TOKYO >> Contemporary lifestyles in Japan are reflected in new types of kotatsu, traditional tables with internal heating that are often draped with a futon (quilt) to retain warmth. Popular choices ...

Kotatsu, tables with a heater attached to their underside and a thick quilt sandwiched between a two-layer top, are one of the coziest ways to keep warm while relaxing at home during winter in Japan.

The glorious kotatsu is a beautiful aspect of Japanese culture. If you haven’t heard of it, it’s a low table with a built-in heater under it. By wedging a blanket between the top and bottom table ...

As temperatures dip and the city's infamous wind kicks up, Chicago's restaurants are looking for ways to provide outdoor dining in the face of a harsh winter. An unusual solution from Japan might help ...

The most commonly used Kotatsu today is comprised of a table with a comfortable blanket or futon topped with a flat table. Attached to the table is an electric heater, which distributes heat from the ...

A kotatsu is similar to an indoor fire pit — except that it’s meant to keep you (and your guests) warm while you’re dining. It’s usually placed in the center or the heart of the home and, simply put, ...

I’ll never forget my first winter in Japan when I heard that some Japanese people sleep under the kotatsu. The kotatsu, as you may know, is a small table with a heating element under it and a quilt ...

Winter may be unbearable but Tokyo has a way of making the cold seem pleasant – and at times, even enjoyable. When the night gets long, the city switches on its shiny, sparkling illuminations that ...

As Japanese houses aren’t exactly well insulated and central heating has yet to make inroads, the kotatsu is an absolutely essential piece of furniture for surviving the chilly season. It’s basically ...