Japanology Plus mini

E1. Under Elevated Train Tracks

Feb 7, 2026 · 5m

Spaces under Japan's elevated train tracks are being used in a variety of ways, from restaurants to skate parks. Some towns are utilizing these spaces as part of their regional revitalization efforts.

E2. Onigiri

Feb 8, 2026 · 5m

Japan's comfort food, onigiri. We explore new types trending on social media, the latest convenience-store offerings, and an emergency version that can be stored at room temperature for five years.

E3. Graves and End-of-Life Planning

Mar 1, 2026 · 5m

End-of-life planning is spreading in Japan. Some people are planning ahead and choosing low-cost shared graves over family graves, while some cities are offering end-of-life planning support.

E4. Repair

Mar 15, 2026 · 5m

As the need for circular economies grows, there's an increasing focus on repair. We see broken appliances being rebuilt at the circuit-board level and old clothes being given creative makeovers.

E5. Octopuses

Mar 22, 2026 · 5m

Octopuses have been part of the Japanese diet for centuries. Today, some people even keep them as pets. Octopus catches have been decreasing, but efforts to farm them on land are now underway.