and fiery spices. It’s located in Kinshicho, Tokyo, a multinational food emporium stocked with ingredients from over twenty countries, predominantly…

Nagaoka, Niigata: the drive-thru window of a fast-food restaurant offers a local interpretation of Italian cuisine – fried noodles with meat sauce. A woman picks up a meal to share with her mother. Families load up on dishes for dinner, hea…

A pioneering venture: the first hospital cake shop in Japan. Located within Nagasaki University Hospital, a facility housing over 870 beds, the shop offers an array of strawberry and peach cakes. Visitors frequent it – patients, both inpati…

The University of the Ryukyus Hospital in Okinawa completed its relocation in January 2025, marking a significant transition to a sprawling new facility. On that day alone, eighty-five patients – ranging from those requiring intensive care …

The substantial block of beef is complemented by an array of seafood, including Ise shrimp and cod. The scene unfolds within a supermarket in Nishiwaga-cho, Iwate Prefecture. Even as the heavy winter snow falls – sometimes exceeding ten met…

Oku-Noto-Suzu. Even amidst repeated disasters, the public baths remain consistently crowded. Following the widespread water outage in the immediate aftermath of the earthquake, groundwater was pumped, wood salvaged from collapsed homes was …

Steaming meat buns, plump with pork simmered in a savory broth, tender bamboo shoots, and fragrant chrysanthemums. They are served from a stand-style Nikumanten on a street corner in Kokubun-cho, an entertainment district of Sendai. Open un…

A botanical garden, nestled in the heart of Tokyo, provides a setting for contemplation. Though many find little of note during the winter months, some venture there seeking something specific – a resonance with their own life's transitions…

Omelet rice, grilled fish, potesara, ramen, beer, and shochu – the menu at this long-standing, popular restaurant near Kawasaki Station offers a comforting array of choices. It's a place where many gather after late shifts or on days off, o…

The medal games stood in a neat row, the focal point of an afternoon at a game center in Fujimino City, Saitama Prefecture. A diverse collection of machines lined the walls, spanning generations from beloved classics to the latest releases.…

In Nishiyanagigase, a shopping street within Gifu City, nearly ninety percent of the shops now stand shuttered. The vibrant nights of the city's past have faded, yet life persists. A food vendor, working for close to fifty years, continues …

Draft beer, edamame, fried horse mackerel, yakisoba – the menu hints at a Japanese-style izakaya nestled in Seoul. Opened in 2004 by a Japanese proprietor, the establishment is a daily draw for Korean patrons. A colleague of mine, typically…

A light pork bone soup with thin noodles, garnished simply with green onions and char siu. This humble dish is found in a well-established Hakata ramen shop, a local favorite priced at 290 yen a bowl. Open twenty-four hours a day, it’s a co…

A vibrant array of breads – red bean loaves, crusty rolls, tuna dogs, and glazed donuts – filled the beds of small trucks. For three days, we followed the steady procession of these mobile bakeries. The vehicles navigated Yokohama, seeking …

The setting is a steep incline, "Nozokizaka," in Toshima Ward, Tokyo. It’s a slope so sheer that its base remains hidden from view. A diverse stream of people traverses this single incline: those finishing late shifts, children heading home…

The setting is a sprawling student dormitory at Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, nestled in the mountains of Beppu City, Oita Prefecture. Here, half the student body hails from across the globe – a truly international mix representing n…

Oden steams beside the heat. The stage is a prefabricated soba restaurant in Goshogawara City, Aomori. Open for only a few hours each night, the shop is small, designed for standing diners. Yet, it draws a surprising number of visitors: par…

In Saitama City lies a sanctuary for the art of bonsai, a collection of six gardens collectively known as Omiya Bonsai Village. Here, a diverse range of trees awaits – from modest specimens available for a thousand yen to priceless antiques…

A small zoo, offering free admission, provides a tranquil setting. Located in Yamagata Prefecture, it has enjoyed popularity for over seventy years, largely due to its resident elderly deer and vibrant peacocks. The zoo offers sanctuary to …

A statue of a golden lion, poised as if mid-roar, actually emits a resounding "Gao." It stands prominently in the square before Shinjuku Station, a sprawling transportation hub. Unbeknownst to many who pass by, this impressive sculpture ser…

A century after its establishment, the store resides within a hardware shop in Chiba Prefecture. Here, amidst pots and knives, carpentry tools and farm equipment, reside twenty thousand articles waiting to be handled. A carpenter arrives to…

Many travelers seek out Kishimen, a specialty of Nagoya. Tucked onto the platform of Nagoya Station, it exists as a modest stand-up restaurant, offering only eight seats at the counter – barely enough space for two people to pass. Yet, it c…

Newspaper stands are a rare sight now. Indeed, only a single one remains, situated near the scramble crossing in the heart of Shibuya, offering magazines and newspapers in a bygone format. Who are the patrons of this peculiar establishment?…

What do people seek in Shohei Ohtani, and how are they experiencing these days? The film unfolds across two locations: a park near Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, and a park in Otsugi, Iwate, Ohtani's hometown. We capture both sites simultan…

In Ehime, a public swimming pool offers exceptional value, boasting both competitive lanes and thrilling water slides. For half a century, it has remained a beloved gathering place for locals. Come, share in the midsummer festivities with t…

Here, in the station building directly linked to Osaka Station, you’ll find a cosmetics shop among the many, offering everything from budget-friendly trinkets to luxurious depakos. Each person seeks beauty for their own reason: a desire for…

The bus terminal situated before Nagasaki Station is a hive of activity, welcoming and sending forth five thousand people daily. Buses to and from across Kyushu and within Nagasaki arrive and depart in a constant stream. In August, a month …

In the Nishinari district of Osaka, close to the Tsutenkaku Tower, lies a karaoke izakaya – a place for drinking, dining, and song. For a mere hundred yen, anyone can unleash their voice on their favorite tune, whenever the mood strikes. He…

The camera descends into a world of hidden wealth: the Hishikari Mine, a golden heart of Kagoshima. It remains Japan's sole producer, yielding a remarkable three and a half tons of gold annually. One hundred and ninety people labor within i…

Short ribs, skirt steak, tenderloin… the rich gravy is simply irresistible. Here, in a small yakiniku restaurant in Shimbashi, Tokyo, the dining experience unfolds at your own pace. You can savor the grilling, add more meat, and request ref…