With February 3rd marking Setsubun in Japan, a ceremonial rite at the Kumano Nachi Taisha in Wakayama Prefecture, a World Heritage Site, was conducted, involving wearing demon masks, scattering beans while striking bamboo sticks on the stone steps to drive out bad luck.

In Moriyama City, Shiga Prefecture, along the shores of Lake Biwa, the early-blooming rapeseed flowers, known as "Kanzaki Hanana," are delighting visitors with their seasonal splendor. The rapeseed blooms are located in a field near the shore of Lake Biwa in Moriyama City, where approximately 12,000 plants dye the area a vibrant yellow. This stunning display forms a beautiful contrast against the white, snow-covered Hira mountain range in the background.

The synopsis and preview cuts for Episode 17 of the TV anime "The Apothecary Diaries," which will air on February 3rd (on Nippon Television Network, every Saturday from 24:55), have been unveiled. Set in the imperial harem full of rumors and conspiracies, the series follows the story of Maomao, a former apothecary girl (voiced by Aoi Yūki), and the stunning nobleman Jinshi (voiced by Takao Otsuka), who takes a liking to her, as they unravel a superb mystery.

Dengeki Online's serialized feature "Difficult-to-Read Kanji" challenges readers with a range of characters, from those so complex they're almost unimaginable, to seemingly simple ones that are surprisingly tricky to pronounce. The project is spearheaded by "Kyōji Yanagi," a humble calligrapher who lives with his cat. He'll continue to introduce kanji that might not be instantly readable, so let's all think about them together!

Rui Hachimura of the Los Angeles Lakers led his team to victory against the Boston Celtics. Rui scored 15 points, making it his sixth consecutive game to score in the double digits.

Recently, a troubling issue has emerged in the nightlife industry: malicious host clubs coercing female clients into prostitution to pay off exorbitant debts. An investigation into the practices of these clubs reveals a disturbing pattern of psychological manipulation, often referred to as 'mind control.'

Discover the convenient one-day pass "Minato Burari Ticket" that allows for unlimited rides on Yokohama municipal buses and subway within the Yokohama Bay Area, and enjoy cost-effective sightseeing with recommended perks and actual tourist routes.

The manga volume "Seito Shidou no Yuri Sensei" by Okano Kuko was released today, February 2nd. The story follows Yuri Takeo Sensei, a high school student guidance counselor known to her students as "Gori-sensei" due to her intimidating appearance. Despite her fearsome reputation, Yuri Sensei has her own network of information and subtly supports the romantic endeavors of her students, acting as a cupid behind the scenes.

A Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) survey has revealed that half of the 140 regional railway operators are experiencing a shortage of train drivers, leading to an emergency meeting convened by 172 operators, including major companies, on Friday, February 2.

Amidst a backdrop of rising interest rates, calculations have shown that the cost of servicing Japan's national debt, including interest payments, is expected to increase by over 7 trillion yen in the next three years.

A 23-year-old boxer who suffered four knockdowns in a Japanese bantamweight title match last December has passed away two days after falling into a coma post-fight.

Tokyo's Ueno district has become home to one of the city's largest e-sports facilities, equipped with some of the fastest internet connections in the country, specifically designed for competitive computer gaming.

Konami Digital Entertainment has announced the establishment of an in-house studio, KONAMI animation, with the goal of venturing into the production of animated content. The tagline for KONAMI animation is "Adding KONAMI to ANIME," signifying the company's intent to pour all of its expertise in CG technology, know-how, and production environments, cultivated through years of video game development, into the realm of animation.

A video featuring the legendary active jockey Take Yutaka and his former rival, now trainer, Ebina Masayoshi made waves on social media on February 1st. This collaboration, part of Suntory's new commercial campaign for Coffee BOSS, showcases a unique blend of storytelling and music, with a glimpse into the enduring career of Take Yutaka, who has been in the saddle for 38 years.

The popular free-to-play online mahjong game "Mahjong Soul" has just launched a new event titled "The Wish of the White Dragon"! I, Neon, a Rank 3 mahjong expert currently in a bit of a rut, am already enjoying the game. It's not just mahjong; there's also an SLG (simulation game) element that adds to the excitement! The majestic lady at the top of the event page is the White Dragon herself. I wonder if she will make appearances elsewhere in the future...?

The Japan Nature Conservation Association revealed the results of its nationwide turtle survey on Thursday, February 1, with more than half the collected samples being the 'Red-Eared Slider,' as this invasive species continues to expand its habitat, while there are concerns over the declining population of the native Japanese Pond Turtle.

The annual Odawara Plum Festival is a sign that spring has arrived early this year in Odawara City, Kanagawa Prefecture, with white plum blossoms already at their peak as of Risshun (the first day of spring in the traditional Japanese calendar) on February 4th.

February 3rd marks Setsubun, traditionally associated with bean-throwing to ward off evil spirits. However, recent trends show an increasing number of people favoring the consumption of ehomaki, sushi rolls believed to bring good fortune.

A photograph titled "Fire-Breathing Red-Crowned Crane" has captured the internet's attention, hailed as a miraculous shot. We reached out to the photographer for the story behind this captivating image.

For the third consecutive year, the hourly wages of employees at Universal Studios Japan (USJ) are set to increase. The operating company of USJ has announced a uniform wage increase of 50 yen for part-time and temporary employees starting from April.

Valentine's Day is just around the corner! With Valentine's Day evolving from a tradition of women giving chocolates to men to an event enjoyed for oneself, brands that offer a unique world view and enjoyable visuals without necessarily being high-end chocolates have gained popularity. We've gathered three brands that will make you want to pick them up for yourself.

The final episode (Episode 12) of the anime "Heat the Pork Liver" will begin airing and streaming, from February 5th.

The theme park 'Yumenoba,' focusing exclusively on transportation and set to open on the 11th in Chikusei, Ibaraki Prefecture, was previewed to the media on the 1st. Spanning approximately 56,000 square meters, the park features 25 facilities, including an aviation museum newly established by the National Museum of Nature and Science. Exhibits highlight Japanese airplanes and trains that were prominent in the 20th century.

The critically acclaimed anime series "Mushi-Shi" is currently streaming episodes 1 through 13 on YouTube for a limited time. This anime is based on the manga by Yuki Urushibara and first aired in October 2005. While not all episodes are available, "Mushi-Shi" is structured so that each episode is a self-contained story.

In the modern era, it's possible to earn money from the comfort of your own home. With the Ray generation, work styles have diversified, so we've explored the reality of this phenomenon! In this feature, we introduce "Web writing," "live streaming," and "SNS management" as potential income sources. First, understand your own type and find the earning method that fits "your aptitude" perfectly