2026

2026 1,536

October 2026

1. 31 OctCan Japan’s Self-Defense Forces legally open fire on a zombie horde?
2. 31 OctGuile cosplay goes with everyone for Halloween at SoraNews24 HQ [Photos]
3. 30 OctCold Stone is closing its final branch in all of east Japan, but it’s going down singing
4. 30 OctLife-size Monster Hunter dragon statues to be built at Japanese shopping mall
5. 30 OctEvangelion announces collaboration with Hard Rock Cafe
6. 30 OctBurger King Japan shuns Shibuya Halloween spirit, but keeps it alive everywhere else
7. 30 OctHello Kitty cuts ties with hit Japanese spy drama Vivant over torture scenes
8. 29 OctReal-world Legend of Zelda treasures, Heart Container lights and Ruppe pouches, coming soon [Pics]
9. 29 OctModern exosuits are opening up ancient Japanese castle climbs to everyone
10. 29 OctStudio Ghibli homeware brand’s faux oil lamp brings light, smiles, and Kiki’s Jiji to your home
11. 29 OctJapanese government still lists refusing to pay for dates as a form of domestic violence
12. 28 OctStarbucks Japan releases “Let’s Par-TEA!” Frappuccino and drinks for the holiday season
13. 28 OctShinkansen online ticketing service reports customer data leak
14. 28 OctJapan’s super cute tanuki bread skips tricks, promises to be treat for your eyes and taste buds
15. 28 OctJapanese snack lovers may soon be spore-ting the latest crowdfunded confectionery tech
16. 28 OctCup Noodle launching “isekai” crossover line featuring flavors from outside instant ramen world
17. 27 OctStarbucks Japan unveils new Christmas goods for 2026, with exclusive holiday surprises
18. 27 OctJapan getting a brand-new batch of Pokémon manhole covers in eastern prefecture this fall
19. 27 OctOne simple unexpected recipe swap will make your Japanese-style omelets extra fluffy and juicy
20. 27 OctThis curry restaurant might have the worst location in Tokyo…or maybe the best
21. 27 OctBaum vending machine in a Yokohama station lets us eat cake served on a luxury cruise ship
22. 26 OctVisiting the “world’s most precarious temple” in China, where getting there is half the battle
23. 26 OctBeloved, 100-year-old Tokyo public bathhouse Sengenyu is about to get a second life this December
24. 26 OctFishing information website for Susaki, Japan, hit by data leak, all 3 users affected
25. 26 OctIs this crazy-looking home sauna just what our busy daddy reporter needs in his life?
26. 26 Oct10 of the nicest celebrities we’ve met in Japan over the years
27. 26 OctThis Tokyo snack shop can send your taste buds on a trip around Japan for just 1,000 yen
28. 25 OctMochido donuts make a squishy return to Lawson stores across Japan
29. 25 OctChainsaw robots helping keep trains running safely in east Japan [Video]
30. 25 Oct93-year-old Japanese grannie helps set trap for scam artist half her age
31. 24 OctTokyo restaurant adds special seat for live-streaming and social media posting [Video]
32. 24 OctJapan’s mission to Martian moon and back underway
33. 24 OctMiddle Eastern juice bar B-Fresh lands in Harajuku
34. 24 OctPikachu Shortcake Sandwich set to be Tokyo’s newest photogenic treat for Pokémon Trainers
35. 23 OctSuper Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto to receive Order of Culture from Japanese emperor
36. 23 OctTokusatsu hero “Moonlight Mask’s” pocket change donations help traffic accidents victims in Japan
37. 23 OctGhibli composer Joe Hisaishi named Composer-in-Residence of Los Angeles Philharmonic
38. 23 OctOne of Tokyo’s most beautiful soft serve ice creams is also one of its trickiest to find [Photos]
39. 23 OctJapan’s newest tempura is…potato salad tempura?!? [Taste test]
40. 22 OctZombies serve cocktails and Pochita turns into parfait at Universal Studios Japan this Halloween
41. 22 OctTrial of terminally ill cancer patient who found 22 million yen on the street and kept it ends
42. 22 OctJapanese scientists developing cute, autonomously swarming robo dogs for anti-bear patrols [Video]
43. 22 OctFamily Mart enters the soft serve game with giga-sized cones of milk or matcha goodness
44. 22 OctAmerica is getting its first-ever One Piece store, and the opening date has been revealed!
45. 21 OctPokémon Company announces first-ever permanent Pokémon store to open outside Asia
46. 21 OctJapanese sushi etiquette: You may have been ordering sushi wrong this whole time
47. 21 OctNew Studio Ghibli anime gets extended run at the only cinema in Japan where it’s being shown
48. 21 OctPolice in Japan likely to gain authority to hack phones to check messaging apps
49. 21 OctJapan’s Pokémon donuts are back at Mister Donut, with Slowpoke making dount debut! [Pics]
50. 20 OctIt’s time for the kokia to shine at this herb gardens and ropeway attraction in Kobe
51. 20 OctUmamusume anime concerts unable to obtain visas from U.S. government, cancel L.A. shows
52. 20 OctFlying Mud Boat teahouse is a hidden gem in Japan that boggles the mind
53. 20 OctTiny no-screen digital camera gives us near-instant nostalgia by making us wait to see our pics
54. 20 OctThere are goats spending every day in downtown Tokyo, but why? [Photos]
55. 19 OctUmamusume anime concerts in U.S. may have to be cancelled over visa problems
56. 19 OctVoting begins for Japan’s next top kaiju
57. 19 OctEight low-key great places to spend the day (or half a day) in Japan this fall
58. 19 OctTokyo bakery has a crazy expensive 10,000-yen bread loaf set, and we’ve tried it [Taste test]
59. 19 OctNew Studio Ghibli stamps – Too cute to wait until New Year’s to use, so they’re available right now
60. 18 OctThe cheapest bento at this Osaka shop is only 200 yen, but is it actually any good?
61. 18 OctMan in Suzuka offered 9 million yen for his semen, conned out of 38 million yen
62. 17 OctBurger King Japan now selling hamburgers minus everything but the meat
63. 17 OctOsaka’s famous Glico Running Man will be removed and replaced with a new-look sign
64. 17 OctJapanese taxi drivers granted right to kick rude passengers out of their cabs before destination
65. 16 OctThis Japanese sandwich mascot is filled with fiery rage, and he’s got a point [Video]
66. 16 OctStudio Ghibli creates illustrated Kyoto sightseeing map, available at any 7-Eleven Japan store
67. 16 OctJapan’s bean sprout shortage hitting Jiro-style ramen businesses hard
68. 16 OctStudio Ghibli adds new Totoro and Jiji blanket socks to its merchandise store in Japan
69. 16 OctFinal Fantasy and Dragon Quest Christmas celebration coming to Yokohama next month
70. 15 OctKFC Japan releases its first thigh-meat fried chicken burger in 43 years, but was it worth the wait?
71. 15 OctWe hunt for treasure at an all-you-can-stuff Kanagawa secondhand shop for just 1,000 yen
72. 15 OctMan in Japan says monkey threw his cat into a pond before attacking him
73. 15 OctNew Studio Ghibli stamp rally set to start in Japan, with exclusive merchandise for anime fans
74. 15 OctVietnamese-language driver’s license tests suspended in Japan following alleged cheating
75. 14 OctTokyo Monorail, other east Japan rail networks announce discontinuation of magnetic paper tickets
76. 14 OctWe waited three hours to get into the new carb heaven all-you-can-eat bread restaurant in Osaka
77. 14 OctForeign travelers sitting on sidewalks of Tokyo’s Ginza are Japan’s latest tourism culture clash
78. 14 OctAmerican man runs out of money in Japan, gets arrested for overstaying tourist visa
79. 14 OctStudio Ghibli adds Totoro family goods to its anime merchandise store in Japan
80. 13 OctBilingual illustrated ninja guide stealthily drops courtesy of a top ninja researcher in Japan
81. 13 OctHigh-speed Japanese festival cart crashes cause two deaths on same day, ignite debate over tradition
82. 13 OctNew Gundam plush goods mix cosplay and comfort for Char-custom-level coziness [Pics]
83. 13 OctNew craft beer made from Japanese udon noodles celebrates centuries of Mizusawa food culture
84. 13 OctThis shrine in Japan invites you to hit and kick its god of poverty statue for good luck [Photos]
85. 13 OctTown in Kanagawa struggling with violent gang of monkeys
86. 12 OctWhat’s it like to stay in a Japanese container hotel?
87. 12 OctNew Tokyo facility promises to make you feel reborn, time in the womb and all [Photos]
88. 12 OctJapan’s newest anime figure crane game prize may also be the world’s weirdest hanger [Photos]
89. 12 OctPizza Hut in Japan now serves spicy glass noodle pizza
90. 12 OctDo Komeda’s beefy rice balls continue the chain’s hallowed tradition of “reverse fraud”?
91. 11 OctFree-flowing cocktails, natural onsen water, and custom pillows make this Osaka hotel a steal
92. 11 OctFinal Fantasy Fat Chocobo Curry coming to fill up fans, even if they can’t attend Fan Festival
93. 10 OctJapanese milk carton cakes are a genius idea that the world needs to know about
94. 10 OctGiant wagashi cushions will turn your home sweet home into home sweet Japanese sweets home
95. 10 Oct7-Eleven Japan now has Milk Miso Curry Ramen, but is that too much for one cup? [Taste test]
96. 9 OctJapan lodges formal complaint with China for calling Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi Sanae Takaichi
97. 9 OctSushi Bus starts running in Japan, but is it a tourist trap or tourist must-do?
98. 9 OctNew Studio Ghibli notebooks are a beautiful reason to write and draw by hand [Photos]
99. 9 OctStarbucks Japan releases new Halloween Frappuccino and drinkware, but are they worth buying this year?
100. 9 OctBurger King serves up Pickleball Burgers in Japan, with a tasty nod to the number 11
101. 9 OctJapan has convenience store fried chicken-flavor instant ramen, but does it taste like it says it does?
102. 8 OctMatcha ice cream discontinued by one of Japan’s favorite ice cream brands
103. 8 OctNew Sonic the Hedgehog figure costs 1 million yen, is made of Arita ware Japanese porcelain [Vid]
104. 8 OctIf anyone needs us, we’ll be in the cardboard Japanese snack house we just built [Photos]
105. 8 OctStarbucks Japan serves up new Coffee Espresso Cream Frappuccino for Nighttime Dolce Coffee range
106. 8 OctExperimenting with making hot sandwiches in the microwave with a device from Japan’s 3COINS
107. 7 OctTokyo train station will play Godzilla theme song as new departure melody
108. 7 OctVideo released of Pikachu’s real-world trip to space! [Video]
109. 7 OctShibuya goes hard on Halloween, announces countermeasures to prevent chaos on the streets
110. 7 OctStarbucks Japan releases new seasonal chilled cup tea latte with surprising accents in flavour
111. 7 OctTokyo government announces removal of all public phones from city’s Toei subway stations
112. 7 OctMy Neighbor Totoro calendar for next year can be yours right now at Donguri Kyowakoku
113. 6 OctStarbucks Japan unveils new Halloween goods with secret glow-in-the-dark details
114. 6 OctStarbucks Japan releases new Halloween Frappuccino for 2026, inspired by a cat in a mystery forest
115. 6 OctWendy’s Japan goes big with new limited-edition Mega Wendy’s, but is it worth the calories?
116. 6 OctTokyo no-map-app walk! Getting lost with Mr. Sato on the way to Kishimojin
117. 6 OctYogurt and Japanese koji fungus is Japan’s latest food trend, but how does it taste? [Taste test]
118. 6 OctNissin takes the lid off its first-ever Cup Noodle Point Program for you to win fun prizes
119. 5 OctSendai Bank gifts babies their weight at birth in money upon opening a new bank account
120. 5 OctOsaka man arrested for running little pet shop of horrors with dangerous crocodile
121. 5 OctKrispy Kreme Japan gets extra-local with adorable new Hokkaido snow fairy donuts
122. 5 OctMake-your-own-Totoro plushie workshop event coming to Ghibli Park park this fall
123. 5 OctViral Yokohama cafe tops teas with mini teapots with a clever smoldering secret [Photos]
124. 5 OctStudio Ghibli adds new cosy socks to its anime merchandise collection
125. 4 OctJapanese food hack says to soak your grapes in carbonated water, but is the fizz worth the buzz?
126. 4 OctOne of Japan’s best convenience store egg sandwiches is one you won’t find at the big three chains
127. 4 OctCuddly starry night Totoro and other Ghibli blankets set to keep you cozy in chilly months ahead
128. 3 OctForeign tourist numbers drop in Osaka, despite record-setting highs from U.S. and Korea
129. 3 OctStarbucks Japan says sayonara to the Filone for new sandwiches and a Pumpkin Soupuccino
130. 3 OctTotoro and other Ghibli anime figure humidifiers return just in time for the dry season [Photos]
131. 3 OctCasio collaborates with a Kyoto foil master for a luxurious one million yen G-SHOCK
132. 2 OctOpening of new Gundam anime superstore in America postponed indefinitely
133. 2 OctMcDonald’s Japan officially changes its mascot’s name…to Ronald McDonald
134. 2 OctStarbucks Japan keeps the Pumpkin Spice Latte alive this autumn
135. 2 OctJapanese Shinto ceremonial sand-digging in London celebrates start of British Library expansion
136. 2 OctKyoto announces two-tier admission price plan for Nijo Castle, non-residents would pay twice as much
137. 1 OctJapan announces new permanent residency guidelines, foreigners must earn more than average Japanese person
138. 1 OctJapanese scientists grow sheet of heart muscle cells for world’s first general-patient ReHeart-ing
139. 1 Oct7-Eleven Japan goes viral for new Salted Caramel Nut Latte hack
140. 1 Oct“We’d heard Japan’s sentences are light” say foreign travelers arrested for Tokyo robberies
141. 1 OctJapan’s first-ever conveyor-belt Sushi Bus announces Tokyo tour start date, reservations now open
142. 1 OctForeign sports team competing in Japan finds critical uniform item at convenience store

