VoxelKei has been working to create the ultimate VR map of Japan, allowing people the chance to explore an extremely detailed rendering of the entire country. Oh, and also fire massive death rays at it.
Andrew Kane
Native of the middle-American rustbelt, full-time resident of Japan since 2013, Andrew has been bouncing back and forth between Japan and the US since the age of 17 when he spent a year attending high school in the icy hinterlands of Hokkaido. Now working as a full time writer/editor in Tokyo, he seldom makes use of his Master's Degree in Meiji Period Art History, preferring instead to spend his days engaged in grandfatherly pursuits including visits to public bathhouses and reflecting upon the virtues of his frugal, austere style of life —exciting! Other interests include old video games, pop cultural ephemera, and compulsively reading the news. Incidentally, Andrew has also attained an extremely marginal level of celebrity in Japan by appearing alongside his wife on a certain popular Japanese reality television show.
Posted by Andrew Kane
Pokémon lovers rejoice! There’s now a whole new way to celebrate your fandom with these Pikachu-themed lunch boxes now on sale in South Korea!
This cool mock-up shows that writers at Beep predicted a console very different from the one we would all come to know and love.
Cat meets toast! Read more to learn all about this simple, yet creative internet craze that’s sweeping Japan.
In a video as puzzling as it is impressive, a Japanese man in a Frieza costume and facial make-up skillfully drums to the hit anime theme song.
YouTube personality Mike Matei created this truly impressive tribute animation using nothing but this 16-bit era Super Nintendo game!
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s Liberal Democrats intensify their push for legalized casinos in Japan, but a majority of Japanese people are calling their bluff!
Take a trip back to the metropolis at the peak of the Bubble Era with this fascinating series of candid video montages.
Saint Young Men, a popular manga series starring the two religious figures, will make the jump to live-action next year.
Our Japanese-language writer, Yuichiro Wasai, offers a rare look inside the country’s largest prison with a series of original drawings!
Domino’s Japan announces that they’re seriously considering this as an option for sending out pizzas this winter.
Japanese netizens are puzzled by Vietnamese convenience stores using increasingly minor characters from Doraemon for their popular steamed buns.
A new survey reveals that a startling number of Japanese workers are literally losing sleep over their stressful jobs.
See this half-Japanese student reveal his prank in this surprising finale to a video series in which he documents an elaborate social experiment.
Fans have a lot to look forward to, following the announcement that an intriguing new “Dragon Ball Room” was established earlier this year.
Ever wanted to own a piece of Tokyo real estate? Now a tiny piece of the megalopolis can be yours, thanks to this Japanese company.
We take a look at a Japanese website that lets you transform your photos into 8-bit, Gameboy-style works of art!
Big news in the gaming world as sales of Sony’s PlayStation 4 predicted to surpass those of Nintendo’s Wii U in Japan — despite the fact that Nintendo’s system had a full year head start.
Just watching this video gives us serious anxiety, but luckily this player clears this stage with ease — and they were only one of a handful players to accomplish this feat!
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Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
How lucky are the themed retro video game lucky bags from this shop in the Tokyo boonies?
What’s inside Starbucks Japan’s fukubukuro lucky bag for 2026?
Tokyo has a brand new Harry Potter shop with its own butterbeer bar – Let’s see what’s inside【Pics】
Four Shinto shrines to pray for love at in Japan to start the New Year
Majority of Japanese men say they feel some discomfort seeing female janitors in men’s restrooms
Once you hear this lady sing “Yooooooghurppe”, you may never stop hearing it
Japan’s oldest largetooth sawfish in captivity back on display in Mie Prefecture
Dragon Quest Burgers and Slime drinks are coming to McDonald’s Japan【Video】
Weekly
10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
Japanese beef bowl chain Sukiya’s 2026 Smile Box lucky bag basically pays for itself- Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
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Top Japanese cosplayer Enako returns to Comiket after 6 years, creates mayhem with admirers
Cup Noodle tries an authentic Jiro-style ramen, but something’s not quite right
Hayao Miyazaki says Happy New Year to Studio Ghibli fans with new art for Year of the Horse
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
Umamusume anime girl plushie recalled for having parts she absolutely should not have【Pics】
We ate sushi made from Japan’s most expensive tuna ever【Taste test】
Monthly
- Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches- 10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
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
Starbucks Japan releases new zodiac chilled cup drink for 2026
Tokyo considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area
Yearly
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
Human washing machine pods coming to Japanese hotels【Photos】
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Four Shinto shrines to pray for love at in Japan to start the New Year
Majority of Japanese men say they feel some discomfort seeing female janitors in men’s restrooms
Once you hear this lady sing “Yooooooghurppe”, you may never stop hearing it
Japan’s oldest largetooth sawfish in captivity back on display in Mie Prefecture
Dragon Quest Burgers and Slime drinks are coming to McDonald’s Japan【Video】
Osaka teen arrested for hacking into Internet cafe’s app to steal data, was helped by Chat-GPT
We check out the new apartment building construction site area that opened in KidZania Tokyo
Petition started to stop Doraemon from constantly showing Shizuka in the bath
7-Eleven Japan now sells…matcha burritos?!?
Japan’s new Hello Kitty and Sanrio smartwatches are cutewatches too【Photos】
Princess Mononoke magnets return just in time to treat yourself to awesome anime decorations
Temptations of smartphones, high-calorie foods mean no new horse racing jockeys for Japan next year
We ate sushi made from Japan’s most expensive tuna ever【Taste test】
The times they are a-changin’: Snapshots of Tokyo 50 years ago vs. today【Photos】
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