It’s time, once again, to pull out every trick we can think of to try to boost our luck in Japan’s huge end of the year lottery.
Casey Baseel
Born and raised in Los Angeles, Casey Baseel spent his formative years staring in frustration at un-subtitled Japanese TV programming shown on Southern California’s international channel. Taking matters into his own hands, he moved to Tokyo to study the language, then found work in Yokohama a decade ago teaching, translating, and marketing hotels he can’t afford to stay in. When not participating in the eternal cycle of exercising to burn the calories form his love of Japanese food, Casey scours used comic and game shops for forgotten classics, drags his wife around the country in a quest to visit all its castles, sings karaoke not nearly as well as he thinks he does, and counts the days until the summertime bars open on Enoshima Beach.
Posted by Casey Baseel
Yamada Heiando has been in business for over 100 years, but it’s still got new ideas for its Pokémon crossover line.
Mr. Sato bypasses the high-priced sushi that’s become the neighborhood’s new normal and finds a super-cheap, super-tasty bowl of ramen.
Starbucks Japan closes out the year with luxurious and innovative dessert drinks for the most Japanese holiday season of the year.
There are two main types of okonomiyaki, but people in Hiroshima don’t like one of the names the rest of the country has for theirs.
The “super-thick” ehomaki is a luxurious way to ensure good luck for your home and family in the coming year.
Crane games are big hits with foreign tourists and Japanese kids, so Family Mart is happy to have them come in and play.
After 71 years, the Cabinet is ready to do something just about everyone else did several decades ago.
Inbound tourism boom and Japanese New Year’s traditions are too much for the world’s most famous sushi town to handle simultaneously, request says.
Ueno Zoo is doing what it can to keep the line moving as fans come to say goodbye to Japan’s last pandas.
MOST POPULAR
Now
7-Eleven Japan’s ramen-cooking robot whipped us up a bowl of noodles【Taste test】
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
Japan’s otoshidama tradition of giving kids money at New Year’s gets a social welfare upgrade
Lacquerware supplier to emperor of Japan and Pokémon team up for new tableware
Starbucks Japan releases new zodiac chilled cup drink for 2026
Sushi passed up by ramen in survey of foreign tourists’ favorite thing to eat in Japan, but why?
Potted mini sakura trees are perfect for everyone who missed cherry blossom season this year
We try the new, limited edition squid viscera potato chips from Japan【Taste Test】
Permanent Sailor Moon stage show theater announced for Tokyo
Is the all-you-can-eat KFC buffet in Tokyo really as good as they say it is?
Weekly
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
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】- Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
- Starbucks Japan releases new zodiac chilled cup drink for 2026
- Lacquerware supplier to emperor of Japan and Pokémon team up for new tableware
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Is this the most relaxing Starbucks in Japan?
Starbucks on a Shinkansen bullet train platform: 6 tips for using the automated store in Japan
Street Fighter Hadouken Churros to be launched and eaten in Tokyo, Okami pudding on offer too
Monthly
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Japanese train company is letting fans buy its actual ticket gates for their homes- 7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
- 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 considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area- Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Nintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan
Tokyo event lets you travel back in time, for free, to celebrate 100 years since Showa era start
Sanrio theme park in Japan announces plans to expand into a Sanrio resort
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
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
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】
The top 10 annoying foreign tourist behaviors on trains, as chosen by Japanese people【Survey】
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
RECOMMENDED STORIES
Sushi passed up by ramen in survey of foreign tourists’ favorite thing to eat in Japan, but why?
Potted mini sakura trees are perfect for everyone who missed cherry blossom season this year
We try the new, limited edition squid viscera potato chips from Japan【Taste Test】
Permanent Sailor Moon stage show theater announced for Tokyo
Is the all-you-can-eat KFC buffet in Tokyo really as good as they say it is?
Is it rude to sing along at concerts in Japan? We ask a pro musician for his take
Netizens hatch adorable baby birds from supermarket eggs, provide evidence
Sakura cherry blossoms float on breeze, land on Nara deer in perfect hanami video
Japan’s cat robot waiters meow when you pat them, and we find out why【Video】
American senior citizen tourist arrested in Japan for bringing gun into country in his luggage
More Than a Capsule Stay: Why Solo Travelers Choose “global cabin Yokohama Chinatown”
Chinese government’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning has heartwarming non-effect on Yokohama Chinatown
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
-