September 2026

1. 30 SepStarbucks Japan unveils new Pumpkin Soupuccino for autumn
2. 30 SepSample lots of little Japanese dishes at this hidden all-you-can-eat lunch buffet in Shinjuku
3. 30 SepToys R Us is leaving Japan after 35 years in the country
4. 30 SepStarbucks Japan releases new Pikachu Honey Cream Latte into the wild for new Pokémon collaboration
5. 30 SepTo stir, or not to stir – A Japanese rice cooker debate
6. 30 SepForeign tourists get free Shinkansen tickets in Japan, and here’s how to claim them
7. 29 SepStudio Ghibli’s Calcifer is ready to light up your home as a magical-looking candle lamp [Photos]
8. 29 SepJapanese eSports prodigy becomes youngest-ever gold medalist at Asian Games
9. 29 SepIt’s been raining in Tokyo for more than a month now, breaking a record at least 150 years old
10. 29 SepPickling Shine Muscats was not on our bingo card, but were we grapeful we tried?【SoraKitchen】
11. 29 SepJapan’s new travel route literally through the mountains links two other beautiful alpine courses
12. 28 SepHow to get into this beautiful off-the-beaten-path Kyoto temple earlier than the general public
13. 28 SepTons of used books in Japan being bought up by someone or something
14. 28 SepRobbers in Japan steal drunk man’s shoes and one million yen in cash
15. 28 SepRobot bartender bar opening in Kyoto, and no, they’re not controlled by AI
16. 27 SepJapan now has facial-recognition ticket gates, but why aren’t people using them?
17. 26 SepJapan’s Cell Phone Memory Restart event reunites users with old photos and past selves
18. 26 SepMcDonald’s Japan makes beautifully bittersweet burger anime music video with Idolmaster [Video]
19. 25 SepOfficial Metal Gear car boxes are coming to provide stealthy style for your pets
20. 25 SepNew Godzilla figure is adorable, destructive, and baseball-loving for Dodger Stadium Godzilla Night
21. 25 SepLady Gaga and Family Mart team up for a Japanese convenience store work video [Video]
22. 25 Sep7-Eleven Japan revamps its convenience store pizza, but did it ruin a good thing?
23. 25 SepDo Japan’s new single-minded convenience store bento show depressing poverty or satisfying focus?
24. 24 SepOsaka may name a district after mascot Myaku-Myaku
25. 24 SepOsaka’s amazing budget-luxury hotel has free takoyaki, craft beer, and comedy shows
26. 24 SepStarbucks Japan unveils new Pokémon collaboration with Pikachu Latte and exclusive goods
27. 24 SepFukushima’s popular dialect T-shirt vending machine gets its first sibling in Iwaki
28. 24 SepJapanese airport offering 19,250-yen sandwiches as last Japan meal for international travelers
29. 24 SepUS$9,700 solid-gold Pokémon figure going on sale in Japan, life-size gold-leaf Pikachu appears too
30. 23 SepSanrio to release own rhythm game for smartphones next January
31. 23 SepBeautiful Studio Ghibli coin/card cases recreate scenes and props from anime classics [Photos]
32. 23 SepJapan restarts at-home collection agent visits for public TV fees
33. 23 SepConverse Japan and one of Japan’s greatest painters combine for fine fowl shoes [Photos]
34. 23 SepBear found on Japanese fishing boat, escapes into the sea
35. 23 SepNew Cardcaptor Sakura fashion line delivers magical girl style for real-world ladies
36. 22 SepFamous Kyoto shrine has a message for foreign tourists who think it’s okay to dance at sacred sites
37. 22 SepStudio Ghibli releases new plush mascot character collection with a focus on friendship
38. 22 SepPikachu plushie actually goes into space as part of Pokémon/European Space Agency collaboration
39. 22 SepFinal Fantasy VII’s Buster Sword gets real-world practicality as a giant towel [Photos]
40. 22 SepDenny’s Mapputatsu? Parfait is hiding a big secret in plain sight that splits us down the middle
41. 22 SepThree amazing Japanese convenience store sweet potato desserts to eat right now (and 11 for later)
42. 21 SepStudio Ghibli unveils new anime stationery collection, with a Spirited Away River God memo stand
43. 21 SepMy night trapped in Nagoya’s flood: what do you do when Japan’s trains shut down?
44. 21 SepEmperor of Japan poses for photo with Studio Ghibli’s No Face [Video]
45. 21 SepThe number of centenarians living in Japan tops 100,000 for the first time
46. 21 SepCar-floating sheets selling well to cope with increasing flood risk in Japan
47. 21 SepTokyo cafe challenges customers to play with their food? Challenge accepted!
48. 21 SepThree Daiso ideas for a super-cheap but still cool (or cute) Halloween look
49. 20 SepOnly two Yoshinoya branches in all of Japan are on a train platform, and this is one of them
50. 20 SepJapanese sweet potato ice cream season! Häagen-Dazs and Muji take different paths to our hearts
51. 20 SepJapanese convenience store is very focused with its new bento…maybe TOO focused
52. 20 SepStudio Ghibli releases new anime socks that pay tribute to characters from four different movies
53. 19 SepGang of angry monkeys surrounds and attacks Japanese man in hot spring town
54. 19 SepFox spotted in Tokyo’s 23 wards, Japanese Internet wonders if it’s a shapeshifting spirit [Video]
55. 19 SepJAL first class cakes can be bought for a bargain, but are they as bougie as they seem?
56. 19 SepNaked illuminates Kyoto’s cultural traditions in Nijo Castle’s latest digital art spectacular
57. 18 SepNew Gundam Base superstores coming soon in the U.S., with one opening this month
58. 18 SepTokyo’s Square Burger claims it’s a viral hit with foreign tourists who’ve given it near-perfect Google reviews
59. 18 SepHatsune Miku/Hokusai exhibition in Tokyo lets you make your own Miku woodblock print
60. 18 SepBear spotted near most popular hiking trail on Tokyo’s most popular hiking mountain
61. 18 SepStarbucks Japan unveils Mitsuimo Milk, a new drink that celebrates the taste of autumn
62. 18 SepFree Mt. Fuji helicopter rescues for offseason hikers are ending in Yamanashi
63. 17 Sep“Lineup” begins for iPhone18 in Tokyo
64. 17 SepStarbucks Corporation is planning to sell off Starbucks Japan, report says
65. 17 SepGet more room in your luggage with new clothing compression machines at Haneda and Narita airports
66. 17 SepEverything old is new, and cool, again at this hotel in Japan’s hot spring town comeback king
67. 17 SepOC Japan Fair returns to California packed with all kinds of Japanese culture
68. 16 SepDoes Tokyo need self-driving taxis? Waymo thinks so, plans to launch fleet soon
69. 16 SepSnow Salt Soft Cream Cafe & Bar for grown-ups opens in Tokyo’s Ueno area with a bookish surprise
70. 16 SepNew Ranma 1/2 anime tableware and lifestyle goods are appropriately multi-faceted [Photos]
71. 16 SepTokyo to repaint streets over rule that makes it impossible for cars to pass bicycles
72. 16 SepJapan’s new Pokémon Poké Ball hotel releases new details, and it’s giving away free stays [Video]
73. 15 SepAre Japanese temples on Mt Koya cashing in on the foreign tourism boom?
74. 15 SepVisiting Kagawa’s popular cooking class where you make noodles with your feet
75. 15 SepPokémon Adidas crossover sneaker line releases in Japan, gives your feet Pikachu hugs [Pics]
76. 15 SepStarbucks and clothing brand Beams team up for launch of second collaborative core collection
77. 15 SepGhibli/Kyoto crossover artwork decorates goshuin papers for Zen and Ghibli art exhibition [Pics]
78. 15 SepJapan’s new delicious dark horse sweet potato dessert drink is waiting at a beef bowl chain
79. 14 SepMaking the latest social media snack sensation in Japan, Dot Butter
80. 14 Sep7-Eleven Japan releases a Kebab Sandwich… but does it really taste like a street-stall kebab?
81. 14 SepThe confusing enjoyment of our day-trip bus tour from downtown Tokyo to Yamanashi [Photos]
82. 14 SepHot pot in cans coming to Japanese vending machines this fall
83. 14 SepDoes washing rice in this Japanese pouch really make it more delicious?
84. 14 SepCan hanging a handy fan on your crotch keep you cool in the Tokyo summer? SN24 investigates
85. 13 Sep7-Eleven Japan’s Ramen Machine is a viral hit, but there’s one glaring problem
86. 13 SepBurger King goes viral in Japan for opening new store in a Japanese-style building
87. 13 SepJapanese pudding gets a massive big-eats upgrade at this Tokyo cafe
88. 13 SepVisiting Fukui can teach travelers how to make, and smash, Japanese kawara tiles [Photos]
89. 13 SepJapan’s middle-aged fairy man character stole our reporter’s heart in a hot spring town
90. 12 SepMt. Fuji may soon require off-season climbers to register with government or pay for their rescues
91. 12 SepStarbucks Japan unveils first-ever vending machine, with an exclusive coffee drink
92. 12 SepGhibli store Donguri Kyowakoku now has special frames to protect your anime art Paper Theater kits
93. 12 SepNew Gundam megastore announced for one of Tokyo’s most popular tourist neighborhoods
94. 11 SepTeamLab is building a new Tokyo museum, and it’s the digital art group’s biggest ever
95. 11 SepStudio Ghibli releases new onigiri rice ball-shaped lunch bag for Kiki’s Delivery Service fans
96. 11 SepDon Quijote ear cleaner sucks, and was criticised by customers, but is the new version any better?
97. 11 SepJapanese mayors challenge each other to nighttime ninja battle, now recruiting participants
98. 11 SepTokyo’s Shibuya puts up new posters asking visitors to use recycle boxes properly
99. 11 SepReal-world Zelda Master Sword on the way from American toymaker, plays game music and sounds
100. 10 SepTwo American women attempt to smuggle US$1 million worth of cannabis into Tokyo for a free trip to Japan
101. 10 SepRoaming rubbish bin robot at Shinjuku Station solves the problem of where to put your trash
102. 10 SepGhibli’s Toshio Suzuki not impressed by generative AI images, Hayao Miyazaki thinks even less of them
103. 10 SepEel sauce is our new favorite cooking hack for making any dish sweet and savory with zero hassle
104. 10 SepNew Shinkansen platform vending machine sells local-flavor treats from 127-year-old snack maker
105. 10 SepJapanese restaurant chain offering free food for a year if you beat massive meat bowl challenge
106. 9 SepHow to watch Studio Ghibli’s new anime in Japan, with a special after-dark outdoor screening for Halloween
107. 9 SepWe tried Japan’s Wobbly Beer Glass that forces you to drink water, and it humbled us
108. 9 SepLegendary Pokémon statues installed in downtown Tokyo, will be there through the fall
109. 9 SepTokyo’s Rikugien Garden announces nighttime foliage illumination event ahead of autumn
110. 9 SepJapan’s 20-year Ig Nobel winning streak continues thanks to people blowing their noses
111. 9 SepMegadeth guitarist becomes voice of reason regarding tourists dancing at shrine in Japan
112. 8 SepFamily Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
113. 8 SepThe Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time’s remake can be played with an actual ocarina [Video]
114. 8 SepJapan’s Suica Penguin character is “graduating”, and you can choose its successor
115. 8 SepConverse Japan releases green tea cup sneakers so you can wear your love for sushi on your feet
116. 8 SepStarbucks Japan unveils new Chilled Cup drinks for autumn
117. 8 SepStarbucks Japan proves Pumpkin Spice is NOT dead, with a new take for autumn
118. 8 SepAnime magical girls grow to gigantic size with new Madoka Magica plushies [Photos]
119. 7 SepTokyo’s red-light district cafe lets you dine inside a real 1960s cabaret
120. 7 SepOkinawa man convinced he won 700 million yen by scammers, saved by convenience store staff
121. 7 SepTokyo ward looking to change lodging laws, ban more than half of its Airbnb-style rentals
122. 7 SepUniqlo’s sister brand will be waiting with Pokémon sweaters and parkas this fall [Pics]
123. 7 SepMister Donut releases new sweet potato doughnuts in Japan, and we’ve ranked them from best to worst
124. 7 SepNew Japanese ice cream is Ballin, in more ways than one
125. 6 SepShinto shrine gate parfaits that tell your fortune now being served in Tokyo
126. 6 SepGo to hell! …at a limited time historical art exhibit coming to Osaka
127. 6 SepNew Transforming Business Card case brings anime mecha to Japanese work meetings
128. 6 SepStudio Ghibli adds new finger puppets to its anime merchandise collection in Japan
129. 5 SepKobe middle schools begin abolishing extracurricular activities, shift to community programs
130. 5 Sep7-Eleven Japan releases new Tsukimi Moon-Viewing range for autumn, with a must-try daifuku and teriyaki burger
131. 5 SepJoin Naked in the Niwa garden: Kyoto Station’s newest spot to craft traditional art
132. 5 SepJapan’s Tsukimi One-hand Bento’s name is all wrong, but it still looks entirely delicious
133. 4 SepStarbucks Japan releases new coffee table book featuring 18 of the most unique stores around the country
134. 4 SepNew Japanese convenience store rice balls taste like instant noodles [Taste test]
135. 4 SepStudio Ghibli unveils new My Neighbour Totoro Yearly Plate for 2027
136. 4 SepNew Pokémon anniversary song is 22 minutes long, features all 1,025 Pokémon species [Video]
137. 4 SepLego PlayStation recreates Sony’s original console, makes unusual choice for games to salute
138. 4 SepMovie about Shinzo Abe assassination reportedly in the works
139. 4 SepJapanese Starbucks that’s also an art gallery hosts exhibition by painters from Tokyo’s top art school
140. 3 SepKyoto temple bans visitors from wearing kimono
141. 3 SepStarbucks Japan adds new Sweet Potato Frappuccino and Latte to the menu, but do they deliver the taste of autumn?
142. 3 SepSolo travel in Japan: $3 all-you-can-drink deal at this conveyor belt restaurant is a fun time for one
143. 3 SepAmerican tourist in Japan arrested on charges of attempted murder and arson
144. 3 SepMini CRT-lookalike Final Fantasy figurines are awesome pixel art music boxes [Video]
145. 3 SepJapan’s first fall color forecast for 2026 is here!
146. 2 SepStarbucks Japan reveals new Tsukimi Moon-Viewing drinkware and gifts for autumn 2026
147. 2 SepElderly couple donates 400 million yen to erect Myaku-Myaku statue in Osaka
148. 2 SepJapan’s revolving sushi restaurant king Sushiro coming to U.S. this fall with high prices, no tipping
149. 2 SepThe mystery of Port Store, the Japanese convenience store that looks like a Lawson rip-off
150. 2 SepLawson convenience store opens its first mobile, trailer-style location in Japan
151. 2 SepJapan Railways announces unlimited-ride train pass for fall travel
152. 1 SepOnsen Egg Bukkake Udon Ice Cream makes us rethink everything we thought we knew about sweets
153. 1 SepFinally! Japan’s big three convenience store chains announce rice ball price reductions
154. 1 SepA real-world Pokémon Poké Ball hotel is opening in Japan at a still-secret location [Video]
155. 1 SepJapan’s most popular curry rice restaurant chain, Coco Ichibanya, might be for sale
156. 1 SepFamily Mart releases Famima convenience store products nationwide, but which ones are worth buying?
157. 1 SepTamagotchi evolves into a ring for its 30th anniversary, preorders now open

