Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, you have done us proud. Last week we asked you for your funny, cute, beautiful and inspiring photos from Japan and Asia, and by the beard of Mr. Sato did you provide!
Join us after the jump for our pic of the week, plus three honorable mentions!
Congratulations to Ratchawut Cherdchuvanit on winning our first ever Pic of the Week contest with this stunning photo of the 634-meter (2,080ft) Tokyo Skytree’s silhouette looming over Japan’s capital city. Great work, Ratchawut! May Mr. Sato’s blessings be upon you!
▼WINNER!▼

Honorable mentions
A huge thank you to everyone who sent us photos this week – the response was phenomenal. Please don’t be disheartened if your photo didn’t make it onto the site today, though; there are many weeks to come, so you’re still in with a chance!
In the meantime, check out three more entires that we were especially fond of this week.
Mystery in Hakone
A deer kiss in Nara
Pokébus in Towada City

Have a photo you’d like to share with the world? Well it just so happens that we’ll be running this contest every week. Click here for more info on how to enter next week’s contest!


Pic of the Week, Round 5: Winner!
Pic of the Week Round 2: WINNER!
Pic of the Week, Round 4: Winner!!
Pic of the Week Round 3: WINNER!
It’s time to vote for this week’s Pic of the Week!
Japan releases first official sakura cherry blossom forecast for 2026
Umamusume anime cosplayers make news in U.S. for their pro football fandom【Video】
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Pikachu’s chunky original design is back as a plus-sized plushie【Photos】
Giant 3-D anime boobs appear on giant 3-D video billboards in Japan【Video】
7-Eleven releases collaboration snack from Michelin-starred ramen restaurant and Baby Star Ramen
Believe it! Naruto live-action stage play returns, shows off huge new cast and costumes【Photos】
Studio Ghibli unveils new fluffy purses from films like My Neighbour Totoro and Spirited Away
Which Japanese beef bowl chain’s near-identical demon grater onioroshi ponzu gyudon is the best?
New line of skirts promises to give you the slim waist and long legs of an anime heroine 【Photos】
Massive manga collaboration bringing 100 years of Shueisha manga to Uniqlo T-shirts【Photos】
Visiting Japan’s Gyarados Pokémon park in the city with a special connection to Magikarp【Photos】
Majority of Japanese women in survey regret marrying their husband, but that’s only half the story
Totoro cream puffs and Catbus cookies are finally available in downtown Tokyo
Japan’s kid-friendly ski program is now selling Pikachu snowboards for a limited time only
Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
Japanese vending machine serves up unique drinks at four Tokyo train stations
McDonald’s Japan releases a Mushroom Mountain and Bamboo Shoot Village McFlurry
10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
Lacquerware supplier to emperor of Japan and Pokémon team up for new tableware
Japanese beef bowl chain Sukiya’s 2026 Smile Box lucky bag basically pays for itself
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
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】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
Pic of the Week: Hey you, it’s time to vote! 【Update: Poll now closed】
Share your photos with us! RocketNews24 is now accepting submissions for Pic of the Week
It’s time to vote, vote, vote for your favourite photo!
Winners of manga magazine beauty contest no longer appear in bikinis at awards ceremony
The weird and wonderful Quiz of the Week: Round 3
Quiz of the Week: Round 9 (It’s like a comb-over for your soul)
Quiz of the Week: Round 6 (Now made with the tears of sad children*)
Chiba ports become literal sea of garbage following last week’s severe flooding【Pics】
Honda Fit and Weekly Shonen Jump magazine create stunning Japanese itasha manga car【Pics】
It’s huge!! Win a copy of The Anime Encyclopedia 3rd Revised Edition! 【Contest closed】
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