News
'You're not the police, right?': Going behind the scenes in Osaka's 'fake goods street"
22+ hour, 32+ min ago (967+ words) April 6, 2026 (Mainichi Japan) OSAKA -- The area around JR Tsuruhashi Station in the city of Osaka is known as a cosmopolitan neighborhood, with "yakiniku" restaurants, Korean food shops, boutiques and other businesses packing narrow alleys. Online, however, the area has been…...
Retro Japan in Photos: Fukuoka Jo Gakuin buildings a modernist architectural masterpiece
3+ week, 1+ day ago (48+ words) Retro Japan in Photos: Fukuoka Jo Gakuin buildings a modernist architectural masterpiece3/11" Please view the main text area of the page by skipping the main menu. The page may not be displayed properly if the JavaScript is deactivated on your browser....
Retro Japan: Natural light pours into Fukuoka Jo Gakuin school buildings
3+ week, 1+ day ago (177+ words) March 15, 2026 (Mainichi Japan) FUKUOKA -- Buildings of the School Corporation Fukuoka Jo Gakuin in this southwestern Japan city's Minami Ward take in large amounts of natural light. Fukuoka Jo Gakuin, which includes a kindergarten, junior high and high school and university,…...
Retro Japan: Aichi Pref. community center features characteristics of Tange's early works
4+ week, 1+ day ago (128+ words) March 8, 2026 (Mainichi Japan) ICHINOMIYA, Aichi -- A community center building in this central Japan city features some characteristics of early works by world-renowned architect Kenzo Tange (1913-2005). In 2010, the Ichinomiya Municipal Government purchased the building, converting the first floor of the office…...
Retro Japan: Man interned during WWII designed Kyoto church to show thanks to priest
1+ mon, 2+ week ago (190+ words) February 15, 2026 (Mainichi Japan) KYOTO -- A Japanese American man who was interned during World War II later designed a Catholic church in Kyoto to express thanks to its head priest for his wartime support. Catholic Katsura Church is in a quiet…...
Retro Japan: Insect or spaceship? Gym in Fujisawa defies labels
2+ mon, 3+ week ago (161+ words) January 11, 2026 (Mainichi Japan) FUJISAWA, Kanagawa -- Is it a bug or a spaceship? A gymnasium in this eastern Japan city presents various appearances depending on the viewing angle. Completed in 1984 by the architectural firm Maki and Associates, the Akibadai Culture and…...
Retro Japan: Miyazaki gov't building, once a 'castle in rice fields,' now a cultural asset - 毎日新聞
3+ mon, 2+ day ago (235+ words) January 4, 2026 (Mainichi Japan) MIYAZAKI -- Once called "the castle in the rice fields," the main building of the Miyazaki Prefectural Government is now a national tangible cultural property. The tower of the building exudes a neo-Gothic style with a strong emphasis…...
Retro Japan: Kushiro observatory provides expansive marsh view with futuristic interior - 毎日新聞
3+ mon, 1+ week ago (252+ words) December 28, 2025 (Mainichi Japan) KUSHIRO, Hokkaido -- Perched on a hill at the southwestern edge of the expansive Kushiro Marsh in this northern Japan city is an observatory with a futuristic interior design. The Kushiro Marsh Observatory features a bell-shaped observation room…...
Japanese camera makers ramp up mirrorless lineups amid growing demand
7+ mon, 6+ day ago (304+ words) August 31, 2025 (Mainichi Japan) TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Major Japanese camera manufacturers are ramping up their mirrorless offerings as they seek to tap into growing demand for advanced features such as artificial intelligence-assisted shooting. According to the Camera & Imaging Products Association, global shipments…...
Japan's youth invest in vintage apparel as secondhand market heats up
7+ mon, 1+ week ago (331+ words) August 24, 2025 (Mainichi Japan) TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Vintage T-shirts and other secondhand goods are commanding high prices in Japan as young people look to invest in rare items that retain value and consumers shy away from buying new products. Uncertainty about the…...