Crosswalks, designed to help pedestrians safely cross the street, are marked by their neatly arranged white stripes. Though they’re a familiar part of everyday life, seeing them used as a motif in an illustration leaves a striking impression.

Cross over with this collection of illustrations featuring crosswalks.

View more

View more

Towering thunderclouds roll across the sky, cicadas buzz in the distance, coastal roads and sunflower fields stretch toward the horizon... These are the quintessential sights of summer in Japan. These timeless, tender moments stir the heart with warm nostalgia.

Feel the sunshine on your skin with this collection of illustrations of summer scenes.

View more

When the leaves around us gradually begin to turn varying shades of red, orange, and yellow, that’s when you know autumn is fully upon us! From afar, it can even look like Mother Nature dyed the mountains a new color, and the effect can be breathtaking. While fall foliage viewing, known as momijigari (紅葉狩り, lit. “hunting for autumn leaves”) in Japanese, is an excellent way to admire the changing leaves, you can also appreciate their transient beauty by feeling the crunch and rustle of them underfoot during your daily stroll or commute.

Enjoy the illustrations below, which will surely make you fall in love with autumn!

View more

Are you a sucker for good natural lighting? If so, you’ll love today’s feature, which is all about komorebi (木漏れ日, lit. “sunlight leaking through trees”), specifically light filtered through the branches of trees or foliage. Komorebi offers the perfect balance of light and shade, and the leaf-shaped patches of light they create can make an otherwise ordinary moment appear magical, almost like a high-contrast watercolor painting.

Check out the following illustrations and enjoy how the dappled sunlight diffuses each character’s facial features beautifully!

View more

The period between sunset and dusk can be one of the most enchanting times of the day. Just before night falls completely, the sky turns an array of reds, oranges, and purples, casting everything and everyone in an ethereal glow. Because this period is so brief, it can feel all the more special when you manage to witness it, although once the sun fully sets, you might find yourself in a slightly melancholic and contemplative mood.

Take a look at the illustrations below—do any of them make you feel nostalgic for something?

View more

With summer gradually transitioning to fall, you might have noticed the days getting shorter and the evenings cooler where you live. While this might mean saying goodbye to summery skies for a while, the blue skies of autumn can be just as brilliantly blue, if not bluer—take a look outside the next time it’s sunny, and we think you’ll see what we mean!

May these gorgeous blue skies, boys, and men bring a smile to your face today!

View more

How often do you take the train? Trains can be a valuable mode of transportation, especially if you live in a huge city or don’t have a driver’s license, not to mention they’re a great way to beat traffic! If you have an especially long journey or commute, it can be an excellent time to read, catch up on a show or podcast, or simply stare out the window to admire the scenery. Even if you feel like you’re stuck on the train with nothing to do, people-watching can be a valid activity—you’ll be surprised at how fascinating you might find the mundane!

What’s your favorite thing to do on the train, and do any of these illustrations remind you of yourself?

View more

Who is that face I see, staring straight back at me? Bodies of water can serve as mirrors, but not always—sometimes, they show you what isn’t apparent on the surface but what’s real on the inside. At times, ghostly memories of days long past, and other times, alternate universes demanding your attention, these watery reflections seem to beckon the viewer to open the door to different possibilities.

Go ahead and wade into this ethereal world of reflections, but be careful—one drop in the ocean might be all it takes to shatter the illusion.

View more

Have you ever seen an aurora? Also known as northern lights (aurora borealis) or southern lights (aurora australis), your best chances of witnessing this ethereal phenomenon are on a moonless night near the spring and autumn equinoxes. Dreamy, atmospheric, and awe-inspiring, these dancing lights will undoubtedly be seared into your memory as one of the most unforgettable nights of your life.

If you can’t see any auroras where you live, don’t worry—try living vicariously through these illustrations instead!

View more

While it’s easy enough to look things up with a couple of quick taps or clicks, nothing can replace the smell of old books or the sound of turning pages. Not only are libraries treasure troves of knowledge, but they can also make you feel like a scholar in a dark academia novel, especially if you’re hunting down obscure references to include in your research paper—and who doesn’t like feeling wise and mysterious?

