Middle-Aged and Looking Good | Lifestyle | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
More and more Japanese men are taking an interest in fashion. This rapid in men's fashion consciousness has been sparked by such factors as the success of magazines like Leon, which targets middle-aged men who want to give off an air of sophisticated cool.

Delectably White | Lifestyle | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
White-colored foods are enjoying a surge of popularity this autumn. White versions of curry, tea, fish burgers, mushrooms, and many other foods and dishes feature prominently in this trend.

Making The Community A School | Lifestyle | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
An unusual university has opened in Tokyo's Shibuya district, a bustling cradle of Japanese youth culture. Named Shibuya University Network, it has made the district itself its campus.

Daddies On Leave | Lifestyle | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
A growing number of companies are introducing paid child-care leave systems in the aim of getting their male employees to play a more active role at home.

Lucky Grab Bags | Lifestyle | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
One of the highlights of the New Year's season for many people in Japan is shopping for grab bags, known as fukubukuro, or "lucky bags." Every year major department stores and other businesses offer lucky bags to grab the attention of the public.

The Bank Of Life | Lifestyle | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
In December 2006 toy manufacturer Tomy Co. came out with a piggy bank that combines saving money with the fun of a game. As users put coins into the Jinsei Ginko, meaning "bank of life," the life of a fictional character unfolds before their eyes.

Layered Food | Lifestyle | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
The kasanegi (layered) look, featuring two or more layers of clothing, has become a staple of Japanese fashion in recent years, and now a culinary technique inspired by this fashion concept is gaining popularity.

Sweets In Disguise | Lifestyle | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
With so many hamburger restaurants dotting the streets, the launch of a new outlet is usually no cause for excitement. But Mamido's Burger is an exception. Its distinctive offerings are all sweets made to look like hamburgers and other fast food.

Stone Baths and Germanium Soaks | Lifestyle | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
Young and old alike, the Japanese love baths. In recent years, two new types of bath have become popular. One is a dry form of bathing known as ganban-yoku ("stone-slab bath"), and the other is a soak in hot water infused with the mineral germanium.

Fashion Hub Gets a Facelift | Lifestyle | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
Omotesando, one of Tokyo's most cosmopolitan and trendy districts, is seeing a number of big changes this winter. These developments herald a new era for a district that has long been one of the most fashionable places in the capital.

Make Mine Macrobiotic | Lifestyle | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
What is the secret to staying healthy? For an increasing number of Japanese people, the answer is macrobiotic food. A macrobiotic diet is a diet that emphasizes natural ingredients and is heavy on brown rice, beans, and fresh vegetables grown without artificial fertilizers.

Enough to Make You Cry | Lifestyle | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
Tearjerkers, whether they be movies, TV series, or novels, are nothing new. What is new, however, is Japan's current "crying boom" - a fashion for shedding tears.

Tofu With a Twist | Lifestyle | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
Brands of tofu with unusual names like "Handsome Tofu" and "Johnny the Tofu Maker, Blowing in the Wind" have been attracting attention on the Internet and around town, not just for their names but also for their exquisite flavor.

Working the Soil | Lifestyle | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
Young people these days are taking a new look at agriculture. Students are making efforts to bridge the gap between farmers and consumers and are playing a role in regional revitalization through their involvement in farming.

Spare Some Change? | Lifestyle | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
Appearing across Japan recently is something called the "charity vending machine," which allows users to donate their change to such good causes as environmental conservation and child welfare at the push of a button.

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.