Expo

Inside the World’s Largest Wooden Structure Built for Expo 2025 Osaka

June 18, 2025 by Japan Daily Leave a Comment

As Japan gears up to welcome the world for Expo 2025 in Osaka, one structure is capturing global attention for its scale and vision—the world's largest wooden structure ever built. In contrast to the usual steel-and-glass landmarks often seen at international expos, this ambitious creation stands out for its focus on sustainability, cultural heritage, and modern design … [Read more...] about Inside the World’s Largest Wooden Structure Built for Expo 2025 Osaka

What is the Irezumi Yakuza Tattoo

Irregular symbols are as effective, enigmatic, and contentious in the dim corners of Japanese history and culture as the irezumi yakuza tattoo. Intensely ingrained in Japan’s intricate social development, this centuries-old body art form has come to symbolize both artistic beauty and social rebellion. Though the practice of irezumi predates the modern yakuza, their association […]

Tanuki: The Quirky Raccoon Dog of Japanese Folklore

From the series of cute and fascinating animals in Japan, the Tanuki (also known as the raccoon dog or Nyctereutes procyonoides) stands out as a unique creature. While it may seem strange or unfamiliar to the rest of the world, the Tanuki holds a special place in Japanese culture, folklore, and even modern pop culture. Let’s dive into […]

The Japanese Man Who Refused to Age: Aki’s Journey and Japan’s New Masculine Ideal

In Japan—a country already celebrated for longevity, discipline, and wellness—a growing number of men are embracing radical lifestyle choices to preserve their youth. What was once a quiet cultural preference for health and skincare has now transformed into a full-blown movement. For many modern Japanese men, looking young isn’t just vanity—it’s about power, confidence, and […]

10 Best Japanese Umeshu Plum Wine

Imagine a drink that dances on your palate with a harmonious blend of sweet and tart, a beverage steeped in centuries of tradition yet endlessly adaptable to modern tastes. That’s umeshu, Japan’s beloved plum wine, a liqueur with roots stretching back to the Heian period (794-1185). Crafted in early summer from unripe ume plums soaked […]

Nippon’s Digital Numerology: The Pocket Bell

In the 1990s while I was awkwardly transitioning from childhood to adulthood, the world was in the throes of another strange transitional period between analog and digital. It was a time when the internet was still charged by the minute and your high score in Slingo could be ruined when your sister picked up the phone and […]