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.

What was once highly commercialized music suited for city folk back in the 80s, city pop has recently exploded in popularity worldwide. If you’ve never listened to city pop or spent an afternoon lounging with a whole playlist on your TV, this is the article for you!

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...

Today, we’ll introduce the Mishima Skywalk Ajisai Festival in Shizuoka. With stunning views of Mount Fuji, forest trails lined with blossoms, and fun seasonal activities, it’s a perfect early summer escape.

Thanks to the amazing artists who helped shape and grow it, Japanese pop art has spread worldwide and captured the hearts of many.