This is Shibasaki, a painting instructor. A watercolor section for beginners is about to begin. Let's paint a bright red tomato today. You are welcome to join me. (Watercolor by Shibasaki)

Japan's famed Onbashira Festival, with its dare-devil pillar-riding event, the 'kiotoshi', is usually held every 7 years, but the giant logs were prepared at a local shrine in Suwa, Nagano Prefecture, for a second year in a row.

A 14-year-old female junior high school student in central Japan was arrested early Wednesday morning on suspicion of attempted murder for stabbing her mother, who later passed away, with a kitchen knife.

Due to a rapid increase in domestic and international tourists, the government has convened its first-ever countermeasure conference to prevent the negative impacts of 'over-tourism' such as traffic congestion and noise on the lives of local residents.

A whale shark (Rhincodon typus) was caught inside a fishing net off the coast of Tottori Prefecture over the weekend, with fishing crew members spending over an hour rescuing the endangered creature before releasing it unharmed back into the sea.

As Japan works toward a system to verify the sexual offense history of individuals working in professions involving children, the Children and Families Agency presented a draft report on Tuesday regarding the "Japanese version of the DBS" (Disclosure and Barring Service).

A man who was accused of repeatedly kicking and abusing cows kept on a farm in Shimane Prefecture expressed full acknowledgment of the charges against him during Monday's initial trial, bowing in apology.

Shizuka heads to Minato City in Tokyo to check out a yokocho of a different kind. Yokocho, meaning “alleyway” or “side street”, are a network of narrow alleyways lined with various eateries and bars. (Japan by Food)

The number of students enrolling in doctoral programs in Japan has dropped by one-fifth over the past 20 years, government and other data show, in what business leaders say reflects the lack of attractive job opportunities for Ph.D.s. (Nikkei)

Performer Noriyuki Higashiyama is likely to take over from Julie K. Fujishima as president of scandal-plagued Johnny & Associates, Inc., ending a six-decade-long rule over the talent agency by the Kitagawa family, according to a report by Bunshun Online.

Warm and damp air has destabilized atmospheric conditions in northern Kanto, prompting weather officials to issue information on record hourly rainfall for some areas in Tochigi Prefecture, north of Tokyo. (NHK)

All public junior high schools in Tokyo's upmarket Minato Ward are planning school trips to Singapore next year, at a cost to the student of no more than 70,000 yen.

A foreign tourist attempting to "bullet climb" Mount Fuji without staying overnight, was rescued Tuesday morning after being reported lost by his friend.

For these women, tachinbo is the most efficient way to earn money. For men it's the most efficient way to have sex. Japan is a very efficient country. (Japanese Comedian Meshida)

In a build up to this year's main Kishiwada Danjiri Festival on September 16, a special procession was held on Sunday, featuring 22 Dashi floats.

It is time to have a look at this September's kabuki performances, which will include 2 major show in Tokyo (Kabuki-za and National Theatre), 1 in Fukuoka (Hakata-za) and 1 in Kyoto (Minami-za). (Kabuki In-Depth)

The Tokyo Branch of the Japanese Red Cross Society has been forced to cancel an exhibition of AI-generated content marking the 100th anniversary of the Great Kanto Earthquake following outrage online claiming the subject matter was "fake news."

This time I stayed in the new wing of the Ueno branch of GRAN CUSTOMA, a hideaway internet cafÈ with sleeping bunks that come out of the wall inside the room! (At JAPAN)

The Ambassador of the Kingdom of Lesotho, who has recently arrived from Africa, is hooked on 'Don Quijote'! See what favorite items she's buying in bulk! We also introduce Lesotho Kingdom cuisine and 'sacred dances' at the Ambassador's residence!

The design for the emblem of the "25th Summer Deaflympics," which will be held in Tokyo in 2025, has been decided.

A fire at a Chinese restaurant has caused mayhem on the streets of Tokyo as flames erupt from the 5th floor of a building near Ikebukuro Station.

A video recording of a person making an international call using Skype on the internet. During the video conversation between NY and Tokyo, the screen becomes distorted and something happens to the man's face on the NY side... (YABAI JAPAN HORROR)

Enoshima Island, near the old samurai capital of Kamakura, is a must-see for tourists visiting the area. (stripes.com)

Japan's economic landscape is one that has been shackled by deflation for a quarter of a century. But recent developments, including strong wage growth and a broadening trend of rising prices, have sparked hope of a potential turnaround. (WION)

Skyrocketing numbers of elderly without relatives are being exposed to predatory practices by private companies.