August 2026

1. 31 AugJapan’s birth rate rose for the first half of the year for the first time in over a decade
2. 31 AugFlock to Tomarigi, the viral app that lets you perch in over 1,000 spots throughout Japan
3. 31 AugFirst Pokémon anime movie since 2020 announced, brings new characters and staff to the series [Video]
4. 31 AugOne Piece Day 2026 brings new art, music, and new cast announcements
5. 31 Aug7-Eleven Japan goes viral for chilled soba that’s “too salty to eat”
6. 31 AugBeautiful 785-step Japanese shrine sando stairway walk is one very good reason to visit Kagawa
7. 30 AugFamily Mart joins forces with legendary sumo wrestler Chiyonofuji for new Convenience Wear collection
8. 30 AugSolo travel in Japan: Hidden beer garden in Tokyo is a haven for single visitors
9. 30 AugJanken Kebab: Win at rock-paper-scissors and get extra fillings at this fun Japanese kebab shop
10. 30 AugIs Tokyo’s Odaiba, once one of its trendiest neighborhoods, becoming a ghost town? [Photos]
11. 29 AugFamily Mart releases new Human Made Cup Noodle in Japan, with freebies for Nigo fans
12. 29 AugThis Japanese 7-Eleven has the most expensive drinks, and item, we’ve even seen at the chain
13. 29 AugMister Donut releases new doughnuts that look and taste like Japanese sweet potatoes
14. 29 AugMos Burger skips tsukimi burgers, crafts moon-viewing focaccia sausage sandwiches instead
15. 28 AugStudio Ghibli unveils new anime calendars and diary planners for 2027
16. 28 AugHikaru Utada sings new song in Shinkansen commercial for Japan’s Supreme Class cabins
17. 28 AugTokyo’s Haneda Airport opens new Terminal 1 North Satellite next month
18. 28 AugForeign travelers arrested in Japan following smash-and-grab robbery in Tokyo shopping mall
19. 28 AugPizza Hut Japan creates moon-viewing sukiyaki chrysanthemum pizza for tsukimi season
20. 28 AugFamily Mart reveals new T-shirt uniforms, relaxes hair colour rules for staff… but is it all too casual?
21. 28 AugAnime and Hollywood movies cross over in new Universal Studios Japan merch collection
22. 27 AugHobonichi unveils new 2027 planners, diaries and stationery with One Piece, Suica Penguin, Hello Kitty and a must-buy Mini Techo
23. 27 AugNonstop flights from U.S. to Okinawa return after 54 years, making travel faster than before
24. 27 AugJapan’s final Penguin Suica train cards have already shipped, and when they’re gone, they’re gone
25. 27 AugFarewell Final Ceremony announced for Tokyo’s life-size Gundam statue, will stream live
26. 27 AugNo, Japan’s prime minster did not make friends with a cockroach, despite what you may have heard
27. 27 AugStarting this fall, you’ll be able to take a Pokémon Jet flight to Japan
28. 27 AugStarbucks Japan adds a gooey sweet potato Frappuccino to its menu this autumn
29. 27 AugGodiva Japan hops into tsukimi season with bunny and moon-themed chocolate assortments
30. 26 AugDomino’s puts a new spin on moon viewing with Tsukimi dango-inspired tarts in Japan
31. 26 AugTokaido Lumière Express: Stay overnight inside the Shinkansen from Osaka to Tokyo
32. 26 AugMcDonald’s Japan reveals exclusive new Tsukimi moon viewing collection for 2026
33. 26 AugJapan approves foreign resident visa renewal fee increases of up to 967 percent, starts soon
34. 26 AugStarbucks Japan adds new Customisation Bar to stores, with free ways to hack your food and drink orders
35. 26 AugMinistop brings bulked up Okinawan-style rice balls to mainland Japan for one week only
36. 25 AugDragon Ball Z theme park, financed by Saudi Arabia, to be built in France
37. 25 AugJapan tripled its departure tax to fund tourism but is using the money on cherry blossoms and bears
38. 25 AugAmid foreign sex tourist rise, Japanese government considering outlawing paying for prostitution
39. 25 AugPolice in Japan looking for who’s responsible for dumping 80 loaves of bread on side of road [Video]
40. 25 AugPikachu and other Pokémon evolve into hydration types with Thermos drinkware collaboration [Pics]
41. 25 AugTurn octopus, spaghetti, and more of your favorite foods into crackers with Senbei Maker 2
42. 24 AugData suggests increased bear sightings have led to a decrease in mountain climbers across Japan
43. 24 AugNephew of Studio Ghibli director Hayao Miyazaki serves up Totoro Shaved Ice in Tokyo
44. 24 AugNike x One Piece collection brings Devil Fruits to sneakers and streetwear in Japan
45. 24 AugWinnie the Pooh cosplays as Yuzuru Hanyu for new plushie collaboration
46. 24 AugNagoya’s famous Shinkansen platform noodle shop has other, better branches nearby
47. 24 AugOsaka Starbucks has one of the city’s coolest photo vantage points, but it’s going away soon
48. 23 AugWe recommend not buying one pack of Japan’s new convenience store corn soup-flavor fried chicken
49. 23 AugOhaw? Ruibe? Pocche? While traveling in Japan’s north, we try Ainu cuisine for the first time
50. 23 AugNarita Airport Transit & Stay Program returns after six years with free tours and festival experiences
51. 22 AugJapan’s double-decker portable rice cooker/bento maker is better than ever with new version
52. 22 AugWait, some Shinkansen trains already have private booths that only cost 1,500 yen for an hour?
53. 22 AugGerman woman rescued from Mt. Fuji after suffering altitude sickness symptoms, hiking to peak anyway
54. 22 AugKFC Japan unveils new Tsukimi collection that takes moon-viewing to extreme levels
55. 21 AugMasturbatory aid maker Tenga releases officially licensed anime versions in Japan and U.S.
56. 21 AugThe Japanese government is ending its Cool Japan Fund program
57. 21 AugKyoto’s Meiji-era mansion opens a private tearoom with stained glass for just one day
58. 21 Aug7-year-old boy left behind on Mt. Fuji by his own dad
59. 21 AugSushi Bus: Japan’s first conveyor-belt bus lets you eat sushi while sightseeing around Tokyo
60. 21 AugNinja theme park suddenly closes in Japan, shadow warriors undone by shady real estate deals
61. 20 AugBurger King Japan brings back its insane all-you-can-eat One Pounder Challenge
62. 20 AugYou can send your suitcase from Tokyo to Kyoto on the Shinkansen for same-day delivery… but it’ll cost you
63. 20 AugWhy do foreign tourists queue up to eat at Tokyo Little House?
64. 20 AugJapanese man arrested after pretending to be foreigner while trying to rob convenience store
65. 20 AugAnime fans can now wear a Seiko watch inspired by Japan’s One Piece Shinkansen
66. 20 Aug“New York-style” tsukimi mochi burgers to appear at Wendy’s Japan this fall
67. 19 Aug7-Eleven Japan brings back best-selling flat croissant that became a hit on social media
68. 19 AugStudio Ghibli unveils new interactive stationery dioramas that bring anime movies to life on your desk
69. 19 AugPokémon and Polaroid reveal collaboration with adorable Pikachu and Eeveelution camera and film
70. 19 AugNew Shinkansen Supreme Class private cabins get try-before-you-ride displays at Tokyo, other stations
71. 19 AugStudio Ghibli composer Jo Hisaishi just set three Guinness Records
72. 19 AugTokyo pub prohibits talking or keeping your phone out, only lets you drink in morning on weekends
73. 19 AugUniversal Studios Japan partners with manga horror master Junji Ito’s Tomie
74. 18 AugDog-friendly Wanwan Liner bus to begin operations between Tokyo and Osaka this fall
75. 18 AugStarbucks Japan releases two new seasonal drinks that blur the line between summer and autumn
76. 18 AugTotoro shaved ice wows Studio Ghibli fans in Tokyo for a very limited time
77. 18 AugTokyo giving out free furoshiki from Pikachu’s designer to help tourists carry their garbage home
78. 18 AugJapanese convenience store sunglasses just became our newest Convenience Wear obsession
79. 18 AugKyoto shop turns traditional Japanese kimono into teddy bears, with special meaning hidden in their patterns
80. 17 AugHeavyweight ramen-style cheese fried chicken bowl appears in Tokyo, but is it genius or madness?
81. 17 AugA practical guide to freezing your boss’ hat in a block of ice [Photos]
82. 17 AugJapanese workers reveal their top five mysterious rules they wish would disappear【Survey】
83. 17 AugThese Japanese contact lenses let you put anime characters on your eyes [Photos]
84. 17 AugTime-lapse footage shows just how fast rebuilding in Kumamoto can go
85. 17 AugJapan’s Rabbit Island in danger of becoming Boar Island, tourists asked to follow feeding rules
86. 16 AugStay at a hotel with a bed for your plushie in Japan
87. 16 Aug12-year-old British girl who went missing in Tokyo found safe after visiting anime sites around Yokohama
88. 16 AugVisiting Japan’s muscular mascot character dog at his free museum near Kansai International Airport
89. 16 AugBest burger in Tokyo? JB’s serves up a cheap craft burger that not a lot of people know about
90. 15 AugJapanese gacha machine in Shibuya now sells tiny capsule terrariums
91. 15 AugNew Wet Rice Cracker Burger from Dom Dom breathes new life into a “miracle” snack
92. 15 AugKrispy Kreme Japan is baking up two new donuts that you can only get at one spot in the country
93. 14 AugWatch a sumo bout inside Tokyo Tower, at a new restaurant endorsed by two yokozuna
94. 14 AugRide a tram that survived the atomic bombing of Hiroshima on a new limited-time history tour
95. 14 AugGoogle’s first Google Store outside the U.S. is now open in Tokyo
96. 14 Aug12-year-old foreign tourist missing in Japan, police asking for help finding her [Video]
97. 14 AugPokémon donuts are coming to Krispy Kreme in the U.S. [Photos]
98. 14 Aug7-Eleven Japan has a “Super Spicy! Taiwan Mince Cutlet” that’s fiery red… but how hot is it?
99. 14 AugStudy finds hundreds of people in Indonesia legally named after Naruto, Inuyasha, other anime stars
100. 13 AugStarbucks releases tear-jerking new video inspired by heartwarming encounters in Japanese stores
101. 13 AugJapanese airlines set to cut fuel surcharges for international flights in September and October
102. 13 AugDelta Airlines adds first nonstop flight between Japan’s Narita Airport and U.S. in seven years
103. 13 AugHello Kitty x Godzilla Happy Meals are coming to McDonald’s, but not in Japan [Video]
104. 13 AugThe Japanese city where ordering grilled chicken doesn’t guarantee you’ll actually get chicken
105. 13 AugThis beautiful Okinawa beach gives you the best of both worlds when visiting the prefecture [Pics]
106. 12 AugShinto shrine in downtown Tokyo announces cosplay ban
107. 12 AugTokyo sweets store has a “350% Pudding Soft Serve”, and people are going wild for it
108. 12 AugJapanese figure skating star Yuzuru Hanyu and Winne-the-Pooh announce crossover merch line [Pics]
109. 12 AugBeautiful off-the-beaten-path spot near samurai castle in rural Japan looks like a Monet painting
110. 12 AugWagyu ramen for foreign tourists appears in Kabukicho, with a very high price tag
111. 12 AugDid you know? Only one Beard Papa’s in all of eastern Japan sells soft serve in a cream puff
112. 11 AugStray cats almost became classified as an invasive species in Japan but the change was overturned
113. 11 AugStudio Ghibli adds new Jiji’s baby plush toy to its anime merchandise range in Japan
114. 11 AugOver 1,400 cities in Japan see foreign population rise, total populations drop in new statistics
115. 11 Aug7-Eleven Japan adds new doughnut-like tonkotsu ramen fried chicken to its hot food section
116. 11 AugStarbucks Japan unveils new Kyoho grape drinks for a taste that’s quintessentially Japanese
117. 11 AugThis awesome Japanese arcade chain has crane game coaches to help you win prizes
118. 10 AugPolice ask Kumamoto residents to not get blackout drunk as much during earthquake relief efforts
119. 10 AugStudio Ghibli theme park announces new expansion saluting a previously off-limits anime
120. 10 AugOne Piece Day returns to Tokyo Big Sight and worldwide on Youtube 22 and 23 August
121. 10 AugAre Japan’s room-temperature curry packets the boxed lunch heroes we’ve been looking for? [Taste test]
122. 10 AugStudio Ghibli releases new Kiki’s Delivery Service Jiji music box for anime fans
123. 10 AugTokyo is getting a branch of famous Los Angeles hot dog chain Pink’s with Japan-exclusive items
124. 9 AugJapanese convenience store food gets turned into hyper-realistic stationery you can peel open
125. 9 AugKumamoto earthquake may have created Japan’s newest hot spring inside flooded restaurant [Video]
126. 9 AugThis beautiful rural Japan river is a great alternative to touristy summer retreats [Photos]
127. 9 AugJapan’s new beer glass is designed to force you to drink…water [Video]
128. 8 AugThis Japanese chopping board sanitising bag might be the handy kitchen gadget we never knew we needed
129. 8 AugTired of city life? Try out Japanese rural life for a few days on an active volcano in Kagoshima
130. 8 AugBandai looking to introduce Japanese government ID checks for admission to card game events
131. 8 AugNew Japanese vending machine at Shinkansen station sells cups of ice on platform
132. 7 AugJapanese toilet aims to attract foreign tourists but not everybody is happy about it
133. 7 AugEnd of a manga era as Weekly Shonen Jump’s circulation drops under one million
134. 7 AugStudio Ghibli unveils new finger puppets featuring anime characters from My Neighbour Totoro
135. 7 AugAnime fan in Japan arrested for ordering and cancelling over 4.3 billion yen in anime merch
136. 7 Aug7-Eleven Japan rethinks convenience store drinks with new Grilled Corn Chilled Soup Smoothie
137. 7 AugBeautiful Totoro bonsai figure needs no watering, makes soothing rain showers whenever you want
138. 6 AugJapanese convenience store Lawson now has stir-fried noodle-cooking robot chefs
139. 6 AugStarbucks Japan teams up with Traveler’s Company for new stationery and goods collection
140. 6 AugOver 400 titles of free translated manga from publisher Shueisha available for a limited time
141. 6 AugKochia calling: Right now is a great off-season season to visit this beautiful Japanese park
142. 6 AugResident Evil’s terrifying Licker becomes a bag in Japan that wants to feed you
143. 6 AugJapan’s largest online flea market reminds users that selling used school swimsuits is prohibited
144. 5 AugStarbucks Japan to open Shinkansen platform stores at Kyoto and Nagoya stations
145. 5 AugAichi city throws year-long 20th birthday bash for giant beckoning cat statue, Hello Kitty invited
146. 5 AugFinal Fantasy plushie shoulder bags are fuzzy and functional [Photos]
147. 5 AugAkita Kanto Festival, one of Japan’s most spectacular summer festivals, gets an anime twist this year
148. 5 AugU.S. government reportedly planning to close Nagoya consulate
149. 5 AugYoshinoya gets into fancy fish, but is the cheap beef king reaching too far? [Taste test]
150. 4 AugPokémon Center Online designates first Pokémon items that will require Japanese ID card to buy
151. 4 AugToyota Museum’s international retro vehicle parade returns to Aichi this autumn
152. 4 AugTokyo’s Haneda Airport airlines announce stricter luggage check-in deadline for domestic flights
153. 4 AugSanrio characters join forces with your favorite Japanese snack mascots as prizes at Family Mart
154. 4 AugCoco’s Japan is very confident in their chilled ramen, but should they be? [Taste test]
155. 4 AugIs covering your entire upper body with cooling strips enough to fend off Japan’s summer heat?
156. 3 AugPokémon comes to McDonald’s Japan for new Happy Meals toys, brings every generation’s starters
157. 3 AugSweet dreams are made of cheese at this all-you-can-eat cheese and doria restaurant
158. 3 AugJapan’s favorite popsicles add multilingual packaging to better connect with foreign tourists
159. 3 AugJapan’s Super Volunteer, 86-year-old Haruo Obata, heads to the Kumamoto earthquake site
160. 3 Aug7-Eleven Japan rethinks convenience store sandwiches with a wild new choc-mint variety
161. 3 AugJapanese popsicle experiment says eating one before going outside in summer helps keep you cool
162. 2 AugWe tried Starbucks Japan’s new coffee for people who don’t drink coffee
163. 2 Aug7-Eleven Japan adds new chocolate fruit gummies to its sweets range, but are they worth the hype?
164. 2 AugJapanese vending machine sells freshly squeezed lemon juice with a futuristic light show
165. 2 AugStudio Ghibli’s No Face twirls to sound of Spirited Away’s theme song in beautiful accessory box
166. 2 AugDaiso now sells stress-relief punching bags, but are they worth beating on?
167. 1 AugAir-conditioned dress shirts arrive in Japan to save working professionals from sweltering heat
168. 1 AugKoei Tecmo continues to be an investment firm that also happens to make video games
169. 1 AugLive-action Princess Mononoke is coming to streaming as a live event, previews look amazing [Video]
170. 1 AugTokyo security guard’s famous station tape font becomes official custom Nike streetwear
171. 1 AugGodiva Japan gets into the shaved ice scene with two luxurious frozen desserts this summer
172. 1 AugTokyo’s newest viral dessert is like a Japanese parfait inside a bread bun [Taste test]

