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 enters Golden Week vacation period, survey shows one in three plan to ride it out at home
Japanese Pokémon card shop grabs scissors as part of its plan to keep scalpers away
Does one of Japan’s favorite chocolate brands work with the Pringles chocolate hack?
Japan’s rice warehouse stockpile rate hits record high as consumers, restaurants reject high prices
Does the Fukuryumon Chinese restaurant in Koenji offer the best lunch deal in Tokyo?
We sent two Japanese elementary school kids on a Mother’s Day shopping mission at a 100 yen store
Japanese hair salons going bankrupt in record numbers
The average age of Japan’s hikikomori shut-ins is getting older, survey shows
Holy Fungus Mud Volleyball is Japan’s most filthily beautifying bacteria event of the summer!
Foreign tourist needs ambulance to pick him up at Mt. Fuji after hiking closed trail
Japan’s new Pokémon jackets give you the look and powers of the Kanto starter trio
Studio Ghibli releases new anime keychains that are like miniature figurines
Studio Ghibli releases crystal glass paperweights featuring Totoro and the Catbus
Samurai Coffee: Try Edo period coffee once enjoyed by Japanese warriors
Retro-style Evangelion T-shirts coming to Uniqlo sister brand GU[Photos]
Sega opening 65th anniversary store in downtotn Tokyo with deep-cut game merch
Viral tweet suggests Japanese convenience store ripping off customers with donuts, so we investigate
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Brand-new Pokémon manhole covers coming to help the recovery of a disaster-stricken part of Japan
Japan’s awesomely beautiful Alpen Route snow corridor is now open
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
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
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
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】