Even the world’s biggest sandwich chain is getting in on Japan’s lucky bag retail tradition.
January, 2016 (Page 16)
When you work in a customer-facing role, you can expect to deal with some difficult people from time to time. Being hospitalized by one of them, however, should never be a concern…
What did we find in our 2016 Toys “R” Us lucky bags? Join us as we open both a “boys’ version” and a “girls’ version” bag!
Comiket isn’t just about anime—it caters to hardcore otaku of all varieties, as we quickly discovered during our most recent visit.
A research group from the Kyushu Institute of Technology have announced that they have successfully read certain words and letters from people’s minds without them saying anything.
Some universities try to recruit students by telling them about all the fun they’ll have there, but not this Tokyo institute of higher learning.
If we were this dog’s owner, we would be sure to keep our pet pooch securely on a leash during the upcoming Tokyo Olympics…
It seems we just can’t ring in the new year anymore without this cheering squad of Friezas! Is the Dragon Ball Z overlord actually…benevolent!?
Like a star athlete who just won a championship, video game heroine Lightning has followed up on saving the world of Final Fantasy XIII by landing an endorsement deal.
Since there’s no spot for the cat in the Chinese zodiac, this Japanese kitty turned to some cute cosplay to get in on the Year of the Monkey fun.
Because it’s not like it can choose itself, is it?
Admirers of the virtual female form are claiming victory as they point to the growing discrepancy in the view-count between promotional videos starring the bikini-clad vixens of Dead or Alive Xtreme and the battle-ready Princess Zelda of Hyrule Warriors Legends.
Beyond silly mistakes like wearing toilet slippers on tatami or forgetting to add “san” to someone’s name, what other things do foreigners unknowingly do to reduce their chances of living happily in Japan?
Yes, in Japan, even IKEA offers new year’s lucky bags — join us to find out what goodies were in their fukubukuro this year!
Japanese pop group Perfume and American band OK Go have teamed up to create a theme song for the new Japanese anime “Sushi Police”.
Why is this young man riding the horse bicycle around Bangkok? We have no idea, but we can’t stop watching this video!



















Japanese convenience store Lawson launches new “mini supermarket” chain, L Minimart
Japan’s adorable pudding chick becomes a transit card mascot
Starbucks Japan has a problem with its sell-out breakfast that might annoy solo diners
Pikachu cakes and other adorable Pokémon 30th anniversary food coming to Tokyo luxury hotel
Starbucks Japan releases a new limited-edition Frappuccino inspired by espresso affogato
Osaka is hosting a “hentai” event, but it’s probably not what you think
Japan’s cafe that won’t let you go home until you solve a puzzle is opening in Osaka’s canal district
Studio Ghibli still doesn’t allow its anime to be streamed online in Japan, and here’s why
Gigantic gacha machine appears in Tokyo department store for capsule toy celebration
Sushi Pizza surprises diners in one of the best food destinations in Japan
Japan’s real-world Pokémon hot spring’s first photos are here![Photos]
Tokyo’s new extra-expensive ramen restaurant is dividing opinions, so we tried a bowl
Gundam teams up with 300-year-old daruma maker for wood-carved anime mecha figures[Photos]
Krispy Kreme releases new limited-edition fox doughnuts at only four stores in Japan
The Japan Burger Championship 2026 in Yokohama next month is the ultimate battle of the beef
Mr. Sato takes a walk on Tokyo’s American-style street to get some American/Japanese ice cream
Japan’s instant ramen snack theme park features an athletic course even adults can enjoy
Two new Sailor Moon art manhole covers are coming to Usagi’s real-world Tokyo neighborhood
Tokyo’s life-size Gundam anime mecha statue will be removed this summer
The average age of Japan’s hikikomori shut-ins is getting older, survey shows
Ichiraku Ramen-inspired ramen sets from Naruto anime pay homage to Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura
Japan enters Golden Week vacation period, survey shows one in three plan to ride it out at home
Kanji ice cream becomes a sell-out hit in Japan
Japan’s new Pokémon jackets give you the look and powers of the Kanto starter trio
Japan now has gyoza doughnuts, and they taste like no other doughnut we’ve tried before
Japan has a new cute and clever sunblock for cat lovers
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
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Osaka is hosting a “hentai” event, but it’s probably not what you think
Japan’s cafe that won’t let you go home until you solve a puzzle is opening in Osaka’s canal district
Studio Ghibli still doesn’t allow its anime to be streamed online in Japan, and here’s why
Gigantic gacha machine appears in Tokyo department store for capsule toy celebration
Sushi Pizza surprises diners in one of the best food destinations in Japan
Mr. Sato takes a walk on Tokyo’s American-style street to get some American/Japanese ice cream
Same name tops lists of most popular dog and cat names in Japan, and there’s probably a reason why
133-year-old Japanese company’s cookies go beyond matcha with dashi and shichimi flavors
Japan’s real-world Pokémon hot spring’s first photos are here![Photos]
Tokyo restaurant offers lunches for less than 1 U.S. cent…if you’re good enough at rock-paper-scissors
The Japan Burger Championship 2026 in Yokohama next month is the ultimate battle of the beef
Nendroid Face Maker lets you custom design faces for Japan’s most popular anime figure line
Krispy Kreme releases new limited-edition fox doughnuts at only four stores in Japan
Another side of Kyoto – The prefecture’s top 10 “road stations” for traveling foodies