As 2013 comes to a close, all of us at RocketNews24 have been taking time to reflect on the past 12 months. We’ve gone through a lot of changes as a site and staff and we’re all so grateful for our steadily growing readership. Most of all, we’re proud to have brought you an entire year’s worth of funny, interesting, and at times downright crazy news from Japan and Asia. Looking back, 2013 was our biggest year yet and we hope for your continued support of our small site of translator/writers who just can’t get enough of Japan.
Wishing you all a wonderful 2014 and thanks for being the best bunch of readers our humble site could ever hope for! Here’s to a wonderful new year filled with even more dancing Tokyo grannies, otter handshakes, and Mr. Sato adventures…and of course a bit of Japanese language and culture sprinkled in for good measure!
Love always and forever,
The RocketNews24 Team
Image: 58 Pic

Happy New Year from the RocketNews24 Team!
Happy New Year and thank you from RocketNews24!
Merry Christmas from RocketNews24!
Happy New Year from RocketNews24!
Happy New Year from RocketNews24!
Naturally brown-haired Osaka student sues government for forcing her to dye her hair black
Brand-new Pokémon park opens in Japan with larger-than-life-size Lapras【Photos】
Stay in a hotel in Japan where you can see a UFO
Hello Kitty learns sign language in newest friendship with Japanese artist
Studio Ghibli releases new Ursula’s blanket from Kiki’s Delivery Service
How to travel from Tokyo to Kyoto on the overnight bus and not lose your sanity
This is Japan’s, and the world’s, first capsule hotel, and you can still stay there
Unique inclined elevator in Japan leads to a town that inspired Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away
Site of Japan’s most famous samurai murder is now a Kyoto karaoke joint
Survey finds more than half of Japanese women’s nieces don’t call them “aunt”
Step into Japanese culture with Converse’s new Japan-exclusive shoes featuring gods, sushi style
Sanrio and Sonic the Hedgehog characters become fast friends with new plushie collection
Top Japanese baby names for 2025 feature flowers, colors, and a first-time-ever favorite for girls
Tokyo hotel lets you make your stay a Sanrio one with special My Melody and Kuromi rooms【Pics】
New Kyoto experience package lets you film epic samurai battles with your friends
Starbucks Japan releases new Christmas drink that can be topped with whipped cream
This Japanese restaurant chain’s triple-decker sushi bowls are a crazy feast for the eyes/stomach
Totoro fountain figurine recreates the sights and sounds of one of anime’s most memorable scenes
Studio Ghibli releases new “komorebi” plush toys to brighten your days
JR Hokkaido train driver in trouble for reading book about trains on stopped train
Human washing machine pods coming to Japanese hotels【Photos】
Studio Ghibli releases new anime tea and mugs in Japan
Japanese hotel chain’s new service: A bed and pajamas for otaku travelers’ plushies
Tokyo bento boxed lunch shop charges different prices depending on how heavy your laptop is
Studio Ghibli anime stoles are here to keep you warm with a range of famous characters
Japan has vending machines that put protective film on your phone for you — Here’s how to use them
Starbucks Japan unveils new Christmas Frappuccino and holiday drinks for 2025
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Possessing Harry Potter’s Sword of Godric Gryffindor is now illegal in Japan
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
The top 10 annoying foreign tourist behaviors on trains, as chosen by Japanese people【Survey】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
One of Japan’s most beautiful hot spring towns announces new limits on number of day trippers
Merry Christmas from everyone at RocketNews24!
Happy New Year from SoraNews24!
Happy New Year from SoraNews24!
Happy New Year from SoraNews24!
Merry Christmas from the RocketNews24 team!
Happy New Year from SoraNews24!
Happy New Year from SoraNews24!
Happy New Year from SoraNews24!
Happy New Year from SoraNews24!
RocketNews24 is going to Tokyo Game Show 2015!
RocketNews24 is now SoraNews24!
Share your photos with us! RocketNews24 is now accepting submissions for Pic of the Week
RocketNews24 goes to Tokyo Game Show 2016!
Halloween cosplay at the Pouch/RocketNews24 Japan offices – 2013 edition
Help choose RocketNews24’s “Cat of the Year 2016”
Announcing the winners of the RocketNews24 Pikachu ramen giveaway contest!
Leave a Reply