A new decade dawns, heralding the start of a very big year for Japan and its rat-folk.
It’s been a busy year of news here in Japan, with heartbreaking events, the historic abdication of Emperor Akihito, and unexpected marriages and happy births ranking amongst some of the top stories for the last year of the 2010s.
Now as we enter the 2020s, we have the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics and the new Ghibli Park opening on the horizon, promising an even bigger decade of news and events from the land of the Rising Sun.
So while we gear up for another year of daily reporting on all things Japan-related, our team will be taking a break today to spend some time with friends and family, recounting the Yoshiki x Kiss performance on Kohaku Uta Gassen and hunting down some of this year’s best fukubukuro for you to enjoy.
As we welcome in the Year of the Rat, we’d like to take a moment to thank you all for visiting our site over the past 12 months and being the best readers we could possibly wish for. We’ll be back with more stories for you tomorrow so until then enjoy the first day of the new decade and have a happy and prosperous New Year!
Top image: © SoraNews24
Merry Christmas from SoraNews24!
Happy New Year from SoraNews24!
Yoshiki and Kiss to perform together again on Japan’s New Year’s Eve music extravaganza Kohaku
Japanese Emperor abdication date revealed by government officials in new report
Japanese Emperor’s abdication date set, end of Heisei era now officially on the horizon
McDonald’s new Happy Meals offer up cute and practical Sanrio lifestyle goods
All-you-can-drink Starbucks and amazing views part of Tokyo’s new 170 meter-high sky lounge
More foreign tourists than ever before in history visited Japan last month
Starbucks reopens at Shibuya Scramble Crossing with new look and design concept
Beautiful Sailor Moon manhole cover coasters being given out for free by Tokyo tourist center
Arrest proves a common Japanese saying about apologies and police
Is the new Shinkansen Train Desk ticket worth it?
The oldest tunnel in Japan is believed to be haunted, and strange things happen when we go there
Disney princesses get official manga makeovers for Manga Princess Cafe opening in Tokyo
Japanese convenience store packs a whole bento into an onigiri rice ball
We try out “Chan Ramen”, an underground type of ramen popular in the ramen community
Beautiful new Final Fantasy T-shirt collection on the way from Uniqlo【Photos】
Foreign English teachers in Japan pick their favorite Japanese-language phrases【Survey】
There’s a park inside Japan where you can also see Japan inside the park
Studio Ghibli releases Kiki’s Delivery Service chocolate cake pouches in Japan
Japan’s bone-breaking and record-breaking roller coaster is permanently shutting down
New definition of “Japanese whiskey” goes into effect to prevent fakes from fooling overseas buyers
Foreign passenger shoves conductor on one of the last full runs for Japan’s Thunderbird train
Our Japanese reporter visits Costco in the U.S., finds super American and very Japanese things
Kyoto bans tourists from geisha alleys in Gion, with fines for those who don’t follow rules
Studio Ghibli unveils Mother’s Day gift set that captures the love in My Neighbour Totoro
Domino’s Japan now sells…pizza ears?
New Japanese KitKat flavour stars Sanrio characters, including Hello Kitty
Sales of Japan’s most convenient train ticket/shopping payment cards suspended indefinitely
Sold-out Studio Ghibli desktop humidifiers are back so Totoro can help you through the dry season
Japanese government to make first change to romanization spelling rules since the 1950s
Ghibli founders Toshio Suzuki and Hayao Miyazaki contribute to Japanese whisky Totoro label design
Doraemon found buried at sea as scene from 1993 anime becomes real life【Photos】
Tokyo’s most famous Starbucks is closed
One Piece characters’ nationalities revealed, but fans have mixed opinions
We asked a Uniqlo employee what four things we should buy and their suggestions didn’t disappoint
Princesses, fruits, and blacksmiths: Study reveals the 30 most unusual family names in Japan
Studio Ghibli’s new desktop Howl’s Moving Castle will take your stationery on an adventure
End of the Heisei Era: Japanese government to announce new era name on 1 April
Confusion as Imperial official denies rumors that Japan’s Emperor Akihito plans to step down
Japan’s year-end Kohaku song battle rumored to end soon
Was there no “Song of 2021” in Japan?
J-Pop singer to perform song written and composed by the emperor and empress at upcoming ceremony
Japanese rock legend Yoshiki to be honored with a handprint ceremony in Hollywood
Japanese Emperor’s abdication date to be decided next month, expected later than initial reports
Japanese government proposes driver’s license change to make them easier for foreigners to read
The one-year countdown officially begins for the end of the Heisei Era
Prime Minster Abe tells Trump that imperial succession is “100 times bigger” than the Super Bowl
Japan announces new era name, Reiwa, but what does it mean and why was it chosen?
Ring in the New Year with Baskin-Robbins Japan’s adorable Pokémon ice cream dishes
To combat declining birth rate, Japan to begin offering “Breeding Visas” to foreigners
Japanese hip hop group Rishiri Boys boasts local pride, mad skills, and an average age of 82
Harajuku Station will be demolished after the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics
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