July 2026

1. 31 JulStarbucks Japan opens new store inside historic seaside quarantine station near Tokyo
2. 31 JulJapan’s foreign resident population hits record high as Japanese population hits record low
3. 31 JulStudio Ghibli releases new Spirited Away earrings featuring mysterious anime bathhouse character
4. 31 Jul7-Eleven Japan adds new cold soup smoothies to its convenience store drinks range
5. 31 JulNew service lets Tokyo tourists display their faces on giant screen at Japan’s busiest intersection
6. 31 JulNew Studio Ghibli washi tape adds anime flair to Japanese stationery
7. 31 Jul7-Eleven Japan now offering baked-in-store pizza by the slice with two very different topping sets
8. 30 JulOkayama man arrested for catching butterflies in central Japan
9. 30 JulStarbucks Japan releases first-ever gacha capsule toys, featuring iconic menu items as plush coffee charms
10. 30 JulKumamoto Castle left illuminated all night long as symbol of hope for earthquake victims
11. 30 JulKatana of one of Japan’s most famous swordsmen goes on display to help Kumamoto earthquake victims
12. 30 JulSanrio’s newest item looks like dog butt, exactly like it’s supposed to [Photos]
13. 30 JulStarbucks Japan unveils new coffee drinks… for people who don’t drink coffee
14. 30 JulOfficial Final Fantasy beers are going on sale in Tokyo this month, giant Aetheryte appearing too
15. 29 JulMaximum entry fee for sento public baths in Tokyo increases slightly for adults next month
16. 29 JulForeign tourists in Japan eat far more rice than previously thought, according to new data
17. 29 JulLife-size Legendary Pokémon Mega Rayquaza digitally greeting travelers at Tokyo train station [Vid]
18. 29 JulJR releases prediction of peak Shinkansen crowdedness for Japan’s Obon travel season
19. 29 JulStarbucks Japan releases new “Afterword” collection that gives coffee waste a second life
20. 29 JulJapan has a maid hotel you can stay in, and it’s now taking reservation applications
21. 28 JulPachinko industry rebounds on convenience and innovation, but smaller parlors struggle to keep up
22. 28 JulKyoto receives more foreign tourists than ever before, but fewer visitors say they’ll return
23. 28 JulTokyo Pokémon Center announces reopening after months-long closure following stabbing death
24. 28 JulJapan’s expensive “phantom” melon is so exquisite it sells out in just 12 hours
25. 28 JulStarbucks Japan unveils exclusive new Frappuccinos limited to three regional areas
26. 28 JulMcDonald’s Japan goes viral for Samurai Mac burger hack
27. 27 JulPikachu and Ditto Pokémon desserts at Baskin-Robbins Japan look AND feel like their inspirations
28. 27 JulJapanese Shinkansen welcomes overnight guests for one night during summer festival
29. 27 JulJapanese government okays plan to create a backup capital city
30. 27 JulStarbucks Japan brings back the Caramel Waffle, but is it as good as it used to be?
31. 27 Jul61-year-old Kyoto man arrested for playing guitar and radio too loudly for seven years
32. 27 JulStudio Ghibli Laputa figure looks like it’s really flying thanks to cool visual trick
33. 27 JulPokémon Card Stores requiring facial recognition scans for entry in Japan in latest anti-scalper move
34. 27 JulA roadside hair salon stall in China made us Norway’s Haaland for US$1, and warmed out hearts too
35. 26 JulHow are you supposed to wash a Japanese futon duvet at the laundromat?
36. 26 JulStudio Ghibli adds new Ponyo glassware to its anime lineup for summer
37. 26 JulPokémon’s cozy city builder game inspires Cozy (Corner) cakes in Japan! [Photos]
38. 26 JulFamily Mart’s new Famima flagship in Tokyo has a hidden gem that most visitors miss
39. 25 JulUniversal Studios Japan requiring consent form for adults-only horror attraction
40. 25 JulWhy is Taco Bell failing in Japan, even as the country falls in love with tacos?
41. 25 JulStudio Ghibli releases Japanese curry shirts in honour of anime about the studio’s staff
42. 25 JulFace lettuce appears in Japan, with the face of Death Note’s Light Yagami, but why?
43. 24 JulJapanese Coo-Che becomes a viral sensation, and everyone wants a taste
44. 24 JulDance with demons in Kyoto at this Edo-period Japanese Halloween festival
45. 24 JulThis Japanese train station has a Giant Evangelion Spear of Longinus and lets you ride Eva art trains
46. 24 JulJapanese Shinkansen becomes an overnight hotel for three nights this summer
47. 24 Jul“We want to be Japan’s best cheap restaurant” says new (but also not new) Akihabara noodle joint
48. 24 JulStarbucks Japan releases a miniature display rack so you can create your very own store at home
49. 24 JulEight great words for talking about summer in Japan in Japanese
50. 23 JulKodama Shinkansen trains on popular Japan route get a whole new look this winter
51. 23 JulTokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
52. 23 Jul99-year-old woman rescued while attempting to climb Mt. Fuji
53. 23 JulStarbucks Japan adds a new summer Frappuccino to the menu, but is it as refreshing as it looks?
54. 23 JulWhich country’s foreign tourists spend the most money per-person in Japan? Hint: Not the U..S. or China
55. 23 JulCup Noodle and Columbia team up for a weird and wonderful T-shirt that’s very Japanese
56. 22 JulNew Shinkansen luggage drop-off system begins in Japan, making train travel even easier
57. 22 JulHatsune Miku, VTuber Suisei Hoshimachi perform opening pitch at pro baseball game in Japan [Video]
58. 22 JulForeign hiker on Mt. Fuji loses consciousness and dies, becoming climbing season’s second fatality
59. 22 JulJapanese government sets up new group to deal with trading card boom
60. 22 JulYakuza members arrested for building a road on mountain they don’t own
61. 22 JulIf you love Pokémon and cats, you’ll love Japan’s cat Pokémon cat toys and feeding dishes[Photos]
62. 21 JulTaco sandwiches appear in Japan with new Lunch Pack sandwich pocket flavor[Taste test]
63. 21 JulStudio Ghibli’s new moving keychains are the angry, adorable bugs from Nausicaa [Photos]
64. 21 JulBrand new Shinkansen bullet train unveiled in Japan… but it won’t carry passengers
65. 21 JulSanrio eco-friendly plushies are here for the earth-conscious lovers of all things kawaii
66. 21 JulJapanese curry rice burger gets all the attention in Mos Burger’s new birthday celebration campaign
67. 21 JulBeautiful exclusive Totoro tenugui towel is a gift from Disney to Ghibli physical media buyers
68. 20 JulStarbucks Japan unveils new peach milk pudding drink that’s like a decadent dessert
69. 20 JulGiant Snorlax, other snoozing Pokémon appear in Yokohama for Pokémon Sleeping Faces Research [Pics]
70. 20 JulCup Noodle releases cold-water instant ramen in Japan, but can it really be made with just cold water?
71. 20 JulJapan’s “edible fireworks” wagashi sweets return, but only for a limited time [Photos]
72. 20 JulMos Burger opens Mosh Burger ＆ Bar in Ginza, but is it fated to be a short-lived sensation?
73. 20 JulJapan’s popular curry chain Cocoichi has an elusive delivery-only noodle menu
74. 19 JulJapanese convenience store releases Japanese convenience store-flavor fried chicken
75. 19 JulWe found the world’s first Yakult 1000 soft serve, and it’s hidden away in Nara
76. 19 JulStarbucks Japan releases new fireworks collection that captures the beauty of a summer festival
77. 19 Jul“Stab-kill for two deaths” and other fun Japanese baseball terms
78. 19 JulJapan’s favorite quasi-local curry launches convenience store version – Does it match the real deal?
79. 18 JulTokyo’s viral 90-yen cafe pop-up returns to Harajuku with yogurt coffee
80. 18 JulStarbucks Japan releases exclusive new Bearista collection…with beary cute details
81. 18 JulJapan’s ultracompact kei car taxis are now ready for travelers to ride, if you know where to find them
82. 18 JulFamily Mart’s new Tokyo flagship convenience store doesn’t feel convenient, but is that a problem?
83. 18 JulA donut and sugar-loving bear in Japan is breaking into homes, checking fridges for sweet snacks
84. 18 JulGundam’s Char Aznable normal suit becomes roomwear for doing normal stuff in the real world [Pics]
85. 17 JulStudio Ghibli releases anime T-shirts that pay homage to one of Hayao Miyazaki’s most personal films
86. 17 JulStarbucks Japan releases new Discovery Series collection celebrating local regions and traditions
87. 17 JulJapan now has human refrigerators inspired by Japanese vending machines
88. 17 JulMass murder plot stopped by friend of Akihabara mass murderer
89. 17 JulDefacing the Japanese flag is now a crime, says government, punishable by up to two years in jail
90. 17 JulAfter job-quitting service, leave-of-absence-request proxy service sees rising demand in Japan
91. 17 JulBaskin-Robbins Japan’s semi-secret affogato is a perfect mix of fun and fancy [Taste test]
92. 17 JulTeen girl in Japan refuses to be victim, personally escorts train pervert to police for arrest
93. 16 JulHatsune Miku collaborates with Hokusai’s art in new Vocaloid ukiyo-e illustration series [Pics]
94. 16 JulIs Japan’s tourism boom slowing down? Foreign visitor numbers fall for first time in five years
95. 16 JulTokyo and Osaka make it into this year’s EIU ranking of the world’s Top Ten Most Liveable Cities
96. 16 JulTokyo Disneyland and Disney Sea raising ticket prices, free Fast Pass ending next month
97. 16 JulKyushu yakisoba Sofuren’s new food truck ventures into the Kanto region for the first time
98. 16 Jul7-Eleven Japan releases new sandwich that technically contains fruit but isn’t a fruit sandwich
99. 16 JulStarbucks Japan adds new Frappuccino, Tea, and Chillax Soda to its limited-edition summer menu
100. 16 JulEvangelion beautifully reimagined as iconic classical Japanese folding screen art series [Photos]
101. 15 JulStudio Ghibli releases huge new wooden clip collection featuring 25 anime movies
102. 15 JulShinkansen trial of moderately air conditioned cars draws mixed reactions from travellers
103. 15 JulJapan has otaku/fan event insurance to cover oshikatsu expenses when events are cancelled
104. 15 JulCan instant TKG from Don Quijote really recreate Japan’s beloved raw-egg-on-rice dish?
105. 15 JulJapan now has a takoyaki sandwich…created by a Michelin-listed restaurant
106. 15 JulJapan’s new Calpis pudding: The right call for summer, or tampering with purin perfection?
107. 14 JulHiker needs to be rescued from Mt. Fuji two times in two days, but system is working as intended
108. 14 JulCup Noodle unveils first-ever cold-water instant ramen in Japan
109. 14 JulTokyo’s Giga Mart lets visitors “steal” from a convenience store… if cameras don’t catch you
110. 14 JulStarbucks Japan adds shaved ice desserts to the menu at select locations
111. 14 JulStudio Ghibli releases new Totoro coin purses…but who’s the blue character?
112. 14 JulKrispy Kreme Japan’s free doughnut deal could sway you from a convenience store breakfast
113. 14 JulStudio Ghibli brings anime characters to the table with new Totoro placemat that’s like a movie cell
114. 14 JulJapanese government ID card and app to be required for certain Pokémon card purchases next month
115. 14 JulOnidon opens in Tokyo with unique fusion tempura rice balls you won’t find anywhere else
116. 13 JulShizuoka police inspector punished for playing crane games on duty
117. 13 JulMan arrested in Tokyo after allegedly luring foreign tourists into shady Kabukicho establishments
118. 13 Jul7-Eleven Japan reimagines the fruit sando with new chocolate bread version
119. 13 JulShake Shack has five regional shakes hiding on the menu in Japan, and here’s how to find them
120. 13 JulBurger King Japan goes viral for its new Big Mouth Dirty, but is it really worth the hype?
121. 13 JulMister Donut becomes “Mrs. Donut” for sweet new Mrs. Green Apple collaboration
122. 12 JulJapanese recipe for Tempura Twinkies takes America’s favourite snack to a whole new level
123. 12 JulStudio Ghibli calendar figures are back, look amazing whether you check the date or not[Photos]
124. 12 JulEnoshima’s magical night lantern festival is back this summer with spectacular views
125. 12 JulHatsune Miku crosses over into the real world in Coolish videos with Hoshimachi Suisei[Videos]
126. 12 JulJapan’s Pokémon hot spring reinstalls all damaged statues, adds no-touching rule
127. 11 JulSuntanned Hello Kitty steals the show in Japanese magazine’s Sanrio freebies
128. 11 JulPiko Taro is back to rock your world with bizarre new Super Cup ice cream video
129. 11 JulSurvey shows foreigners’ desire to work in Japan long-term dropping, but that’s not the whole story
130. 11 JulFurby is now a sexy anime girl figure[Photos]
131. 11 JulFamily Mart changes its Famichiki packaging for the first time in nine years
132. 11 Jul3-second salt company jingle becomes #1 karaoke song in Japan across all genres
133. 11 JulJapan’s Hormuz-triggered black-and-white potato chip bags regain some, but not all, color
134. 10 JulThree new starter Pokémon Jets to fly in Japan, first begins carrying passengers this month
135. 10 JulMcDonald’s Japan reveals new Pokémon collaboration range, covering McNuggets and lucky bags
136. 10 JulSolid gold Hedorah kaiju from the Godzilla series is now available to pre-order
137. 10 JulGodiva Japan is now offering two Chocolixirs for the price of one, and here’s how to get them
138. 10 JulHollywood live-action Naruto movie announces global search for its Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura
139. 10 JulForeign tourists staying in one part of Japan can now get nightly government hotel discounts
140. 10 JulSet sail on top of a giant pirate ship to watch Japan’s summer fireworks
141. 10 JulGiant Mewtwo statue disappears from real-life Pokémon Center in Japan, may be headed to America
142. 10 JulFamily Mart opens new “Famima” flagship store in Tokyo that’s like a tourist attraction
143. 9 JulUniqlo looks back to the very start of Pokémon with new black-and-white pixel art T-shirts[Pics]
144. 9 JulStudio Ghibli theme park’s new dessert is a drinkable version of Hayao Miyazaki’s pilot daydream
145. 9 JulKurokawa Onsen celebrates 40 years of its beloved bathing pass with redesign, summer festivities
146. 9 JulJapan reacts to Donald Trump’s “Islamic Republic of Japan” remark
147. 9 JulStarbucks Japan puts a bow on peach season with new limited-edition Peach Creamy Tea Latte
148. 9 JulGrandpa Sensei solo art exhibition returning to Tokyo and he’ll be there every day of it
149. 9 JulJapanese airport rebrands itself as “Sushi Airport” to attract foreign tourists
150. 8 JulJapan now has a Pokémon airport that features every species of Flying-type ever[Video]
151. 8 JulRaw chicken dishes to be regulated by Japanese government
152. 8 JulStudio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
153. 8 JulForeign tourists injured in Nissan GT-R crash near Tokyo’s Shibuya Scramble Crossing
154. 8 JulClimbing season officially opens for Japan’s Mt. Hiyoriyama, the shortest mountain in the country
155. 8 JulTochigi man shares his family’s process for creating 16 years worth of rice paddy art
156. 7 JulFamous sweets store in Ameyoko fills a bag with sweets and a show, but is it still worth it?
157. 7 JulYoshinoya and Dragon Quest slaying scalpers with shift to made-to-order collaboration merch
158. 7 JulTokyo revises accommodation tax amidst tourism boom, Airbnb rentals now included
159. 7 Jul7-Eleven Japan now has Vietnamese banh mi sandwiches, but how do they taste?[Taste test]
160. 7 JulNew Mt. Fuji overnight bus takes travelers from downtown Tokyo straight to the most popular hiking trail
161. 7 JulPotato-Chip-Flavored Dressing coming to stores in Japan
162. 6 JulKirby Cafe gets even cuter with new summer menu and dishware you can take home[Photos]
163. 6 JulTokyo’s giant Pokémon Stamp Rally is back for 2026 with exclusive prizes up for grabs
164. 6 JulJapan to get new high-speed train connecting Haneda and Narita airports, ease overtourism
165. 6 JulJapan announces plans for twenty-fold increase in permanent residency fees, alongside higher visa costs
166. 6 JulJapan moves to enforce language requirements for foreign nationals seeking permanent residency
167. 6 JulA visit to Sri Lanka’s knockoff knockoff Uniqlo (no, we didn’t stutter) to see its rare “Pikachus”
168. 5 Jul7-Eleven Japan releases chocolate cookies that taste like freshly baked melon bread
169. 5 JulHow to cook shiitake mushrooms like a Japanese manga character
170. 5 JulUdon pudding is about to shake up the noodle scene in Japan
171. 5 JulThe quest for Dragon Quest Yoshinoya figure sets: Worth taking for fans, tricky for scalpers[Pics]
172. 4 JulDon’t judge this Kiki’s Delivery Service book by its cover, because it’s not actually a book!
173. 4 JulKFC Japan creates spicy summer fried chicken chips together with Calbee
174. 4 JulSanrio’s new McDonald’s Japan Happy Meals give the spotlight all to Cinnamoroll[Photos]
175. 4 JulKrispy Kreme Japan adds two cute limited-edition doughnuts to its summer menu
176. 3 JulStudio Ghibli releases a musical diorama based on a touching anime scene from My Neighbour Totoro
177. 3 JulJapan has a new maid school, and it’s now accepting applicants for its first term
178. 3 JulJapanese train company brings back beloved “patapata” departure board…with a clever digital twist
179. 3 JulWe try Krispy Kreme Japan’s first-ever all-you-can-eat doughnut deal
180. 3 JulForeign resident of Japan arrested after spraying bear repellant inside post office
181. 3 JulOne Piece docking at Round 1 amusement centers in both Japan and the USA
182. 3 JulGiant sleeping Snorlax coming to Yokohama as part of Pokémon Sleep Sleeping Faces fan event
183. 3 Jul7-Eleven Japan now sells a tiny dessert burger but is this convenience store sweet worth the hype?
184. 3 JulStudio Ghibli film towels with English dialogue lines are cinematically cool and cute[Photos]
185. 2 JulStarbucks Japan teams up with Converse Tokyo for a new limited-edition collection in honour of Tanabata
186. 2 JulSanrio collaborates with Sesame Street for adorable merch and sweets in Japan[Photos]
187. 2 JulStudio Ghibli brings Totoro Soot Sprites out of the anime shadows for a new bag and pouch collection
188. 2 JulJapan triples departure tax, foreign tourists and locals now must pay more to leave country
189. 2 JulSalomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
190. 2 Jul7-Eleven Japan has a lot of famous food, but its new burrito needs to be on your radar
191. 2 JulStudio Ghibli adds a new Jiji mini bag to its anime merchandise shop in Japan
192. 1 JulMos Burger opens fancy burger shop and bar in Ginza, Tokyo
193. 1 JulJapanese overnight sightseeing train returns for summer with ramen stops and ocean views
194. 1 JulJapan’s Mocchurin donuts declared too popular to exist by creator Mister Donut, will disappear soon
195. 1 JulStudio Ghibli mini towels add anime flair to a Japanese cultural tradition
196. 1 JulJapan’s Pokémon mailboxes saved from removal with last-minute extension on final day
197. 1 JulJapanese convenience store coffees are now bigger than ever, thanks to the new “Deka Drink” trend
198. 1 JulJapan’s new pettably fuzzy cat-shaped earbud chargers meow to let you know their status[Video]

