In recent years, Japan's kawaii culture has exploded in popularity. WSJ's Eric Bellman speaks with author Manami Okazaki about how cuteness has gained a global fanbase.

Editor’s note: This series showcases cool and special souvenirs made in Japan’s capital of Tokyo, formerly known as Edo. Founded in 1931 in Tokyo's Tsukiji district, Tsutaya Shouten Co.

TOKYO--Hello Kitty turns 50 on Friday ... Part of the confusion stems from a misunderstanding of “kawaii,” which is Japanese for “cute” but also connotes a lovable or adorable essence.

Jane is a homebody, but the promise of an adventure of a lifetime inspires her to spend her weekends travelling. When she's not on the road travelling, she's writing about the places she's been to or ...

In Japan, ‘cute’ is a big deal. Their own word for it, kawaii (“ka-why-ee”), is more of an ethos than an adjective. Shops and billboards are filled with big-eyed fluffy figures.

Choose from Girl Japan stock illustrations from iStock. Find high-quality royalty-free vector images that you won't find anywhere else. Video Back Videos home Signature collection Essentials ...

Browse 17,700+ japan girl stock illustrations and vector graphics available royalty-free, or search for japan girl shadow to find more great stock images and vector art. Kawaii maid cafe girls ...

This super kawaii shop in Harajuku offers a sweet version of the popular dish, combining colorful taco shells with a variety of sweet fillings. Choose from four ice cream flavors, all with a whole ...

Before moving to Tokyo in ... his genre as Kawaii Metal (or ‘Cute Metal’), which mixes some elements from heavy metal and J-Pop. One of the pioneers of this genre is a Japanese idol trio ...