[Festivals of Japan Season 1] The "Onyudo", the largest mechanical doll in Japan, is the symbol of Yokkaichi City in Mie Prefecture. Every year at the Yokkaichi Festival in August, the Onyudo entertains many people with its humorous and silly movements. Placed on a large float, its gigantic body sways...

[Craft Masters of Japan] The Sendai Tansu furniture was created around the end of Edo period (mid-19th century). Its fabrication process is based on 3 traditional techniques which were all inherited from the Edo period; ‘Sashimono (furnishing)’, ‘Urushi lacquer’, and ‘metal fitting’. Nowadays, the tradition is well harmonized with a...

[Colors in Japan] The type of soy sauce called “usukuchi” (light soy sauce) is said to bring out the colors, aroma, and tastes of its ingredients but achieving its lighter color is no easy task. We focus on brewers in Tatsuno, Hyogo Prefecture who are putting their utmost enthusiasm into...

[Festivals of Japan Season 1] Every three years, a festival is held at Daisen-ji, a temple devoted to worshipping Mount Daisen. Participants walk about 500 meters in a procession dressed in costumes of old and pray for good fortune. Set amidst the wonderful scenery of the magnificent Mount Daisen, this...