Do any of these books make you want to check them out or get lost in their pages?

View more

What makes bridges so fascinating? At times, magnificent works of art, and other times nothing more than several planks stuck together, bridges help us cross rivers, valleys, and even whole cities. Perhaps it’s the way they connect us, both physically and metaphorically, that makes them a compelling stage for a story to take place. Just imagine crossing a bridge to reach a loved one waving on the other side or walking in opposite directions after bidding farewell to someone, and suddenly, an ordinary bridge can take on a wholly different meaning.

Today, we’ve collected a variety of scenes taking place on bridges. Enjoy!

View more

“Wherever we are, we’re all under the same sky,” is a common sentiment echoed among people who share a close bond but live far apart from one another. And it’s true: regardless of location or season, you’ll always be able to see the stars twinkling above you as long the conditions are right.

From realistic to fantastical, these stunning illustrations are bound to have your eyes glued to the screen! Will you go stargazing tonight?

View more

Have you ever wandered or snuck into an abandoned building? Once familiar places such as schools, hospitals, and houses take on an entirely new feel when they’ve fallen into ruin, with only the occasional relic offering us clues of what used to be. Visiting ruins can be somewhat eerie, especially at night, when your imagination or ghosts of the past could conjure things lurking in the shadows. At the same time, it can be a sobering experience, and you might find comfort in the fact that nothing in this life is permanent.

What emotions do these illustrations evoke in you?

View more

Did you grow up near a railway crossing? They’re an incredibly common sight in Japan, especially in suburban and rural areas, and their loud audio signaling and flashing lights as the bars drop can evoke a sense of nostalgia for many people. Railway crossings can also serve as artistic inspiration, perhaps because they seem to lie at the intersection of everyday life and a world beyond that. Will something take place once you cross the train tracks? Or could it simply be your imagination? There’s only one way to find out!

Take a look at the illustrations below, and we think you’ll see what we mean!

View more

One of the most magical things you can witness when gazing up at the night sky is a shooting star. These “stars,” which are, in fact, meteors, usually only last a second or less, disappearing within the blink of an eye. Most of the time, you’ll probably get to see one or two before they zip across the sky out of sight. If you’re stargazing on a clear night, however, you might get to see many more, just like in these breathtaking illustrations!

Have you ever made a wish upon a wishing star, and if you did, did it come true?

View more

With the summer festivities drawing to a close, it’s time to go out with a bang—that’s right, we’re talking fireworks festivals! Summer in Japan isn’t complete without fireworks displays, and many places in Japan hold grand festivals towards the end of August. Seeing these colorful explosions light up the night sky is a wonderful way to spend time with your loved ones and is bound to become a memory you’ll never forget.

Do you have any fond memories associated with fireworks?

View more

Do you know what those huge towering clouds you sometimes see in the sky are called? Scientifically, they’re known as cumulonimbus clouds, and you’ll most often see them during summer in Japan. While these puffy cotton candy-like clouds may be pleasing to watch, be careful, as they’re known to bring sudden downpours!

Enjoy these illustrations celebrating these magnificent formations and the ways they dramatically paint the blue summer skies!

View more

No weather phenomenon is quite as magical as a rainbow! These beautiful multicolored arcs can appear any time water droplets are in the air and light passes through them, transforming the landscape into an otherworldly sight. Additionally, rainbows are symbols of hope, love, and acceptance and can signal a new era or social change. Just remember the following if you’re going through a difficult time now: after the rain comes a rainbow!

When was the last time you saw one of these magical bows, and have you ever seen a double rainbow?

View more

When it comes to reflections, we’re quick to think of mirrors and windows. However, those aren’t the only reflective things in everyday life! Puddles after the rain, the surface of your morning coffee, and even the eyes of your loved ones are all mediums through which you can observe your reflection and your surroundings. Depending on the angle the artist draws from, the scene can either feel like a snapshot of daily life or a dreamy landscape.

Take a look at the following illustrations and lose yourself in their magical reflections!

View more