June 2026

1. 30 JunWhy you shouldn’t feel guilty about using manga for studying and the top series for learning
2. 30 JunSleep at Hoshinoya Nara Prison, one of the most unique hotels in Japan
3. 30 JunLive-action Persona adaptation to be produced by Netflix, probably not set in Japan
4. 30 JunWe try out the joys of Japan’s kakuuchi wine vending machine
5. 30 JunSpeed trap camera stolen from Saitama Police while in use
6. 30 JunTokyo has only two barley tea makers, and we visited one to see how mugicha is made
7. 30 JunNew live-action Pokémon adaptation announced for Pokémon Unite
8. 29 JunStudio Ghibli combines anime and craftsmanship in new Totoro and Jiji Gobelin tapestry bags
9. 29 JunSanrio Character Poll announces winners, Hello Kitty absent from top 10 in many countries
10. 29 JunMt Fuji installs new emergency shelters ahead of the 2026 climbing season
11. 29 JunLive-action Spirited Away stage play announces world tour with first-ever U.S. and Canadian dates
12. 29 JunHere’s what Shibuya’s famous scramble intersection looked like after the Japan vs. Sweden match
13. 29 JunInternational fugitive Carlos Ghosn says he’d be best person to head Nissan now
14. 29 JunJapan’s Mos Burger goes super-premium for summer with eel burgers that require pre-orders
15. 28 JunTaco Spaghetti appears in Japan, and our taco fan rushes to try it[Taste test]
16. 28 JunBlind Tokyo commuter explains the easiest place for him to stand while riding the train
17. 28 JunBeautiful new dangling Totoro socks let the Ghibli mascot sway with every step[Photos]
18. 27 JunKrispy Kreme Japan releases new fruit doughnuts…that taste better cold
19. 27 JunJapanese man’s gross conveyor belt sushi social media prank video gets him a 500,000-yen fine
20. 27 JunTesting Japan’s latest food hack trend: Adding instant corn soup powder to popcorn[Taste test]
21. 27 JunPikachu brings electric style to brand-new Pokémon G-Shock watch featuring every stater trio
22. 26 JunStarbucks Japan releases three new peach drinks, but the real star isn’t the Frappuccino
23. 26 JunThe adorable, delicious joy of the Totoro cream puff gift box[Taste test]
24. 26 JunTokyo cops arrest foreigner for suspected visa violation, don’t know what new residence cards look like
25. 26 JunStarbucks Japan reopens Shinkansen platform store after redesigning it for speed
26. 26 JunNintendo’s Animal Crossing crosses over to Baskin-Robbins Japan with special ice cream and merch
27. 26 JunMarried Japanese man must pay 4.6 million yen after faking being single and impregnating partner
28. 25 JunJapanese theme park adding Immersive Death Game with a “bomb collar” you have to wear
29. 25 JunOver a billion yen in smuggled gold found inside sex dolls by Japanese investigators
30. 25 JunFamily Mart Japan installs red-eyed “Monster Wolf” to keep bears away from convenience store
31. 25 JunTKG Debate: What’s the best way to eat Japan’s beloved raw egg comfort dish?
32. 25 JunTotoro Soot Sprites are here to help keep your organized as adorable paper clips[Photos]
33. 25 JunWill we eat the gyoza or our words at this all-you-can-eat dumpling challenge?
34. 24 Jun7-Eleven Japan now has Seven Cafe tea machines…but can they convert a coffee drinker?
35. 24 JunDragon Quest’s next quest is a journey to Yoshinoya for awesome Slime toy meals[Photos]
36. 24 JunJapan’s Yellow Shinkansen to be retired, last chances to ride it come with eye-popping prices
37. 24 Jun“Alcohol is the best medicine” removed from Japanese government website
38. 24 Jun7-Eleven Japan’s new sweets burger is a mouthwatering philosophical debate
39. 24 JunPrivate Shinkansen Supreme Class Cabin pricing, start date, and details announced by Japan Railways
40. 23 JunHatsune Miku successfully wraps Miku Expo 2026 North America tour with 100,000 attendees
41. 23 JunJapan launches first overnight Shinkansen bullet train between Tokyo and Osaka this summer
42. 23 JunNearly half of Pokémon hot spring’s statues have been damaged less than two months after opening
43. 23 JunJapan opens shrine for plush toys in Kyoto, offering memorial rites and a resting place for remains
44. 23 JunForeign tourist arrested in Japan after drifting in museum parking lot[Video]
45. 23 JunStarbucks Japan creates special drink bottle bags, adorable stickers for all 47 prefectures[Pics]
46. 22 JunEnjoy the world’s oldest gyoza chain hidden just outside Shinjuku Station
47. 22 JunCheap Japanese sandwich hack: Popular cafe’s 21-cent white bread offcuts will really up your game
48. 22 JunStarbucks Japan sells Valencia Flavoured Syrup, and here are four ways to use it this summer
49. 22 JunJapan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
50. 22 JunBeat the heat with chilled Iekei ramen from Yokohama Iekei Ramen Ichikakuya
51. 22 JunKits to make battle tops out of pure candy coming soon in Japan
52. 21 Jun“Phantom Egg Shop” opens in Japan, with a dozen rare Japanese varieties
53. 21 JunJapanese merry-go-round has heartwarming backstory, is one of the best rides in Japan
54. 21 Jun7-Eleven Japan vs Family Mart: Who has the biggest convenience store cookie?
55. 20 JunWe invent ice slurry somen to combat the extreme Japanese summer heat【SoraKitchen】
56. 20 JunJapanese sweets brand creates new drinkable Cigare and we’re totally here for it
57. 20 JunGinza Happo: One of Tokyo’s best all-you-can-eat seafood restaurants is an extreme buffet affair
58. 20 JunHarajuku Custom Icees come to help Tokyo’s Takeshita Street stay cute and cool this summer
59. 20 Jun100-meter tall Hello Kitty artwork appearing on Japanese Ferris wheel, jumbo Pompompurin nearby
60. 19 JunPokémon coming to Japan’s highway rest stops with exclusive merch and stamp rally this summer
61. 19 JunNew adorable Osaka foodie destination, Chiikawa Bakery Osaka, opening soon with crazy ramen bread
62. 19 JunJapanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
63. 19 JunStudio Ghibli releases new anime character fans to keep fans looking and feeling cool this summer
64. 19 JunSuspected Japanese ice cream cartel under investigation for price-fixing
65. 19 Jun7-Eleven Japan to start selling Vietnamese banh mi sandwiches this summer
66. 19 JunAll-you-can-eat cheese restaurant in Tokyo is a hidden gem not many people know about
67. 19 JunStarbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino, tea and soda drinks for summer
68. 19 JunTokyo has a cafe that prohibits talking inside, and here’s why it’s awesome
69. 18 JunThat time when we fowled out while fighting our feathered friends
70. 18 JunGama Land, the weird Japanese amusement park celebrating toads, is now like a ghost town
71. 18 Jun7-Eleven Japan debuts new black-and-white rice ball packaging…but is it because of a naphtha shortage?
72. 18 JunStudio Ghibli adds new My Neighbour Totoro music box to its anime merchandise store in Japan
73. 18 JunFukuoka schools struggling to get kids to switch from milk to tea in lunches
74. 18 JunJapanese sweets shop sells an ohagi so exquisite it sells out by noon
75. 18 JunLawson Japan releases a crazy new product to remind us it’s not just famous for convenience store food
76. 18 JunJapan’s Pikachu and Eevee Pokémon mailboxes to be removed at end of month
77. 17 JunShouting “Hakata Salt!”, the number four track in Japanese nationwide karaoke ranking
78. 17 JunFamily Mart’s new Gyoza Dog proves Japanese convenience store food hits different
79. 17 JunStudio Ghibli turns anime characters into “Friendly Bags” for merchandise range in Japan
80. 17 JunSizzling on a hot plate?! American sushi rolls break all the rules at this Japanese restaurant
81. 17 JunKiki’s Delivery Service to be adapted to live-action series by BBC, Studio Ghibli not involved
82. 17 JunLawson upsizes convenience store food for a limited time with two must-try Japanese meals
83. 17 JunStarbucks Japan releases new limited-edition summer drinks…and a pastry for dunking
84. 17 JunNew research reveals that the key to efficient memorization may be in exhaling
85. 16 JunThese rare eggs cost more than a typical meal in Japan but are they really that special?
86. 16 JunJapanese bento shop touches hearts by selling super cheap boxed lunches for around a dollar
87. 16 JunForget Tokyo go-karts – there’s a new way to sightsee on four wheels in Japan
88. 16 JunAbandoned pirate pleasure ship sinking south of Tokyo Bay, city orders destruction
89. 16 JunJapanese soccer fans show excellent manners as World Cup opens[Pics, video]
90. 16 JunStudio Ghibli adds My Neighbour Totoro futon bedding to its anime store in Japan
91. 16 JunStudio Ghibli store Donguri Republic announces opening of first-ever store in America
92. 16 JunReinvented traditional Japanese hearths may be coming to a restaurant near you
93. 16 JunJapan’s Pokémon Slowpoke Train goes on hiatus, but a mini version could be yours to own
94. 16 JunJapanese Sakuranbo Mochi goes viral online with millions of views, but is it worth the hype?
95. 15 JunWhen is miso ramen not miso ramen? When it’s the new ramen at one of Japan’s top beef bowl chains
96. 15 JunJapanese university welcomes birth of baby deer on campus, president waives entrance exam[Videos]
97. 15 JunMos Burger adds Kandy Tea Milk to the menu and Japanese social media is here for it
98. 15 JunTokyo’s life-size Gundam is getting a new look before its end-of-summer removal
99. 15 Jun300-tonne hose washes up on Japanese shore
100. 15 JunJapan now has “edible cat fur” for people who really love felines
101. 15 Jun7-Eleven’s new green tea rice ball and sweets are only available in Japan’s top tea-growing area
102. 15 JunPachinko machines get new life and become big hit in Japanese assisted care facility
103. 14 Jun7-Eleven Japan releases new “mix-and-drink” matcha latte… that comes with a risk of choking
104. 14 JunUniversal Studios Japan is giving Frieren anime fans the chance to make unforgettable memories.
105. 14 Jun7-Eleven Japan has a new Creamy Iced Cafe Latte that’s a hit on social media
106. 14 JunSanrio Hotel Floria isn’t actually a hotel, but it’s still a must visit for fans traveling in Tokyo
107. 13 JunLawson transforms convenience store food with massive katsu burger and an insane curry bread
108. 13 JunLuxury houseplant fraud leads to arrest of Takamatsu man
109. 13 JunStarbucks Japan releases special limited-edition summer drinks… at only 30 stores
110. 13 JunTwo of Kyoto’s famous temples tackle streetside trash with solar-powered trash cans
111. 12 JunNew Japanese overnight train coming to connect Tokyo with Tohoku in sleep-travel style
112. 12 Jun7-Eleven Japan joins the craze for Korean Gamja Cheese Balls
113. 12 JunSuper Mario Galaxy Happy Meal toys now available at McDonald’s Japan
114. 12 JunDate handsome cockroaches in a new dating sim from one of Japan’s leading pest control companies
115. 12 JunBears appear at one of Kyoto Prefecture’s most popular tourist spots[Video]
116. 12 JunJapan’s cheap beef bowl chain goes upscale with Matsuya Premium, but is it worth the higher price?
117. 12 JunDragon Quest King Slime eye drops fly off shelves in less than a day
118. 11 JunAnne Hathaway creates PR frenzy in Japan after mentioning Tottori in Devil Wears Prada interview
119. 11 Jun7-Eleven Japan reinvents convenience store fruit sandwiches with new salty pink sakura peach variety
120. 11 JunEast Japan Railway announces plans to abolish magnetic-strip tickets
121. 11 JunTrigun Legacy Cafe coming to two Japanese cities this summer to salute series’ original form
122. 11 JunStarbucks Japan releases new “torori” drinks exclusive to 7-Eleven convenience stores
123. 11 JunShakey’s Japan creates matcha mochi, Kyoto fish, and Kansai Chili Con Carne pizzas
124. 10 JunPump yourself up with Yokohama’s new extravagant Cool Fuel ice cream
125. 10 JunBurger King Japan offering all-you-can-eat quad-burgers, whoever eats the most gets more in December
126. 10 Jun7-Eleven Japan releases a chocolate chip sandwich… that tastes like ice cream
127. 10 JunThis shop combines traditional Japanese sweets with…mayonnaise?!?[Taste test]
128. 10 JunStarbucks adds new Fruit Gummy sweets to stores in Japan
129. 10 JunGun found in Japanese convenience store restroom, traced to forgetful on-duty cop
130. 9 JunNew Square Enix Cafe reveals Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest, Nier, and Fullmetal Alchemist menu items
131. 9 JunShinto shrine’s night sky firefly sweets are Japan’s newest breathtaking, mouthwatering desserts.
132. 9 JunFamily Mart commits “reverse fraud” in new Giant All-Star Festival, and we couldn’t be happier
133. 9 JunRetro fashion magazines from Tokyo’s street market remind Mr. Sato of a special gift from his dad
134. 9 JunGodiva melts minds by releasing a new corn chocolate drink in Japan
135. 9 JunOrder a cocktail, support a senior with Shinjuku Day Service Mojito at a handful of businesses
136. 8 JunNew Tokyo sweets shop offers 648 different mochi ice cream dumpling combinations
137. 8 JunFukushima City on edge as resourceful and violent bear still not found
138. 8 JunBody of missing American college student found in Kyoto mountains
139. 8 JunJapan’s cheap beef bowl chain Matsuya opens gourmet Premium Matsuya with Kobe beef…inside Matsuya
140. 7 JunColour Hunting: The hot new street photography trend changing how we see Japan
141. 7 JunJapanese rice cooker recipe gives us a tasty new way to enjoy vegetables and wieners
142. 7 JunJapan Railways partners with Overwatch, heroes hit the Shinkansen for bullet train collaboration
143. 6 JunGhibli’s No Face continues to demonstrate his generous character growth by dispensing soy sauce
144. 6 JunWith hot sweaty Shibuya summer on the way, free sodium tablets to be given out in downtown Tokyo
145. 6 JunA Japanese toast sandwich remix: The toasted rice rice ball[SoraKitchen]
146. 5 JunJapan Post’s mail carriers are getting some cool upgrades, but packages might be a little late
147. 5 JunJapanese high school closes its cafeteria, replaces it with a 7-Eleven convenience store
148. 5 JunCup Noodle hamster wheel is the new adorable pet toy animal lovers in Japan want[Video]
149. 5 JunAmerican college student missing in Kyoto, last seen by family one week ago
150. 5 JunJapanese convenience store challenge is only for those with extreme tastes
151. 5 JunDragon Quest Slimes appear on Baskin-Robbins ice cream cakes in Japan, Critical Hit flavor debuts
152. 4 JunLawson opens a new mini supermarket, and the lucky bags can essentially stock your kitchen
153. 4 JunStudio Ghibli adds new range of neckties to its anime merchandise store in Japan
154. 4 JunJapan’s sticker wars are reaching a breaking point, even for enthusiasts
155. 4 JunEven at twice regular Daiso price, this handy item is still great for summer travel in Japan
156. 4 JunVideo of man spraying liquid on conveyor belt sushi leads to arrest in Japan
157. 4 JunTokyo’s Pokémon Cafe reopens this month with brand-new sweets and Pikachu show
158. 3 JunJapanese convenience store shows us how to dress for the rainy season
159. 3 JunTourists brave Typhoon Jangmi to queue at two famous sites in Tokyo
160. 3 Jun7-Eleven Japan adds a new watermelon smoothie to its convenience stores…but is it worth the hype?
161. 3 JunKyoto public junior high school becomes first in Japan with a hoodie school uniform
162. 3 JunJapanese government postpones proposals to restrict real estate purchases by foreigners
163. 3 JunStarbucks Japan releases first-ever muscat-flavoured chilled cup drink
164. 2 JunStarbucks Japan has a mesh bag so cute it’s a sell-out hit
165. 2 JunNew littering fine now being enforced in some of Tokyo’s most heavily touristed areas
166. 2 JunStarbucks Japan unveils new Frappuccino showcasing “mottainai” culture
167. 2 JunWhat’s it like to join Tokyo’s walking-and-talking-with-strangers club for a day?
168. 2 JunArt exhibition coming to Tokyo this month brings the cute, scary, and weird to ukiyo-e
169. 2 JunThe best yakiniku restaurant menu items to order if you’re surrounded by lovey-dovey couples
170. 1 JunUniqlo reveals third round of massive 100-year-anniversary manga T-shirts for Jump’s Shueisha
171. 1 JunStudy shows that regularly watching sports reduces risk of depression among the elderly
172. 1 JunPokémon Center Mega Tokyo to remain closed for the summer following stabbing incident
173. 1 JunAnd now, a crazy-looking way to stay cool this summer, from Japan’s crazy gadget company
174. 1 JunExtra-cute Sea Animal crepes come to Japan’s cafe chain born from a sweet fashion brand
175. 1 JunBeautiful Ghibli anime uchiwa fans are like little posters you can use to keep yourself cool

May 2026

1. 31 MayKrispy Kreme releases a new Doughwich… at only one store in Japan
2. 31 MayNew official Ghibli anime food cookbook will teach you how to make Ponyo’s ramen and more
3. 31 MayWhat’s up with the Ghibli Park photo and video ban?
4. 30 MayOsaka is hosting a “hentai” event, but it’s probably not what you think
5. 30 MayJapan’s cafe that won’t let you go home until you solve a puzzle is opening in Osaka’s canal district
6. 30 MayStarbucks Japan has a problem with its sell-out breakfast that might annoy solo diners
7. 30 MayStudio Ghibli still doesn’t allow its anime to be streamed online in Japan, and here’s why
8. 29 MayGigantic gacha machine appears in Tokyo department store for capsule toy celebration
9. 29 MayStarbucks Japan releases a new limited-edition Frappuccino inspired by espresso affogato
10. 29 MayPikachu cakes and other adorable Pokémon 30th anniversary food coming to Tokyo luxury hotel
11. 29 MayJapan’s adorable pudding chick becomes a transit card mascot
12. 28 MayJapanese convenience store Lawson launches new “mini supermarket” chain, L Minimart
13. 28 MayAnother side of Kyoto – The prefecture’s top 10 “road stations” for traveling foodies
14. 28 MaySushi Pizza surprises diners in one of the best food destinations in Japan
15. 28 May133-year-old Japanese company’s cookies go beyond matcha with dashi and shichimi flavors
16. 27 MayMr. Sato takes a walk on Tokyo’s American-style street to get some American/Japanese ice cream
17. 27 MayThe Japan Burger Championship 2026 in Yokohama next month is the ultimate battle of the beef
18. 27 MayTokyo’s insane Garlic Ramen is a meal, and an aroma, you’ll never forget[Taste test]
19. 27 MaySame name tops lists of most popular dog and cat names in Japan, and there’s probably a reason why
20. 27 MayOwn a piece of anime history with U-Treasure’s Astro Boy gold miniature figure
21. 26 MayTokyo restaurant offers lunches for less than 1 U.S. cent…if you’re good enough at rock-paper-scissors
22. 26 MayGovernment says 5.7 trillion yen of Japanese media was pirated last year, thinks AI could help
23. 26 MayWhat makes the Starbucks Japan chocolate terrine so popular?
24. 26 MayJapan’s real-world Pokémon hot spring’s first photos are here![Photos]
25. 25 MayKFC Japan’s “The American Burgers” include a pile of guilt
26. 25 MayJapanese government to allow desecration of flags on kids’ meals
27. 25 MayTwo new Sailor Moon art manhole covers are coming to Usagi’s real-world Tokyo neighborhood
28. 25 MayKrispy Kreme releases new limited-edition fox doughnuts at only four stores in Japan
29. 24 MayUsed chopsticks upgraded from “waste” to “valuable material” by Kawasaki City thanks to ChopValue
30. 24 MayGundam teams up with 300-year-old daruma maker for wood-carved anime mecha figures[Photos]
31. 24 MayTokyo’s new extra-expensive ramen restaurant is dividing opinions, so we tried a bowl
32. 23 MayBizarre Japanese vending machine sells “Peace and Equality” and “Angels and Demons”
33. 23 MayJapan’s instant ramen snack theme park features an athletic course even adults can enjoy
34. 23 MayPizza Hut Japan’s drinkable curry pizza is here – Is it all we dreamed it would be?[Taste test]
35. 22 MayMan in Japan calls in bomb threat because he doesn’t want to go to his own work farewell party
36. 22 MayMemorial bell inside Hiroshima’s Peace Park has been silenced, but for a sweet reason
37. 22 MayJapanese temple burns to the ground, fire burning inside for 1,200 years unharmed
38. 22 MayPokémon Company to require Japanese government ID cards for some online Pokémon card purchases
39. 21 MayKrispy Kreme Japan is bringing two special donuts to the most-forgotten big city in the country
40. 21 MayJapanese vending machine find introduces us to a new drink you can’t get anywhere else
41. 21 May7-Eleven Japan releases their second lineup of upsized foods from a muffin to bukkake soba
42. 21 MaySuper! Eel Bread takes Japanese sushi into uncharted territory
43. 21 MayMcDonald’s Japan adds curry French fry flavor, regional-taste burgers to its menu with Gotochi Mac
44. 21 MayStarbucks Japan hoping fans will go bananas for its new mottainai banana affogato Frappuccino
45. 20 MayThe story of our reporter P.K. Sanjun’s heart attack
46. 20 MayJapan’s izakaya pubs closing at record pace, failing to attract foreign tourists
47. 20 MayStarbucks Japan has a secret breakfast set…and a hack for when it sells out
48. 20 MayDo Bare Feet of a Gorilla slides really make your legs slimmer?
49. 20 May7-Eleven Japan adds macaroni cheese sandwiches to its convenience store food range
50. 20 MayJapan has a new cute and clever sunblock for cat lovers
51. 19 MayYou’ll never win cash or prizes or cash at this Tokyo pachinko parlor, and that’s why it’s so cool
52. 19 MaySuspected yakuza member arrested for having frequent flyer mile account
53. 19 MayThe Pokémon anime studio’s next project is a Scooby-Doo anime, Yokoso Scooby-Doo
54. 19 MayMcDonald’s Japan’s new Chiikawa Happy Meal figures are here![Photos]
55. 19 MayThe Mandalorian and Grogu film inspires a new set of Ginza Cozy Corner mini cakes and more
56. 19 MayMister Donut’s beyond super soft and chewy beyond mochi mochi donuts have returned
57. 18 MaySix towering historical warrior floats will grace Fukui’s Mikuni Festival for three days
58. 18 MayStudio Ghibli adds mini pillows and massive mats to its anime merchandise store in Japan
59. 18 MaySelf-proclaimed Americans arrested for breaking into Punch the monkey’s Japanese zoo habitat
60. 18 MayKanji ice cream becomes a sell-out hit in Japan
61. 18 MayThis Tokyo Station sweets sensation sells out daily, but we finally got our hands on it
62. 18 MayShochu maker on remote Japanese island plays music as its spirits age, flavor varies by genre
63. 17 MayChoc mint ice cream season hits Japan with a spectacular drinkable ice cream from Tully’s
64. 17 MayBaskin-Robbins Japan’s 2026 popularity poll results are in and the champion flavor is crowned
65. 16 May7-Eleven Japan now sells canned water, but does funky packaging mean funky flavor?[Taste test]
66. 16 MayThe top 12 incomprehensible school rules, as chosen by high school students
67. 16 MayLet’s hike a Japanese mountain (that isn’t Mt. Fuji) – Mt. Tsukuba[Photos]
68. 16 MayHundreds of rose bushes in bloom at Tokyo’s off-the-beaten-path, next-to-the-tracks flower street
69. 15 MayStudio Ghibli’s president is leaving the company. Will it change how they make anime?
70. 15 MayTokyo’s life-size Gundam anime mecha statue will be removed this summer
71. 15 May161-year-old Kyoto confectionary maker releases new edible Pokémon lineup
72. 15 May7-Eleven Japan is releasing Greedy chocolate chip and whipped cream sandwiches
73. 14 MaySaltiest ramen in Japan? Ikebukuro White goes viral for crazy salt levels
74. 14 MayNintendo reveals live-action Legend of Zelda movie is coming sooner than we’d thought
75. 14 May7-Eleven Japan upsizes popular products like egg sando and pork ramen but how big are they really?
76. 14 MayLive-action Princess Mononoke stage cast appears in costume for first time[Video]
77. 14 MayNow you can carry the unnerving terror and beauty of Noh masks with you with new pouches from Japan
78. 13 MayIchiraku Ramen-inspired ramen sets from Naruto anime pay homage to Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura
79. 13 MayMan tells Nintendo HQ “I’m going to blow you all the hell up,” gets arrested by Kyoto cops
80. 13 May“They’ve got be kidding me.” – Mayor in Japan fed up with off-season Mt. Fuji hikers needing rescue
81. 13 May7-Eleven Japan now has ramen machines…but only at 41 stores
82. 13 MayNew bounty system starts in Japan, rewards reports of illegal employment of foreigners
83. 13 MayHuge display of drones and fireworks together coming to Osaka this June
84. 12 MayWar in Iran causing dark development for potato chip packages in Japan
85. 12 MayAkira creator opens his own anime studio, is recruiting artists even without Japanese fluency
86. 12 MayPokémon retro black-and-white Game Boy art T-shirts are on the way from Uniqlo[Photos]
87. 12 MayStarbucks Japan adds a new Frappuccino and Milk to the menu, but are they worth the calories?
88. 12 MayJapan’s largest online resale site banning scalper sales of McDonald’s new anime Happy Meal toys
89. 11 MayDon’t miss the Tokyo Tower City Light Fantasia ~Summer Landscape 2026~ event during your travels
90. 11 MayPizza Hut now sells curry pizza in Japan
91. 11 MayThe 3 best secret places to eat a cheap One Coin lunch in Shinjuku
92. 11 MayDr Pepper knockoff Mr Popper is a cult drink in Japan, but does it taste like the real thing?
93. 10 MayStarbucks Japan releases two new “chunky” drinks… and matching gel designs for our nails
94. 10 MayMt. Fuji hot spring inn gets even more beautiful after dark with Firefly Festival
95. 10 MayJapan releases new ramen sandwiches… that don’t taste like ramen
96. 9 MayMcDonald’s Japan hack: Make a Chicken Tatsuta in five minutes anywhere in the world
97. 9 MayPolice cracking down on outdoor seating in Tokyo’s liveliest street market neighborhood[Video]
98. 9 MayThis train station bento boxed lunch shop has been in business for nearly 100 years
99. 8 MayThis historical Kyoto zen garden is hosting a guitar and beatbox concert
100. 8 MayNintendo’s Super Mario throws out first pitch at professional baseball game in Japan[Video]
101. 8 MayA letter from our reporter’s deceased mother arrives at just the right time
102. 8 MayJapan now has gyoza doughnuts, and they taste like no other doughnut we’ve tried before
103. 8 MaySqueezy Tanuki Testicle toys once again appear in Japanese gacha machines
104. 7 MayWoman in Japan breaks into home of complete stranger just to slap him in the face
105. 7 MayJapanese criminals are now using crabs to hunt for burglary targets
106. 7 MayFinal Fantasy VII’s Tifa’s bar pops up in real-world Tokyo, and we stop by for drinks[Photos]
107. 7 MayWe turn to a shady Amazon Japan gadget to try to stop Tokyo crows from stealing our hangers
108. 7 MayZunda Shake vending machine lets you taste samurai culture in milkshake form
109. 7 MayDoes one of Japan’s favorite chocolate brands work with the Pringles chocolate hack?
110. 6 MayDoes the Fukuryumon Chinese restaurant in Koenji offer the best lunch deal in Tokyo?
111. 6 MayJapanese Pokémon card shop grabs scissors as part of its plan to keep scalpers away
112. 6 MayWe sent two Japanese elementary school kids on a Mother’s Day shopping mission at a 100 yen store
113. 6 MayHoly Fungus Mud Volleyball is Japan’s most filthily beautifying bacteria event of the summer!
114. 6 MayJapan’s rice warehouse stockpile rate hits record high as consumers, restaurants reject high prices
115. 6 MayFinal Fantasy Chocobo cookies have galloped into Tokyo’s Square Enix pop-up shop
116. 5 MayArt Fire Festival lights up the night at a unique venue in the mountains of Japan
117. 5 MayForeign tourist needs ambulance to pick him up at Mt. Fuji after hiking closed trail
118. 5 MayLooney Tunes is now an adorable anime series with Looney Tunes Gokko[Videos]
119. 5 MayShogun Cultural Experiences merges a walking tour, sweets, and the music of traditional Japan
120. 5 MaySeaweed bread is one of the most unusual baked goods in all of Japan
121. 5 MayIs Mister Donut’s all-you-can-eat Donut Buffet still worth it?
122. 4 MayJapanese hair salons going bankrupt in record numbers
123. 4 MayUniqlo’s high-end sunglasses are a fashion minefield for anyone who isn’t Mr. Sato
124. 4 MayPolice in Osaka file charges against resident for serial pigeon/crow feeding
125. 4 MayBeard Papa goes beyond just matcha with its new premium green tea cream puffs
126. 4 MayEating cheap sushi in a narrow building in Tokyo is an adventure for bold diners
127. 4 MayHayao Miyazaki’s Whisper of the Heart concept art revealed in new Ghibli illustration book
128. 3 MaySamurai Coffee: Try Edo period coffee once enjoyed by Japanese warriors
129. 3 MayThe average age of Japan’s hikikomori shut-ins is getting older, survey shows
130. 2 MayStudio Ghibli releases crystal glass paperweights featuring Totoro and the Catbus
131. 2 MaySega opening 65th anniversary store in downtotn Tokyo with deep-cut game merch
132. 2 MayViral tweet suggests Japanese convenience store ripping off customers with donuts, so we investigate
133. 2 MayLipton releases… Pudding Milk Tea in Japan?!?
134. 1 MayShinto shrine will bless your bike helmet and give you a sacred bike helmet stamp
135. 1 MayBandai cancels gacha/blind-buy system for anime cosmetics, will let fans choose what they buy
136. 1 MayRetro-style Evangelion T-shirts coming to Uniqlo sister brand GU[Photos]
137. 1 MayOnly five branches of Japan’s beef bowl giant Matsuya serve milk shakes, but how do they taste?
138. 1 MayJapan’s Mister Donut Japan tries its hand at Taiwanese-style street food donuts

