Sweet Bean Treats | Lifestyle | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
More and more health- and weight-conscious Japanese, and women in particular, are eschewing sweets made from sugar and flour and turning instead to delicacies made of beans, which tend to be a lot better for one's health.

Taking Jobs for a Test Drive | Lifestyle | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
Many developed countries have been grappling with a common headache - how to create decent job opportunities for young people amid rising unemployment and the spread of low-paying irregular work. Japan's approach to this problem is attracting attention around the world for its focus on matching young people with jobs that suit them.

The Tastes of Nagoya | Lifestyle | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
Nagoyan food is enjoying explosive popularity in Tokyo and other parts of Japan. Restaurants serving cuisine from Aichi Prefecture have made inroads in the capital, attracting diners with distinctively Nagoyan fare.

Middle-Aged Men Get Their Groove on | Lifestyle | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
Middle-aged men tend to be stereotyped as wearing dull business suits, but a new breed is on the rise: the stylish middle-aged man. Fueling this trend is a growing number of men's fashion magazines.

Teaching Old Houses New Tricks | Lifestyle | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
The old townhouses of Kyoto are attracting renewed attention. Some are being used again as homes, while others are being remodeled into inns, cafes, restaurants, and boutiques.

The Pleasures of Paper | Lifestyle | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
Japanese paper is prized for the unique patterns of the fibers on each sheet. Today, washi is finding growing use in interior decoration schemes, reflecting a broader trend, particularly among young people, to get back in touch with Japanese culture.

Bottled Tap Water | Lifestyle | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
Bottled tap water has been selling well, driven by a demand for water that tastes good but doesn't cost much. Water treatment plants around the country have been scrambling to invest in cutting-edge purification equipment in a bid to stay ahead of the competition.

Tourists Flock to Tsukiji | Lifestyle | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
Tokyo's Tsukiji Fish Market is enjoying booming popularity among foreign tourists, who go there not only to take a look around the bustling marketplace but also to lunch on some of the freshest sushi in Japan.

Celebrating International Cooperation | Lifestyle | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
The government of Japan has designated October 6 International Cooperation Day, and to celebrate this, an International Cooperation Festival is held every year at the beginning of October.

Counter Culture | Lifestyle | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
More and more trendy bars and restaurants have been setting up standing counters, which have proven particularly popular among young women.

Drawing Inspiration | Lifestyle | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
Of all illustrators in Japan, roughly 80% are female, and these talented artists are responsible for creating the characters, images, and packaging that is used to promote some of the biggest and most influential companies and events in the country.

Vinegar Drinks Catching on | Lifestyle | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
Vinegar, known as o-su in Japanese, is considered to be good for the health, particularly for improving circulation and countering fatigue. Now more and more Japanese are seeking the benefits of vinegar by drinking vinegar-based beverages.

The Perfect Cure for Cold Feet | Lifestyle | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
For the Japanese, bathing in an onsen (hot spring) has long been a favorite way to take the edge off winter's chill. But the popularity of another way of warming the body and soul, the footbath, has been quietly heating up over the past year.

Studying Kyoto for Fun | Lifestyle | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
On December 12, 2004, nearly 10,000 people on three university campuses took exams on the history and culture of Kyoto, Japan's ancient capital.

Underground Urban Farm | Lifestyle | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
An underground rice and vegetable field has been planted beneath an office building in Tokyo's Otemachi business district.

"Keep" the Customer Happy | Lifestyle | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
Regular customers at bars in Japan often drink from "keep" bottles. The "keep" concept has been carried over to other products besides liquor. Pickles, chopsticks, and coffee cups are just some of the products now offered on a "keep" basis.

Japan's Queen of Homemaking | Lifestyle | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
When it comes to the art and science of Japanese homemaking, Harumi Kurihara reigns supreme. Kurihara's reputation went global in February when her English-language book, Harumi's Japanese Cooking, was selected as Best Cookbook of the Year 2004 at the 10th Gourmand World Cookbook Awards.

What Is Your Favorite Tourist Destination in Japan? | Lifestyle | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
Trend in Japan Web Japan Lifestyle Select Archives -- 01-03 Feature Business Science Society Sports Fashion -- 99-01 Business Science Society Sports Fashion Arts -- 97-99 Business Science Society Sp

Job-Hunting Season Starts Early | Lifestyle | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
Trend in Japan Web Japan Lifestyle Select Archives -- 01-03 Feature Business Science Society Sports Fashion -- 99-01 Business Science Society Sports Fashion Arts -- 97-99 Business Science Society Sp

Cafe-Cum-Everything | Lifestyle | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
Trend in Japan Web Japan Lifestyle Select Archives -- 01-03 Feature Business Science Society Sports Fashion -- 99-01 Business Science Society Sports Fashion Arts -- 97-99 Business Science Society Sp