The evening of Nov. 3 had a big surprise for people in Japan: A big, bright meteor streaked across the sky, giving locals an absolutely stunning light show.
You can see the green and orange light of the meteor as it falls toward Earth. These colors are likely due to the presence of magnesium and sodium in the meteor itself that produce green and orange light, respectively, when subjected to extreme heat.
The celestial event took place over western Japan and was reported within a couple of hours of a series of US meteor sightings across the East coast.
In Japan, cameras at the Fukuoka airport caught this amazing footage:
And here’s an incredible shot taken from some people driving along the road.
YouTube (TamShin)
And another great look at the meteor came from an automated camera installed at the Hakata port. You can see the meteor streak by the Hakata Port Tower.
These light shows are likely rogue meteors from this month’s ongoing Taurid Meteor Shower.
Interesting fact about meteors falling to Earth is that Earth actually gains weight from meteor dust.
@SpagDoodle Yes. Earth gets heavier by several hundred tons (of meteor dust) per day.
— Neil deGrasse Tyson (@neiltyson) November 1, 2014
One of the hottest video games has some hilarious glitches
Breathtaking Meteor Shower Video Taken against Starry Winter’s Night in Nagano
‘LEAGUE OF LEGENDS’ FINALS: Meet the kids facing off in the biggest sporting event of the month
Mysterious fireball flies across the sky over Japan’s northern island of Hokkaido【Video】
The weird reason why video games are released on Tuesdays
Why you should be adding Calpis to your beer in Japan
We asked our Japanese team of writers how they deal with seasonal allergies in Japan
Japan’s Mos Burger creates tempura rice bowl bento boxed lunch burger, but not for its menu
Mister Donut wows matcha lovers in Japan with new Dora Matcha doughnuts
Awesome Ghibli Howl’s Moving Castle figure is also a puzzle and an organizer[Photos]
Create a tiny Ghibli anime world on your bookshelf with new miniature papercraft art kits
Japanese government says country needs more women’s room toilets to meet modern society’s needs
No school trip? No problem! Japanese students to go on a virtual school trip in Minecraft instead
Daiso has giant new branch in middle of Tokyo’s Shinjuku neighborhood (and another beneath it)
Flex and pose your way to fitness with the JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure exercise program!【Video】
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Cherry blossoms begin blooming in Japan with record-early starts for sakura season
Studio Ghibli adds new Mother’s Day gift sets to its anime collection in Japan
Tokyo government organizes food truck event to clear out delinquent/homeless teen gathering area
The next time you’re feeling stressed out, you could relax on a Pokémon Psyduck chair from Japan
Nine amazing off-the-beaten-path cherry blossom spots in Japan for yaezakura and shidarezakura
When will the cherry blossoms reach full bloom in Japan this year?[Forecast]
7-Eleven Japan’s giant fried chicken skewer would be too big to eat, so it’s really for cuddling
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
Nine great places to see spring flowers in Japan, as chosen by travelers (with almost no sakura)
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
Japan’s cherry blossom season predicted to start earlier than we’d thought, especially in Tokyo
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
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
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
People in Japan capture images of fireball plummeting towards earth in night sky【Video】
Where No Kitty Has Gone Before… Amazing Video From a Middle School Science Project
Amazing views of the solar storm aurora from Japan【Photos, videos】