TOP MEDIA BLOG BlogA New Challenge to Redefine the Future of Cultural Heritage11/18/2025by Tomohiro Kimura Originally published in Japanese · Translated into English by PlanetDAO “We’ve reached our limit — financially and in age.” These candid words from Tadashi Hojo, younger brother… Sado Island: A Land of Exile, A Land of Renewal09/11/2025Sado Island, off the coast of Niigata Prefecture, was once synonymous with isolation and punishment. For centuries, it served as a remote outpost for those cast out by Japan’s ruling… Akiya Issues Over the Last Two Decades08/23/2025Over the past 20 years, Japan has witnessed a silent crisis—millions of homes standing empty, crumbling in quiet rural towns and even urban suburbs. Known as akiya (空き家), these vacant… Most Commonly Visited Destinations in Japan in the First Half of 202508/12/2025Japan's tourism sector has surged in the first half of 2025, reaching record-breaking levels of international interest. From Tokyo’s tech-savvy charm to Okinawa’s tropical allure, travelers are flocking to the… Unclaimed Legacy: Japan’s Growing Problem of Inherited Land08/01/2025Japan is facing a mounting crisis of land abandonment, with the issue of unclear inheritance at its core. As rural depopulation accelerates and generational values shift, land once passed proudly… Abandoned Farmlands in Japan07/24/2025Introduction: A Hidden Landscape of Abandonment Japan’s countryside, often romanticized for its rice terraces, misty mountains, and time-honored agricultural traditions, is facing a quiet but escalating crisis: farmland abandonment. While… The Power of Bamboo07/18/2025Bamboo, with its elegant form and notable resilience, has long been an essential element in Japanese life. Beyond its visual appeal, bamboo symbolizes purity, flexibility, and strength, which are values… Inbound Tourism in Japan Over the Last Decades07/09/2025Discover how Japan transformed inbound tourism from economic strategy to cultural exchange, focusing on sustainability and regional revitalization. Shrinking Temples, Fewer Danka07/03/2025Japan’s temples face a quiet crisis as danka parishioners decline and priests age, threatening centuries of cultural heritage and local community life. Kominka and Akiya: Discovering Japan’s Hidden Homes07/03/2025Explore the differences between kominka and akiya in Japan’s housing landscape, and discover why these traditional and vacant homes are attracting global interest for sustainable living and cultural immersion. How Japan Classifies Historic Architecture07/03/2025Discover how Japan classifies historic architecture through Registered and Important Cultural Properties, balancing preservation and adaptive reuse to keep cultural assets alive for future generations.
