Highlighting JAPAN

THEME FOR JANUARY
Winter Pleasures

In this month's issue, we take a look at some of the pleasures of the Japanese winter, from the “first visit” of the new year to a temple or shrine, to the scenic beauty of Shirakawa-go in Gifu Prefecture; from competitive snowballing in Sobetsu, Hokkaido, to illuminated flower viewing in Ashikaga City, Tochigi Prefecture.

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Wisdom of the Snow Country

An interview with Iguchi Tomohiro, representative director of the Snow Country Tourism Zone in Yuzawa Town, Niigata Prefecture

PDF(96KB) | HTML English | Japanese

Prayers for the New Year

The shrines and temples of Japan are at their busiest in the new year as people make their hatsumode “first visit” to offer prayers.

PDF(296KB) | HTML English | Japanese

A Taste of Old Edo

Monkfish hotpot, a popular winter dish in Japan, is the specialty of one charming old restaurant in Tokyo.

PDF(305KB) | HTML English | Japanese

The Garden of Illuminated Flowers

In spring, wisteria; in winter, illuminated flowers. Ashikaga Flower Park in Tochigi Prefecture pulls in the crowds for two extraordinary seasonal displays.

PDF(633KB) | HTML English | Japanese

Listen, the Snow Is Falling

Shirakawa-go in Gifu Prefecture is an enchanting place to visit in winter.

PDF(515KB) | HTML English | Japanese

The Snowballing Popularity of Yukigassen

Snowballing as a sport is capturing the imagination of snow lovers not just in Japan but around the world.

PDF(371KB) | HTML English | Japanese

Village of the Red-crowned Cranes

In winter, Tsurui Village becomes an important center of conservation activities in Hokkaido to protect red-crowned cranes.

PDF(505KB) | HTML English | Japanese

Warming to the Appeals of the Sauna

The popularity of saunas and outdoor “contrast bathing” is on the rise in Japan.

PDF(351KB) | HTML English | Japanese

PRIME MINISTER’S DIARY

PDF(112KB) | HTML English | Japanese

POLICY-RELATED NEWS

World’s First “Non-Gluten” Rice Flour

PDF(480KB) | HTML English | Chinese | Japanese

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Energy Generation through Water Channels

PDF(640KB) | HTML English | Chinese | Japanese

MY WAY
“Love-to-Eat” Sausages for the Community

PDF(408KB) | HTML English | Chinese | Japanese

SHALL WE DANCE?
Technique and Teamwork Bring Cheer

PDF(836KB) | HTML English | Chinese | Japanese

A TRIP BY LOCAL TRAIN
Board the Bataden for Nature and Culture

PDF(2,153KB) | HTML English | Chinese | Japanese