April 2026

1. 30 AprPolice in Japan summoned to deal with bank intruder…who is also a deer[Video]
2. 30 AprLive-action Ghibli Princess Mononoke stage play tickets are now on sale
3. 30 AprJapan enters Golden Week vacation period, survey shows one in three plan to ride it out at home
4. 30 AprStudio Ghibli releases new anime keychains that are like miniature figurines
5. 30 AprJapan’s new Pokémon jackets give you the look and powers of the Kanto starter trio
6. 29 AprWar in Iran threatening Japan’s pudding production
7. 29 AprTokyo store makes you to pass a quiz in order to buy Pokémon cards as part of anti-scalper policy
8. 29 AprDorayaki from 89-year-old Japanese confectionery shop is one of the best sweets hidden in Tokyo
9. 29 AprAn interview with Evangelion’s composer, Shiro Sagisu
10. 29 AprMake-them-yourself Pokémon frappes arrive at Japanese convenience stores, can be mixed at home too
11. 29 AprFinnish design brand Iittala partners with Pokémon for a golden first collaborative tableware set
12. 28 AprSecond-generation sumo burger coming to Burger King Japan with return of Baby Body Burger
13. 28 AprThis Mother’s Day, why not give the gift of a single, really expensive, never-picked mango?
14. 28 AprSanrio amusement park in Tokyo to host Psycho Game horror event this summer[Video]
15. 28 AprFinal Fantasy VII’s Sephiroth finds happiness in a canned cocktail[Video]
16. 28 AprNagasaki high school students collab with sweets veteran to release carrot nama dorayaki
17. 27 AprWhat are the worst things about living in the Japanese countryside?[Survey]
18. 27 AprJapanese sweets souvenirs don’t get more beautiful than this
19. 27 AprBrand-new Square Enix Cafe to open in Tokyo…and in Los Angeles too!
20. 27 AprJapanese film studio Toei announces first three video games from newly created Toei Games
21. 27 AprHello Kitty is now a transforming truck robot[Photos]
22. 27 AprJapanese convenience store brings rice balls back to 100 yen – Is this deal worth it?[Taste test]
23. 26 AprWhat’s up with the “mosquito buzz” noise at Shibuya Station?
24. 26 AprStudio Ghibli adds new anime character puppet socks to its merchandise store in Japan
25. 26 Apr7-Eleven Japan’s cooked-in-store takoyaki is here! How does it fare against the street food king?
26. 26 AprBurger King Japan launches King Fusion, and the possibilities are endless (and delicious)
27. 25 AprTsujihan sushi bowl restaurant goes viral with foreign tourists, but is it worth the hype?
28. 25 AprTokyo’s city hall changes dress code, workers now allowed to wear shorts[Videos]
29. 25 AprTifa’s Final Fantasy VII bar is going to pop up in real-world Tokyo
30. 24 AprBuddhist priest arrested for using health insurance card he found on the street
31. 24 AprJapanese convenience store gives away free ice cream with creative ad at Shinjuku Station
32. 24 AprG-cha & Ba-cha serves Japanese green tea with a heartwarming backstory in Tokyo
33. 24 AprHappy 40th birthday, Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, B, A!
34. 24 AprAnd now, a video of the voice of Dragon Ball’s Goku meeting the Emperor and Empress of Japan
35. 24 AprJapan is so hungry for workers it used up its five-year visa quota in record time
36. 24 AprThe dream of riding Final Fantasy Chocobos is coming to Tokyo VR centers
37. 23 AprStudio Ghibli launches huge new anime movie T-shirt collection with special design details
38. 23 AprNew Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
39. 23 AprBurger King offers every fast food franchisee in Japan 40M yen to jump ship and join them
40. 23 AprVisiting Tokyo’s newest unmanned Self Cafe in Shibuya
41. 22 AprShinkansen operator apologizes for three-minute delay because conductor was napping
42. 22 AprBurger King Japan’s All Heavy customisation hack may not be all it’s cracked up to be
43. 22 Apr7-Eleven Japan releases Uji matcha smoothies… but only at select locations
44. 22 AprHere’s the best spot to take in a panoramic view at “the most beautiful Starbucks in the world”
45. 21 AprStudio Ghibli announces first new short anime film in 8 years, exclusive to Ghibli Park
46. 21 AprJapanese government creates new word for cruelly hot summer days
47. 21 AprTemple with 600-year-old tree near busy Tokyo station is like a tranquil pocket dimension
48. 21 AprMr. Sato shares his own secret Ministop hack to help save the ailing convenience store
49. 20 AprJapan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
50. 20 AprImmerse yourself in TeamLab Yoro Valley’s outdoor nighttime art exhibition in Chiba’s wilderness
51. 20 AprNew Totoro carabiner pouches are ready to clip/tag along with you on all your adventures[Photos]
52. 20 AprJapanese-style afternoon tea in this Japanese manor house outside downtown Tokyo is something special
53. 19 AprHaikyu fan event lets you step onto the court, see what it’s like to play with the anime athletes
54. 19 AprStudio Ghibli croquettes not to eat, but to keep your stuff in, going on sale in Japan[Photos]
55. 18 AprPokémon hot spring footbath opening in Japan this spring
56. 18 AprAlmost all Japanese women say they dislike random gacha/blind-box toys in survey
57. 18 AprMove aside, convenience store egg sando – there’s a better version of the iconic sandwich in Japan
58. 18 AprJapan’s awesomely beautiful Alpen Route snow corridor is now open
59. 17 AprPolice in Japan warn of scam artists posing as cops to collect fines for breaking new bike rules
60. 17 AprBrand-new Pokémon manhole covers coming to help the recovery of a disaster-stricken part of Japan
61. 17 AprSoaking in glimmering water and the essence of prehistoric plants at a Hokkaido hot spring
62. 17 Apr61-year-old Japanese fisherman falls off boat and defies odds to swim to safety
63. 16 AprPikachu to cuddle with kimono-clad beauty on Tokyo street as part of flower art event
64. 16 AprMcDonald’s Japan now has Hello Kitty and Pompompurin drinks on the menu
65. 16 AprSanrio’s best-loved butthole defies physics in adorable sumo collaboration[Photos]
66. 16 Apr7-Eleven Japan now sells… hot takoyaki!
67. 16 AprKinotake Mother AI developed to study Japan’s divide between chocolate cookie snacks
68. 15 AprWhat’s inside Japan’s super-rare, super-popular Nara bread?
69. 15 AprJapan’s popular bead bonsai kit is as beautiful as it is gruelling to make
70. 15 AprInjuries on stairs in Tokyo highlight an overlooked design flaw
71. 15 AprJapanese Godzilla looks set to attack New York in teaser for Godzilla Minus Zero[Video]
72. 15 AprTurn a rainy forecast into a blast at the Naruto & Boruto Ninja Village May Rain Festival 2026
73. 15 AprFirst Shiba Inu police dog in Japan’s Gifu Prefecture now on duty[Video]
74. 14 AprFinal version of Sanrio: Beginning of Kawaii exhibition opens in Tokyo[Photos]
75. 14 AprJapan has new rules for bicycle riders, and these 14 things could get you a fine or a court date
76. 14 AprJapanese sandals dyed with real Uji matcha are here to whisk you off your feet
77. 14 AprJapanese bento shop sells croquettes for 13 cents, but are they any good?
78. 14 AprNo, that’s not French bread, it’s Japan’s crazy-big gobo!
79. 13 AprJapanese government wants overseas anime market to roughly triple in 10 years, but are they crazy?
80. 13 AprYoshinoya invites you to give the gift of beef bowls this Mother’s Day
81. 13 AprFading Tokyo – Horikiri Station, the Arakawa River, and Kinpachi-sensei[Walking course]
82. 13 AprWisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
83. 13 AprStarbucks Japan releases FIVE new Frappuccinos in a day, and we try them all in 90 minutes
84. 13 AprJapan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
85. 12 AprJapanese trains in Sapporo might be better than those in Tokyo, thanks to one special feature
86. 12 AprMr. Sato discovers his inner beaver with a 16-inch chocolate “twig” at Tokyo Station
87. 12 AprDowntown Tokyo’s meaty monster Kaibutsu ramen will challenge your stomach, thrill your taste buds
88. 11 AprLawson convenience store at popular tourist site is one of the most unusual in Japan
89. 11 AprPokémon store character meet-and-greet events to resume in May
90. 11 AprDrink vending machines disappearing in Japan as number drops to lowest in 30 years
91. 10 AprStudio Ghibli celebrates the magic of movie theaters with short video, Hayao Miyazaki illustration
92. 10 AprPringles Chocolate, but with a Japanese twist, is the snack hack you should be trying right now
93. 10 AprHowl’s Moving Castle’s scene-stealing dog is here to clean your home as a plushie mop
94. 10 AprKrispy Kreme Japan giving free donuts with morning drink purchases at all branches, maybe forever
95. 10 Apr30 Pikachus want to share a Tokyo hotel room with you that has separate Grass, Water, Fire spaces
96. 10 AprJapanese politician arrested on charges of accepting bribes to reduce number of monkeys in park
97. 9 AprMt. Fuji decorated with a 500,000-flower pink carpet is Japan’s ultimate spring view
98. 9 AprNew Travelling Bento pouches turn your luggage into a Japanese lunch box
99. 9 AprMcDonald’s and Gundam team up for customized anime mecha and fried chicken sandwiches[Video]
100. 9 AprDoes a long line mean a sweeter deal? We compare two sweets from a Hokkaido food fair【Taste test】
101. 9 AprFamily Mart unveils new Japanese bread that elevates convenience store food to mocchiri levels
102. 9 AprHäagen-Dazs releases new Green Tea sandwich in Japan for a limited time
103. 8 AprSchoolkids learn life skills through shopping field trips at street markets in Kochi Prefecture
104. 8 AprJapanese manhole lid raises eyebrows with fertility god symbol that looks like… well, you know
105. 8 AprForeign man arrested for walking on Shinkansen tracks, claims he was on the run from yakuza
106. 8 AprMan bites woman at cherry blossom park in Japan, dies shortly after
107. 8 AprNew 7-Eleven sandwich goes viral in Japan, but is it everything it’s cracked up to be?
108. 8 AprHow to take your home ramen to the next level by making your own chashu pork in a frying pan
109. 7 AprDeer that appeared in downtown Osaka gets a new home, a new name, and a lot of snacks[Video]
110. 7 AprFamous koi ponds overwhelmed with tourists throwing thousands of coins in them
111. 7 AprPeanuts and Coke becomes a viral hit in Japan, but is it a trend worth joining?
112. 7 AprMcDonald’s Japan adds new Hello Kitty and Pompompurin drinks to the menu for a limited time
113. 7 AprNew Japanese KitKats come in sakura flavour, with poetic symbolism for success
114. 7 Apr7-Eleven Japan’s new baked-in-store sweet treat is only available in three parts of the country
115. 6 AprJapan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
116. 6 AprJapan named most sleep-deprived country for fourth year in a row, according to survey
117. 6 AprSailor Moon’s Artemis is part of the Artemis II NASA mission control team[Video]
118. 6 AprYou can assemble a well-balanced team of Pokémon, them eat them, thanks to Japanese cake chain
119. 6 AprJapan’s full-facemask Ninja Parka still lets you eat ice cream[Photos]
120. 6 AprAnimal Crossing plushie pouch towels and cozy socks show up at Family Mart convenience stores
121. 5 AprStarbucks Japan closing only Shinkansen platform branch for popularity-triggered renovations
122. 5 AprBeautiful Ghibli earrings allow you to finally reunite two of the studio’s star-crossed lovers
123. 4 AprCan a downtown Tokyo super sento bathhouse beat a hotel for a one-night stay?
124. 4 AprLicca-chan dolls released in North America for first time in nearly 60 years
125. 4 AprTwo food hacks take Japan’s convenience store fried chicken to amazing new sandwich heights
126. 4 AprA Kyoto factory vending machine sells gourmet mystery meals at bargain prices
127. 3 AprStarbucks Japan unveils epic Frappuccino hunt with five to find in new Star birthday campaign
128. 3 AprPokémon Centers across Japan cancel April events after stabbing in Tokyo
129. 3 AprChrono Trigger comes to Japan’s capsule toy gacha machines
130. 3 AprTokyo teahouse serves up a sakura matcha dessert you won’t find anywhere else
131. 3 AprPokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
132. 2 AprJapan’s prime minister exchanges Dragon Ball kamehamehas with president of France[Video]
133. 2 AprHayao Miyazaki gifts autographed Ghibli anime cel to president of France[Photo]
134. 2 AprTokyo turns its phone booths into free Wi-Fi hotspots, and here’s how to use them
135. 2 AprFading Tokyo – Searching for signs of the Showa era as local neighborhoods evolve[Photos]
136. 2 AprThe Almost All Lettuce Burger from Dom Dom Burger really lives up to its name
137. 2 AprNintendo’s Animal Crossing crosses over into Japanese convenience store cosmetics line[Photos]
138. 1 AprNew cafe in trendy Tokyo neighborhood is staffed by grannies and grandpas with average age of 73
139. 1 AprWhich Gundam is the favorite for fans in different countries? Gundam election announces results
140. 1 AprStudio Ghibli adds new My Neighbour Totoro 2026 Corn Gift to its anime store for Mother’s Day
141. 1 AprFloat all of your troubles away with a boat ride down the Shimanto River in Kochi Prefecture
142. 1 AprThree ways going to see cherry blossoms alone is better than seeing them with other people

