Tanabata is one of Japan’s most beloved summer festivals, filling streets with color, music, and handmade decorations. While its story is centuries old, how it’s celebrated today continues to change and grow.

Every year in Kumamoto, fire lights up the sea in one of Japan’s most mysterious and striking summer festivals—the Shiranui Fire Festival of the Sea. This unique event blends legend, science, and ritual, all focused around strange lights said to appear over the ocean.

Racing on a slot car track may seem like a relic of the past, but it has carved out a lasting home in Japanese hobby culture. Tucked between modern gaming and remote-controlled toys, this hands-on pursuit continues to draw fans of engineering, model-building, and motorsport. While not mainstream, the community around slot car racing is...

The Japanese language is filled with special words that describe deep feelings, habits, and ways of seeing the world. Many of these don’t have direct English translations but express something instantly recognizable. Let’s take a look at some words you should know.

Japan’s summer season lights up with vibrant energy thanks to its many Japanese festivals. People gather from northern fields to southern coastlines for celebrations filled with history, music, and color. Each festival reflects local customs, nature, and community pride. Let’s check out a few!

Onosato is a young sumo wrestler who has reached the highest professional sumo rank: yokozuna. Known for his strength, skill, and calm personality, Onosato has quickly become a symbol of the sport’s future. His recent promotion to yokozuna–the highest rank– marks a significant moment in his career and in sumo history. With a strong amateur...