A Winning Combinaison | Fashion | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
An item of clothing called a combinaison has recently become popular among young women in Japan. This word, which comes from the French for "combination," refers to a single garment combining a top with pants.

Fashionably Black | Fashion | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
Black satin trench coats, black dresses embellished with black sequins, black enamel bags and boots, and other black-dominated items are gracing boutique and department store windows this autumn. Around town, black is enjoying growing popularity as the color of choice for blouses, dresses, tight pants, fedora hats, shawls, boots, bags, and other items.

A Winter's Yarn | Fashion | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
Now that the cold weather has really set in, knitted clothes, warming to look at as well as to wear, can be seen on the streets of Tokyo in large number and great variety.

Spring Skirts | Fashion | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
Delicate, feminine skirts suggestive of spring are already appearing ahead of the full arrival of the season, perhaps due to the unusually mild winter Japan has experienced.

Layered Fashion - What's Cool in Japan - Archives - Kids Web Japan - Web Japan
Recently in Japan, many girls are wearing skirts and one-piece dresses over their jeans. During the summer they were wearing sleeveless shirts over their T-shirts, but now that it's fall, they're wearing their short-sleeve T-shirts on top, with long sleeves underneath.

Dressing Up For Spring | Fashion | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
Dresses have appeared on the scene this spring with a new burst of energy after a year of continued popularity. Dresses have become a hot item among women from all walks of life, and the range of occasions on which they are worn is growing.

Two Styles In One | Fashion | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
Shirt dresses have become a hit this spring and summer, adding momentum to the trend in one-piece dresses that began a few seasons ago. Women like these garments because they are easy to wear, more versatile, and less expensive than dresses, though they cost slightly more than shirts.

Full Contours For Denims | Fashion | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
Baggy jeans have moved into the spotlight in the 2007 spring and summer lineups, replacing their snug-fitting skinny counterparts that were all the rage last winter.

Minis for the Cold?! | Fashion | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
Close A mini skirt with boots is also a cute pairing. ©Color & Design Research Room of Kyoritsu Women's Junior College

Minis for the Cold?! | Fashion | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
Close A combination of a mini skirt with knee-high socks. ©Color & Design Research Room of Kyoritsu Women's Junior College

Masked Beauty | Business and Economy | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
A beauty sheet mask sold by Lovelabo under the brand name Bihada Ichizoku (meaning Beautiful Skin Family) is now a regular sight in the cosmetics sections of major drugstores and convenience stores. The mask has been recording unprecedented sales since its launch in November 2005.

Air-Conditioned Clothes | Science and Technology | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
Cool Biz is the title of a government campaign to persuade office workers to dispense with their ties and jackets as an environmentally friendly way of staying cool. And now an innovation called kuchofuku (air-conditioned clothing) is taking the concept one step further.

Playful Peripherals | Arts and Entertainment | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
A new range of novelty peripherals is aimed at injecting a bit of humor and fun into the normally staid world of IT. These products are easy to spot: just look for what appears to be a freshly fried shrimp or some other surreal-looking object plugged into a laptop or desktop.

Coredo Nihonbashi | Arts and Entertainment | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
The year 2004 marks the 401st year since the construction of the Nihonbashi Bridge across the Nihonbashi River in Edo (now Tokyo) by the Tokugawa shogunate. Fittingly, the area enters its fifth century boasting a large, new commercial facility, Coredo Nihonbashi, which opened in March.

Yukata - What's Cool in Japan - Archives - Kids Web Japan - Web Japan
Most kimonos are lined and must be worn with one or more undergarments, but the yukata is a single-layered garment made from cotton that can be worn directly over the skin; it's perfect for just after a bath. It's also easy to wear. After slipping it on, make sure the left side is folded over the right side, then tie it with an obi (sash). Yukata are versatile, too, as they can be worn when stepping outside for a moment and even as pajamas, and they're ideal for Japan's humid summers.

Pinkback Buttons - What's Cool in Japan - Archives - Kids Web Japan - Web Japan
Recently a lot of kids at school and about town seem to be wearing pinback buttons. Some attach them to their bags or caps, others to their T-shirts, and some even wear them on their jeans. There is an amazing variety of designs, from simple text to manga (Japanese cartoon) characters, abstract pictures, and photos of themselves or their pets. Pins up to about 5 centimeters (2 inches) wide are available, but the most popular size is around 3 centimeters (1.2 inches).

Men Get A Makeover | Lifestyle | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
If you think that spas, jewelry, and nail and beauty salons only appeal to women, think again. Recently, an array of new products and services that cater to men wishing to improve their appearance have been springing up and gaining popularity.

Kickboards - What's Cool in Japan - Archives - Kids Web Japan - Web Japan
Many young people can be seen these days riding what looks like a skateboard with a handlebar. This vehicle, called a kickboard--among other names--is now very popular in Japan.

Hi-tech Winter Underwear | Lifestyle | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
Close There are many for men, too. (C)Mizuno Corporation

Hi-tech Winter Underwear | Lifestyle | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
Close Warm hi-tech underwear. (C)Mizuno Corporation