March 2026

1. 31 MarTotoro Fund line of beautiful artwork and apparel lets you help the real-world Totoro Forest
2. 31 MarJapan now has stricter requirements for foreigners applying for citizenship
3. 31 MarPokémon lacquerware series expands for Year of the Horse with new handcrafted design[Video]
4. 31 MarUni Donuts are pretty in pink for a limited-time spring sakuramochi flavor
5. 31 MarTokyo’s best museum for foreign travelers finally reopens after being closed for four years
6. 30 MarTokyo subway and almost all Tokyo train lines now accepting credit card tap payments
7. 30 MarMcDonald’s Japan releases “intense” McPork burger, prompts Michelin chef to create jam hack
8. 30 MarJapanese masturbatory aid and insect repellent companies collab on a new product
9. 30 MarWhy is Yoshinoya called Yoshinoya?
10. 30 Mar50-year-old instant noodle recipe is back from the past in Japan for a limited time[Taste test]
11. 30 MarThis standing sushi bar inside a Tokyo train station blew us away with its speedy deliciousness
12. 29 MarJapan now sells…sake made with moth poop?!?
13. 29 MarStudio Ghibli releases new anime character socks to put a magical spring in your step
14. 29 MarJapan’s favorite sandwich pockets now come with sakura filling, but how do they taste?[Taste test]
15. 29 MarStarbucks Japan has a secret coffee press service that not many people know about
16. 28 MarPicturesque Tokyo park plays host to millions of flowers and soap bubbles this spring
17. 28 MarRumors say this is Japan’s very best McDonald’s branch, but what makes it special?[Taste test]
18. 28 MarThis upcycled Kyoto train cafe is the ultimate kawaii spring experience
19. 27 MarFamous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]
20. 27 MarStarbucks Japan adds new Sencha Matcha Tea Frappuccino to its menu, but only at 28 locations
21. 27 MarFinal Fantasy invites you to adventure in Fukushima with Fukushima Fantasy Chocobo fun[Video]
22. 27 MarJapan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]
23. 27 MarFatal stabbing at Pokémon Center in Tokyo reignites concern over rising stalking cases in Japan
24. 27 MarTotoro and Calcifer become little light-up lanterns for Ghibli-style excursions or at-home decor
25. 26 MarJapanese politicians working to promote plastic model culture as a cultural asset
26. 26 MarJapanese kindness restores our faith in humanity after a highway bus accident in Tokyo
27. 26 MarStarbucks Japan has a new Frappuccino on the menu, but does it really taste like a cream puff?
28. 26 MarUniqlo announces new T-shirts for One Piece, Naruto and more for manga publisher’s 100th birthday
29. 26 MarHow many doughnuts can you pack in a Mister Donut all-you-can-pack deal?
30. 26 MarDeer are appearing in Osaka City, may have wandered there from Nara[Video]
31. 25 MarJapan’s ministry of economy reminds us to “use sound judgment” before buying toilet paper
32. 25 MarKrispy Kreme releases Super Mario doughnuts in Japan for a limited time
33. 25 Mar“Online streamer” tops dream job poll for young Japanese kids, older kids not so interested
34. 25 MarRamen restaurant in top Tokyo tourist neighborhood skips price gouging, but how does it taste?
35. 25 MarDrinkable pixels: 7-Eleven Japan creates new convenience store juice with “pixels” inside
36. 25 MarCan you make butter by running with a pouch filled with cream? Let’s find out[Taste test]
37. 24 MarPublic restrooms in Osaka to get in-stall video screens with ads
38. 24 MarGhibli Museum building becomes a cuddly cushion
39. 24 Mar7-Eleven Japan releases a crazy new viral sandwich: Chocolate Sprinkles and Whipped Cream
40. 24 MarHere’s what you need to know before the 2026 Sanrio Character Ranking voting goes live
41. 24 MarStarbucks Japan adds exclusive limited-edition Frappuccino drinks to the menu for spring
42. 24 MarNissin Donbei to sell Classic line of instant udon and soba noodles for its 50th anniversary
43. 23 MarJapan now has a “for foreign tourists only” Mt. Fuji sightseeing train[Video]
44. 23 MarStudio Ghibli releases the My Neighbour Totoro tea caddy, with a magical self-closing lid
45. 23 MarA secluded British mansion in Chiba is a hidden holy land for afternoon tea lovers
46. 23 MarFake police phone scam also highlights dumb stereotype about how foreigners speak Japanese[Video]
47. 23 MarSecret Starbucks sausage customization sparks sweet joy in Japan[Taste test]
48. 23 MarCreate a tiny Ghibli anime world on your bookshelf with new miniature papercraft art kits
49. 22 MarJapan’s Mos Burger creates tempura rice bowl bento boxed lunch burger, but not for its menu
50. 22 MarAre 500-yen noodles at Akihabara Ramen Center a great find or cheap miss?
51. 22 MarAwesome Ghibli Howl’s Moving Castle figure is also a puzzle and an organizer[Photos]
52. 22 MarWhy you should be adding Calpis to your beer in Japan
53. 21 MarNew cherry blossom party picnic essential: This super-handy folding cardboard table
54. 21 MarJapan’s Mos Burger discontinues old teriyaki burger and rolls out new recipe, but is it as good?
55. 21 MarStudio Ghibli unveils new Rollbahn notebook in honour of Howl’s Moving Castle
56. 21 Mar10 awesome Tokyo cherry blossom festivals and experiences for this year’s sakura season
57. 20 MarMister Donut wows matcha lovers in Japan with new Dora Matcha doughnuts
58. 20 MarNine amazing off-the-beaten-path cherry blossom spots in Japan for yaezakura and shidarezakura
59. 20 MarStunning central Japan wisteria festival is like a purple fantasy straight out of a Ghibli movie
60. 20 MarGodiva now makes tofu in Japan, and sakura chocolate tofu too![Taste test]
61. 20 MarHow much is Amazon Japan’s lowest-rated currency calculator worth in yen?
62. 20 MarStudio Ghibli adds new anime tumblers to its cool streetwear brand in Japan
63. 19 MarThis Japanese vending machine doesn’t sell drinks, but you can buy drinks through it
64. 19 MarWe go looking for a monkey mommy like Punch with Amazon Japan’s ultra low-rated orangutang plushy
65. 19 MarTokyo government organizes food truck event to clear out delinquent/homeless teen gathering area
66. 19 MarPeko-chan Milky Time Cafe opens in Chiba and we go to check out all of the pastries and merch
67. 19 MarStudio Ghibli director Hayao Miyazaki releases new artworks, still wants to make movies
68. 19 MarWhen will the cherry blossoms reach full bloom in Japan this year?[Forecast]
69. 18 MarExpo 2025 mascot Myaku-Myaku to release tastefully erotic photo book
70. 18 MarStudio Ghibli director Hayao Miyazaki is still drawing…and walking in his Vans
71. 18 MarUniversal Studios’ Sailor Moon theme park attraction is finally coming to America
72. 18 MarJapanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
73. 18 MarSuper Mario teams up with JR Kyushu for the perfect power-up steamed bun snack
74. 18 MarMcDonald’s Japan celebrates spring with… a Strawberry Shortcake Pie?!?
75. 17 MarCherry blossoms begin blooming in Japan with record-early starts for sakura season
76. 17 MarUmamusume food and drinks dash into real world at Family Mart convenience stores[Taste test]
77. 17 MarJapanese government says country needs more women’s room toilets to meet modern society’s needs
78. 17 MarStarbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
79. 17 MarEastern Japan high school graduating class’s wallets robbed during ceremony
80. 17 MarPizza Hut Japan’s new ie-kei ramen pizza is here and weird, but is it tasty too? [Taste test]
81. 16 MarMajor Tokyo subway line shut down by in-train mobile battery fire
82. 16 MarAre Japanese convenience store sandwiches scamming us with their fillings?
83. 16 MarJapanese man drives truck that’s on fire directly to fire station, drops flaming potatoes[Videos]
84. 16 MarJapan’s budget chain restaurant Saizeriya might just be the perfect first date location
85. 16 MarThe next time you’re feeling stressed out, you could relax on a Pokémon Psyduck chair from Japan
86. 16 Mar7-Eleven Japan’s giant fried chicken skewer would be too big to eat, so it’s really for cuddling
87. 15 MarWe asked our Japanese team of writers how they deal with seasonal allergies in Japan
88. 15 MarTrain station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
89. 15 MarJapanese convenience store sandwiches get extra protection from new business backpack
90. 15 MarStudio Ghibli adds new Mother’s Day gift sets to its anime collection in Japan
91. 14 MarStarbucks Japan opens new Kyoto store in Place of Scenic Beauty
92. 14 MarSushi Push Pops aiming to be Japan’s newest sakura season snack sensation
93. 14 MarStarbucks Japan’s Cream Puff Frappuccino is here! Did it make Friday the 13th lucky? [Taste test]
94. 13 MarNumber of foreigners living in Japan has grown 50 percent in four years, hits historic high
95. 13 MarKomachi Shokudo: Japanese mum’s-style cooking for breakfast, lunch and dinner in Tokyo
96. 13 MarIs this Japan’s most extreme cherry blossom viewing? Leap, cycle and climb through 2,500 sakura
97. 13 MarThe top 10 graduation songs in Japan as chosen by current Japanese high school students
98. 13 MarVirtual idol Hatsune Miku redesigned with look that adds new elements and brings back old ones
99. 13 MarAs rumors swirl of 7-Eleven shorting customers on rice ball fillings, we check on their sujiko
100. 12 MarGiant pipe mysteriously rises up through street in downtown Osaka
101. 12 MarEvery Japanese pro baseball team to play with Mario question block bases once this year
102. 12 MarMan in Japan falls into hole with a bear in it
103. 12 MarHeinz Japan finds its perfect pitchman: Pokémon’s Pikachu!
104. 12 MarHäagen-Dazs Japan releases new ASMR ice cream called “Rocky Crunchy!”
105. 12 MarReal-life Professor Oak? Pokémon Company recruiting PhD holders in science and agriculture
106. 11 Mar15 years after Tohoku tsunami, Japan’s free disaster phone message number is important to remember
107. 11 MarYu-Gi-Oh rights holders address use of anime clip in White House post on attack on Iran
108. 11 MarCowboy Bebop creator’s Samurai Champloo anime to become live-action series from Hollywood studio
109. 11 MarIs Daiso’s microwave Japanese rolled omelet maker worth your time and money? [Taste test]
110. 11 MarStarbucks Japan opens new cafe and art gallery in top Tokyo tourist neighbourhood
111. 10 MarStudio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
112. 10 MarExclusive Super Mario Yoshi figure to be given away at Dodgers Stadium [Video]
113. 10 MarJapan has a cute Pokémon menu you probably don’t know about yet
114. 10 MarPizza Hut Japan teams up with creator of one of the country’s best kinds of ramen for ramen pizza
115. 9 MarPikachu and Eevee become handmade Lladró porcelain sculptures to celebrate Pokémon’s 30th birthday
116. 9 MarNine great places to see spring flowers in Japan, as chosen by travelers (with almost no sakura)
117. 9 MarIs this Tokyo government office still one of the best places in the city for a curry rice lunch?
118. 9 MarTokyo bus line praised for handling of driver’s mental health
119. 8 MarIs Japan’s Crab-shaped Cup Ramen Timer worth the hype?
120. 8 MarStarbucks Japan offers special sakura picnics at Reserve Roastery Tokyo beside Meguro River
121. 7 MarSpring pollen may be damaging your skin, so what’s Japan’s best moisturizing anti-hay fever spray?
122. 7 MarStarbucks Japan releases a new Cream Puff Frappuccino for a limited time
123. 7 MarCherry blossom Totoro cake brings pink sakura sweetness to Tokyo this White Day
124. 7 MarWhich of Japan’s main coffee shop chains is best for a caffeine-free life?
125. 6 MarSilicone testicle covers banned from Japanese sauna following cups being left behind and on shelves
126. 6 MarMister Donut unveils new sakura doughnuts for cherry blossom season 2026
127. 6 MarJapan asked to vote on what to officially call insanely hot days
128. 6 MarJapanese government planning higher ticket prices for foreign tourists at Tokyo National Museum
129. 6 MarStudio Ghibli now sells Ursula’s backpack from Kiki’s Delivery Service at its anime shop in Japan
130. 5 MarVisiting Japan’s one-and-only, and only-for-a-limited-time, Dragon Ball noodle restaurant[Photos]
131. 5 Mar7-Eleven Japan now sells bagels…cooked in bamboo steamers
132. 5 MarOver four billion yen in lost cash was found in Tokyo last year, setting new record
133. 5 MarJapan’s Human Washing Machine pods are now on sale for home use, and they’re not cheap
134. 5 MarStarbucks Japan has a limited-edition candle…that hasn’t sold out yet
135. 4 MarTaste-testing Japan’s real-world Dragon Balls and Senzu Beans at Marugame Seimen
136. 4 MarJapan’s cherry blossom season predicted to start earlier than we’d thought, especially in Tokyo
137. 4 MarLive-action One Piece’s Luffy teaches Sesame Street’s Elmo a Japanese word for friendship[Video]
138. 4 MarIs Starbucks Japan’s new Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino suitable for adults?
139. 4 MarOne Piece creator has hidden secret of anime treasure’s identity in chest at bottom of real-world ocean
140. 3 MarSakuramochi festival sweetens things up at Tokyo’s Seibu Ikebukuro this season
141. 3 MarIs Tokyo Station’s startlingly expensive wagyu bento boxed lunch worth its high price?[Taste test]
142. 3 MarStarbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026
143. 3 MarKyoto raises hotel accommodation tax to fight overtourism, travelers could pay up to 10 times more
144. 3 MarSakura Festival in Chiyoda mixes illuminations, boats, music, and Rilakkuma in the heart of Tokyo
145. 2 MarChance to play Tetris on a massive staircase in Kyoto Station coming in March
146. 2 MarLawson adds doughnuts to its convenience store sweets range, but are they good enough to go viral?
147. 2 MarViral Japanese cheesecake from Osaka has a lesser known rival called Aunt Wanda
148. 1 MarThe best Hobonichi diaries, covers and stationery for 2026
149. 1 MarRamen for 99 yen?!? Best value-for-money noodles found at unlikely chain in Japan
150. 1 MarPotama serves up epic rice balls like no other, and there’s only one store in Tokyo
151. 1 MarFamily Mart ups its convenience store food game with special burger from beef bowl chain Matsuya

February 2026

1. 28 FebCan we be just like Shohei Ohtani on a budget with a Hello Kitty cap?
2. 28 FebJapan’s craziest burger chain takes menchi katsu to new extreme levels
3. 28 FebEevee returns to Japan’s famous Tokyo Banana, bundled with a cute tote bag
4. 27 FebThe fish in rural Fukui that rivals Japan’s most auspicious sea bream
5. 27 FebDrift ice in Japan is a disappearing winter miracle you need to see now
6. 27 FebTokyo street sweets: The must-snack treats of Nakano’s Refutei
7. 27 FebWhich convenience store onigiri rice balls are the most popular? Survey reveals surprising results
8. 26 FebJapan Extreme Budget Travel! A trip from Tokyo to Izumo for just 30,000 yen [Part 2]
9. 26 FebJapanese restaurant chain serves Dragon Ball donuts and Senzu Beans this spring
10. 26 FebStarbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
11. 26 FebJapanese drugstore sells onigiri at pre-stupid era prices, but how do they compare to 7-Eleven?
12. 25 FebJapan Extreme Budget Travel! A trip from Tokyo to Izumo for just 30,000 yen [Part 1]
13. 25 Feb7-Eleven Japan’s sakura sweets season is underway right now!
14. 25 FebJapan has only one airport named after a samurai, so let’s check out Kochi Ryoma【Photos】
15. 25 FebGhibli’s Kiki’s Delivery Service returns to theaters with first-ever IMAX screenings and remaster
16. 24 FebFamily Mart’s Shibuya Cat Street shop hosts first-ever rescue cat photo exhibition for Cat Day
17. 24 FebDevelopment of Puyo Puyo puzzle game for use in nursing homes underway
18. 24 FebSurvey finds that one in five high schoolers don’t know who music legend Masaharu Fukuyama is
19. 24 FebSaitama is home to the best strawberries in Japan that you’ve probably never even heard of
20. 23 FebHighest Starbucks in Japan set to open this spring in the Tokyo sky
21. 23 FebSkyscraper sized Pokémon cards to appear in Tokyo all year long in Tocho projection mapping event
22. 23 FebAdorable Totoro acorn key holders come with a special guest hidden inside[Photos]
23. 23 FebYakuzen ramen restaurant in Tokyo is very different to a yakuza ramen restaurant
24. 23 FebOsaka establishes first designated smoking area in Dotonbori canal district to fight “overtourism”
25. 22 FebTokyo Skytree turns pink for the cherry blossom season
26. 22 FebHey, 2020s kids! The ’90s have a sticker picture message waiting for you in Tokyo
27. 21 FebBurning through cash just to throw things away tops list of headaches when moving house in Japan
28. 21 FebLast chance coming up for amazing east Japan for all-you-can-ride Shinkansen-inclusive train pass
29. 21 Feb566 million yen in gold bars donated to Japanese city’s water bureau
30. 20 FebStarbucks Japan complexly raises prices, will now charge for takeout bags
31. 20 FebShibuya Station’s Hachiko Gate and Yamanote Line stairway locations change next month
32. 20 FebJapan’s new “Cunte” contact lenses aren’t pronounced like you’re probably thinking they are
33. 20 FebStarbucks Japan adds new sakura Frappuccino and cherry blossom drinks to the menu
34. 19 FebCherry blossom mochi lattes arrive at Japan’s Pronto cafe chain to start sakura sweets season
35. 19 FebJapan just had its first same-month foreign tourist decrease in four years
36. 19 FebThe 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
37. 19 FebJapanese zoo’s monkey bonds with Ikea stuffed orangutang following abandonment by mother[Video]
38. 19 FebNew service lets you turn manga pages into T-shirt designs, over 200 titles to choose from
39. 18 FebHow to make curry in a rice cooker with zero prep work and no water[Recipe]
40. 18 FebWe tried six Japanese burger chains’ coffee to test the state of fast food coffee in Japan[Taste test]
41. 18 FebJapanese potato chip Rubik’s Cubes coming soon
42. 18 FebCrazy-cheap Tokyo lunch: All-you-can-eat curry rice for 220 yen (US$1.40)!
43. 18 FebIs Sapporio’s Snow Festival awesome enough to be worth visiting even if you hate the snow? [Pics]
44. 17 FebJapan has trams that say “sorry” while they ride around town…but why?
45. 17 FebJapan’s bathhouse-themed bar replaces hot water with unlimited alcohol
46. 17 FebShizuoka hot springs town invites you to see one of the longest hina doll displays in Japan
47. 17 FebCute coffins now available at Tokyo’s coffin relaxation salon[Photos]
48. 17 FebThe other side of Shibuya Station has a great restaurant for trying tamagokakegohan
49. 16 FebPoop is in full bloom at the Unko Museums for cherry blossom season
50. 16 FebPlaying Switch 2 games with just one hand is possible thanks to Japanese peripheral maker
51. 16 FebSakura Totoro is here to get spring started early with adorable pouches and plushies
52. 16 FebFives places around Japan to appreciate the plum blossoms this season
53. 16 FebLegendary pie cafe Anna Miller’s finally returns to Tokyo after three-year absence
54. 16 FebNaruto and Converse team up for new line of shinobi sneakers[Photos]
55. 15 FebWhat’s up with the secret basement at this Japanese train station?
56. 15 FebNow is the time to visit one of Tokyo’s best off-the-beaten-path plum blossom gardens
57. 15 FebHere comes Japan’s newest fruit dessert sandwich: 7-Eleven’s purple Blueberry Sandwich!
58. 14 FebNew zombie ship sets sail in Japan, includes Shinkansen tickets and all-you-can-eat sushi
59. 14 FebIt’s illegal for yakuza to go to professional baseball games in Japan, Tokyo arrests remind us
60. 14 FebTokyo’s best ramen breakfast? Restaurant two minutes from Tokyo Station is a strong contender
61. 13 FebElderly Japan man arrested for stealing toilet, using it in his home for three months
62. 13 FebRoom 404: What happened when we stayed in an unlucky hotel room in Japan
63. 13 FebForeign tourists in Japan will get free Shinkansen tickets to promote regional tourism
64. 13 FebSuper-salty pizza sends six kids to the hospital in Japan, linguistics blamed
65. 13 FebCan you eat lunch in Tokyo for less than 500 yen?
66. 13 FebHow to make fancy matcha sake chocolates with just 15 minutes of real work【Recipe】
67. 12 FebAsakusa’s Yoi no Yoi bar crawl is one of Tokyo’s best local nights out
68. 12 FebStarbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
69. 12 FebStarbucks Japan unveils new sakura Frappuccino for cherry blossom season 2026
70. 12 FebIs a snow day the perfect day to beat the crowds at a popular ramen restaurant? [Experiment]
71. 12 FebSanrio changes Hello Kitty lead designer for first time in 46 years
72. 12 FebTesting Japan’s fluffy mayonnaise pancake cooking hack【SoraKitchen】
73. 11 FebFive amazing snow-view open-air Japanese hot springs in Hokkaido [Photos]
74. 11 FebStudio Ghibli adds new anime character badges to its streetwear shop in Japan
75. 11 FebPaying for prostitution isn’t illegal in Japan, but it could be soon
76. 11 FebSatisfy your sweet tooth with cheesecake and more all-you-can-eat sweets at Cheese Garden
77. 11 FebMcDonald’s Japan hack: What happens when you put an apple pie inside a Big Mac?
78. 11 FebOur reporter is willing to die on the pseudo-Italian restaurant Olive Hill
79. 10 FebMan in Japan takes four parakeets hostage in attempt to force woman to meet with him
80. 10 FebJapan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
81. 10 FebForeigners accounting for over 80 percent of off-course skiers needing rescue in Japan’s Hokkaido
82. 10 FebBlowfish-shaped fugu bento appears to celebrate Japan’s Blowfish Day [Taste test]
83. 10 FebJapan law lets you claim reward for finding lost property, man may have scammed it over 60 times
84. 10 FebNew Family Mart cinema opens inside Japanese airport
85. 9 FebMan arrested in Japan after leaving car in coin parking lot for six years, racking up three-million-yen bill
86. 9 FebCup Noodle maker Nissin teams up with thick-broth ramen chain for instant ramen rice[Taste test]
87. 9 FebHunter x Hunter teams up with Shimamura clothing chain for clothing and more treasures galore
88. 9 FebSwapping seats on Japan’s bullet trains is not allowed, Shinkansen operator says
89. 9 FebJapan has omurice chocolate, and the weirdest thing isn’t how it tastes
90. 9 FebLawson convenience stores sell a mega katsu sando, and there’s a hack to get it cheap in Japan
91. 8 FebA look back on 40 years of Japanese schools banning stuff
92. 8 FebJapan manners debate: Is it OK to put a Mister Donut donut back on the shelf after taking it?
93. 8 Feb7-Eleven Japan sells freshly baked pizzas…but are they any good?
94. 7 FebKrispy Kreme Japan’s sakura donuts are almost here!
95. 7 FebTake a trip to Japan’s Dododo Land, the most irritating place on Earth
96. 7 FebFamily Mart releases huge range of cute sweets for Cat Day in Japan
97. 7 FebDownloads of 39-year-old Guns N’ Roses song increase 12,166 percent thanks to Gundam
98. 6 FebJapan’s first all-matcha ramen restaurant is now open in Kyoto【Photos】
99. 6 FebA spotlight on Japanese singles figure skating: Jumping into the 2026 Olympics【Pt. II】
100. 6 FebA robot joins the team at a fast-food restaurant, but in an unlikely city in northern Japan
101. 6 FebRamen shop manager arrested for punching self in the face and pretending he was robbed
102. 6 FebHuge Evangelion Unit-01 head appearing in lights in Japan to celebrate anime’s 30th anniversary
103. 5 FebChocolate Totoro cream puffs and cakes coming to Japan’s Ghibli bakery for Valentine’s Day【Pics】
104. 5 FebMcDonald’s Japan partners with anime English teacher, but did they commit a cultural error?[Video]
105. 5 FebJapan’s most famous Mt. Fuji view park cancels cherry blossom festival because of overtourism
106. 5 FebAct of Japanese kindness touches one man’s heart, provides hope for elevator etiquette
107. 5 FebNaruto jerseys coming to Major Leage Baseball theme nights, Hello Kitty to take over a field
108. 4 FebThree beautiful places to see Japan’s plum blossoms after starting your day in downtown Tokyo
109. 4 FebIs China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting the lines at a popular Tokyo gyukatsu restaurant?
110. 4 FebHere comes a new katsudon: ice cream katsudon?!?
111. 4 FebStarbucks Japan releases new Chocolate Milk for Valentine’s Day
112. 4 FebJapan’s job-quitting service claims bosses contact it to try to make their employees quit
113. 3 FebCherry blossoms already blooming at Gap Japan with Sakura Collection lineup【Photos】
114. 3 FebThis gigantic judo dojo-sized hotel room will make you feel like royalty, but it’s disappearing soon
115. 3 FebCherry blossom forecasts map shows Japan’s OTHER sakura season is starting right now
116. 3 FebGhost in the Sheel goes traditional with Japanese porcelain Tachikoma robots, only 50 to be made
117. 3 FebHow to make a lucky sushi roll with KFC fried chicken skin【SoraKitchen】
118. 2 FebJapan has abolished advance deportation notifications to foreigners’ lawyers
119. 2 FebCherry blossom sake rice beer arriving in Japan well ahead of cherry blossom season, but how?
120. 2 FebTrouble making friends? Sticker collecting works surprisingly well
121. 2 FebKyoto planning surprise late-night inspections of Airbnb-style rentals to fight overtourism
122. 1 FebJapanese women sound off on their minimum height requirements for a husband【Survey】
123. 1 FebJapan has been tossing message-bearing coconuts into the ocean since the 1980s
124. 1 FebWhy you should visit Shizuoka, the green tea oasis in the middle of Japan’s golden route

January 2026

1. 31 JanJapanese movie theater chain’s popcorn earns highest Grand Prix quality certification
2. 31 JanYokai are descending upon Tokyo this spring in the latest immersive art experience
3. 31 Jan420 million yen in cash-filled suitcases stolen on Tokyo streets, incidents at Haneda and Hong Kong follow
4. 30 JanJapan’s suicides fall to lowest recorded number ever, but one demographic hits all-time high
5. 30 JanJapanese man gets drunk and falls asleep on Tokyo streets, then gets robbed by foreign national
6. 30 JanMorning-after pill finally available in Japan without a prescription, must be taken at pharmacy
7. 30 JanIs Starbucks Japan’s new extra-expensive Valentine’s Day espresso Frappuccino worth the price?
8. 29 JanJapan’s got a subscription service for pillows with or without plastic tubes inside
9. 29 JanNew Studio Ghibli stamps leave an impression on your stationery…and your heart
10. 29 JanJapan cherry blossom forecast update moves up sakura dates for many parts of the country
11. 29 JanAnd now, we eat a bear paw we bought in Japan’s Chiba Prefecture【Taste test】
12. 29 JanBacha Coffee opens in Japan…but is it worth the hype?
13. 29 JanDenny’s new Japanese parfait looks totally different depending on what angle you look at it from
14. 28 JanSpirited Away adds a dash of Ghibli beauty to hanafuda flower cards【Photos】
15. 28 JanA spotlight on Japanese singles figure skating: Sliding onto the World Stage【Pt. I】
16. 28 JanAnime isn’t like reality: Japanese police arrest man holding three knives, one in his mouth
17. 28 JanEscape from downtown Tokyo! How far from the city center can you get by rental bike in 8 hours?
18. 28 JanChinese government tells citizens to not travel to Japan during Chinese New Year
19. 28 JanHave the berry best vacay at one of these five strawberry-picking experiences in Japan
20. 27 JanJapan has a new bar just for people thinking about quitting their jobs, and the drinks are free
21. 27 JanStudio Ghibli turns My Neighbour Totoro characters into bag charms for everyday adventures
22. 27 JanStarbucks Japan releases a new Valentine’s Day Frappuccino…with a special dipping waffle cookie
23. 27 JanIf you haven’t tried an antenna shop in Japan, you’re missing out
24. 27 JanJapan’s Naruto theme park now offering real-world version of Minato’s kunai ninja weapon
25. 27 JanMan arrested in rural Japan on charges of leaving obscene DVDs in stores as gifts for “healthy men”
26. 26 JanStudio Ghibli releases Spirited Away bags in Japan, based on a mysterious festival
27. 26 JanJapan is in the grip of sticker fever and no one is safe, including us
28. 26 JanGhibli anime Uno and karuta card games a great way to have fun and maybe learn some Japanese【Pics】
29. 26 JanConvenience store onigiri rice balls become even more expensive…but are they worth it?
30. 26 JanJapanese young women reveal their top dealbreakers in a man【Survey】
31. 26 JanIkea Japan closing two downtown Tokyo flagship stores — Why couldn’t they make it in the big city?
32. 25 JanJapan’s newest (and craziest) energy drinks are energy cards you drink from【Pics】
33. 25 JanIs McDonald’s Japan’s Mushroom Mountain and Bamboo Shoot Village McFlurry worth the hype?
34. 25 JanWho is this mysterious large man who’s suddenly showing up on giant signs in Japan?
35. 25 JanKyoto shrine holding beautiful after-dark cherry blossom event this spring
36. 24 JanLawson convenience stores selling drinkable mapo tofu, spicy meat and tofu
37. 24 JanEast Japan’s 10 most magical winter scenery experiences, as chosen by travelers
38. 24 JanChina’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning looks to be affecting tourist crowds on Miyajima
39. 24 JanNew interactive Pokémon attraction coming to Universal Studios Japan
40. 23 JanStudio Ghibli adds new Kiki’s Delivery Service notebook and ceramic cake case to stores in Japan
41. 23 JanThese are Tokyo train lines people most want to live along【Survey】
42. 23 JanArchfiend Hello Kitty appears as Sanrio launches new team-up with Yu-Gi-Oh【Pics】
43. 23 JanAll Lotteria fast food restaurants in Japan to close by the end of March
44. 23 JanMister Donut releases a secret Godiva doughnut you won’t find in stores
45. 23 JanPokémon popcorn buckets coming to Japan’s first-ever permanent Pokémon theme park zone
46. 22 JanTokyo pub explicitly soft-bans customers older than 39 from entering
47. 22 JanStudio Ghibli releases new “komorebi” plush toys from Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away
48. 22 JanHeart/body-warming anime video is a beautiful love letter to family and miso soup【Video】
49. 22 JanTime to open the final Village Vanguard Luck Bag of 2026, the magical girl Red Lucky Bag
50. 21 JanDenny’s Japan created crazy split-in-half parfaits to target social media photo-snapping foodies
51. 21 JanBritish man arrested for biting Japanese police officer during shokumu shitsumon questioning
52. 21 JanStudio Ghibli adds anime aircraft from Laputa: Castle in the Sky to its merchandise shop in Japan
53. 21 JanPokémon menstrual pads appear in Japan【Photos】
54. 21 JanJapanese city to deploy anti-bear drones against ursine adversaries, stages adorable demo【Vid】
55. 20 JanSanrio’s Little Twin Stars shine brightly in new themed rooms at the Keio Plaza Hotel Hachioji
56. 20 JanRacing into our stomachs this winter are motorcycle fuel tank-shaped bento
57. 20 JanWe traveled almost 400 miles to get popcorn from this ninja machine, but do we regret it?【Photos】
58. 20 JanJapan releases first official sakura cherry blossom forecast for 2026
59. 20 JanUmamusume anime cosplayers make news in U.S. for their pro football fandom【Video】
60. 19 JanJapan’s Valentine’s chocolate Slimes let you say you say I love you like the Dragon Quest mascot
61. 19 Jan36th Annual International Snowball Fight Competition to be held in Uonuma this February
62. 19 JanPikachu’s chunky original design is back as a plus-sized plushie【Photos】
63. 19 JanBear meat noodles?!? Tokyo restaurant adds a new kind of niku soba to its menu【Taste test】
64. 18 JanJapanese vending machine serves up unique drinks at four Tokyo train stations
65. 18 JanVisiting Japan’s Gyarados Pokémon park in the city with a special connection to Magikarp【Photos】
66. 18 JanCanned cuteness as Hello Kitty and friends kick off Can Chara capsule toy line【Photos】
67. 17 JanDoes a poopy butthole translate to lottery-winning riches in Japan? The results are in!
68. 17 JanPoké Ball cakes here for limited but long time to celebrate Pokémon franchise’s 30th anniversary
69. 17 JanWhich Japanese beef bowl chain’s near-identical demon grater onioroshi ponzu gyudon is the best?
70. 16 JanMassive manga collaboration bringing 100 years of Shueisha manga to Uniqlo T-shirts【Photos】
71. 16 JanMajority of Japanese women in survey regret marrying their husband, but that’s only half the story
72. 16 JanThe Yellow Lucky Bag from Village Vanguard is so bad it may damage Japan-US relations
73. 16 JanMister Donut and Godiva continue their sweet sweets relationship with new treats on sale now in Japan
74. 16 JanJapan’s kid-friendly ski program is now selling Pikachu snowboards for a limited time only
75. 16 JanTotoro cream puffs and Catbus cookies are finally available in downtown Tokyo
76. 15 JanImmersive ukiyoe exhibition in Osaka adds some scented flair
77. 15 JanJapan’s foreign tourist numbers projected to fall for first time in years in 2026
78. 15 JanOne Piece teaming up with 5 NCAA basketball teams
79. 15 JanMcDonald’s Japan releases a Mushroom Mountain and Bamboo Shoot Village McFlurry
80. 15 JanAlmost exactly half of the new adults in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward are foreigners
81. 15 JanMan with face covered in tattoos admits to repeatedly headbutting Tokyo store clerk【Video】
82. 14 JanJapan’s Poképark Kanto Pokémon theme park area shows first attraction photos
83. 14 JanIs Starbucks Japan’s new Valentine’s Day Frappuccino worthy of your love?
84. 14 JanNew KitKat pizzas are coming to Pizza Hut Japan
85. 14 JanVillage Vanguard’s Blue Lucky Bag may have the most impressive piece of junk ever created
86. 14 JanWe try an unusual buffet of dishes made from wild game at a roadside stop in Chiba
87. 14 JanFewer ramen restaurants declare bankruptcy in Japan for first time in several years
88. 13 JanHokkaido has an Ice Festival that’s less famous than the Snow one, but beautiful in its own way
89. 13 JanStarbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
90. 13 JanWe followed Tokyo’s mystery walking map and ended up creating our own bar-hopping adventure
91. 13 JanVillage Vanguard tries to tickle us pink with a Pink Lucky Bag
92. 13 JanPokémon Lego kits are finally on their way!【Photos】
93. 13 JanTaste of spring coming this winter with sakura flower and leaf green tea and matcha from Ito En
94. 12 JanResearchers in Japan give mouse glowing sperm
95. 12 JanNew adults go wild at Seijinshiki Coming-of-Age ceremony in Kitakyushu, Japan 【Photos】
96. 12 JanBest practices for celebrating Coming of Age Day for those turning 18, 20, or both in Japan
97. 12 JanStarbucks Japan releases new popcorn Frappuccino at one special location
98. 12 JanJapanese women showing rebounding interest in giving Valentine’s Day chocolate【Survey】
99. 12 JanMan arrested for violating Japan’s anti-dueling law in downtown Tokyo
100. 11 JanStudio Ghibli’s kodama ready to leave the Princess Mononoke forest as a squeezable keychain【Pics】
101. 11 JanGiant hotel rooms in Osaka reflect the new non-niche face of travel in Japan.
102. 10 JanWhat’s inside Starbucks Japan’s fukubukuro lucky bag for 2026?
103. 10 JanHow lucky are the themed retro video game lucky bags from this shop in the Tokyo boonies?
104. 10 JanStarbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
105. 10 JanBamboo trees vandalized near Kyoto’s Fushimi Inari shrine, foreign graffiti prevalent
106. 9 JanSay hello to Japan’s new stationmaster cat!【Video】
107. 9 JanPrincess Mononoke magnets return just in time to treat yourself to awesome anime decorations
108. 9 JanJapan’s Valentine’s Day gets extra cute with the return of KitKat Heartful Bear【Photos】
109. 9 JanUmamusume anime girl plushie recalled for having parts she absolutely should not have【Pics】
110. 9 JanOur 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
111. 9 JanWe ate sushi made from Japan’s most expensive tuna ever【Taste test】
112. 8 Jan10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
113. 8 JanThis quiet forest cafe in Japan lets you read all day in the house of a famous author
114. 8 JanHere’s what our bachelor writers ate over the New Year’s holiday in Japan
115. 8 JanRamen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
116. 8 JanNearly one in ten young adults living in Japan isn’t ethnically Japanese, statistics show
117. 7 JanThings get heavy with the Gold Lucky Bag from Village Vanguard
118. 7 JanWhat makes a good boss in Japan? Workers sound off in survey
119. 7 JanTop Japanese cosplayer Enako returns to Comiket after 6 years, creates mayhem with admirers
120. 7 JanPrivate booths are coming to Japan’s Shinkansen bullet trains even sooner than we’d thought【Video】
121. 7 JanThe Purple Lucky Bag from Village Vanguard is an extra-large waste of money
122. 6 JanRakuten randomly offers 58 New Year’s osechi feasts in Japan, but did we get a star or a dud?
123. 6 JanTokyo fish market breaks New Year auction record as single fish sells for over 500 million yen【Vid】
124. 6 JanFour Shinto shrines to pray for love at in Japan to start the New Year
125. 6 JanMajority of Japanese mayors say foreign residents are essential but most see good and bad effects
126. 5 JanVillage Vanguard’s most expensive Black Lucky Bag sets an ominous tone for 2026
127. 5 JanShould you dip your cake in sake? One Japanese brewer says no, but actually yes【 Taste test】
128. 5 JanPlay games, learn, and get your fortune at Ginza’s limited-time Tsunaguu “Shrine of the Future”
129. 5 JanJapanese beef bowl chain Sukiya’s 2026 Smile Box lucky bag basically pays for itself
130. 4 JanWhat did Shibuya really look like after the crowds on New Year’s Day?
131. 4 JanCup Noodle tries an authentic Jiro-style ramen, but something’s not quite right
132. 3 JanThat time Seiji called JASRAC to ask why he didn’t get paid royalties for his song being on TV
133. 3 JanWe revisited Sweets Paradise after a decade to see if Japan’s dessert buffet still delivers
134. 2 JanHayao Miyazaki says Happy New Year to Studio Ghibli fans with new art for Year of the Horse
135. 2 JanThe best Starbucks Japan Frappuccinos we want to drink again in 2026
136. 2 JanHarajuku’s new permanent Tamagotchi shop is filled with cuteness and a surprising lack of poop
137. 2 JanPizza Hut Japan’s hot lucky bags are perfect for a New Year’s pizza party