![Nintendo’s Animal Crossing crosses over into Japanese convenience store cosmetics line[Photos]](https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/ac-9.jpg?w=640 "Nintendo’s Animal Crossing crosses over into Japanese convenience store cosmetics line[Photos]")
Family Mart convenience stores are looking a little more like an Animal Crossing village these days.
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 (Page 11)
Woodlands that inspired the creation of My Neighbor Totoro sit at the edge of the biggest city in Japan, but this fund helps keep them green.
Change comes with less than half a week’s notice, new requirements will take five more years to meet.
![Pokémon lacquerware series expands for Year of the Horse with new handcrafted design[Video]](https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/03/pm-0.jpg?w=640 "Pokémon lacquerware series expands for Year of the Horse with new handcrafted design[Video]")
Century-old lacquerware company, supplier to the royal family, turns its makie skills to a beloved Fire-type.
After a longer-than-expected renovation, this Ryogoku museum is finally ready to tell the human stories of Edo and Tokyo once again.
New system allows you to travel with just a credit card on more than 50 lines in and around the capital, but with one major holdout.
![50-year-old instant noodle recipe is back from the past in Japan for a limited time[Taste test]](https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/03/4_57d2fe.jpg?w=640 "50-year-old instant noodle recipe is back from the past in Japan for a limited time[Taste test]")
![Japan’s favorite sandwich pockets now come with sakura filling, but how do they taste?[Taste test]](https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/03/lp-1.jpg?w=640 "Japan’s favorite sandwich pockets now come with sakura filling, but how do they taste?[Taste test]")
![Rumors say this is Japan’s very best McDonald’s branch, but what makes it special?[Taste test]](https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/03/1_93a2c5.jpg?w=640 "Rumors say this is Japan’s very best McDonald’s branch, but what makes it special?[Taste test]")
We head half-way across Japan and try what foodies say is the most delicious McDonald’s branch in the whole county.
![Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]](https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/03/nm-1.jpg?w=640 "Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]")
Once an under-the-radar sakura spot, this neighborhood near Shibuya has become dangerously congested.
![Final Fantasy invites you to adventure in Fukushima with Fukushima Fantasy Chocobo fun[Video]](https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/03/ff-1.jpg?w=640 "Final Fantasy invites you to adventure in Fukushima with Fukushima Fantasy Chocobo fun[Video]")
![Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]](https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/03/ch-1.jpg?w=640 "Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]")
The Neko House Desk understands who’s really in charge of your home, and helps you convince them to let you have some space too.
Characters from Weekly Shonen Jump, Weekly Young Jump, and Ribon join the UT graphic T-shirts lineup.
![Deer are appearing in Osaka City, may have wandered there from Nara[Video]](https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/03/od-1.jpg?w=640 "Deer are appearing in Osaka City, may have wandered there from Nara[Video]")
No one’s sure what to do with them, since Nara’s deer lose their protected status when they leave the park.
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Japanese sweets shop sells an ohagi so exquisite it sells out by noon
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Gama Land, the weird Japanese amusement park celebrating toads, is now like a ghost town
Starbucks Japan releases new limited-edition summer drinks…and a pastry for dunking
Studio Ghibli adds new My Neighbour Totoro music box to its anime merchandise store in Japan
Japanese bento shop touches hearts by selling super cheap boxed lunches for around a dollar
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Weekly
New Japanese overnight train coming to connect Tokyo with Tohoku in sleep-travel style- Studio Ghibli store Donguri Republic announces opening of first-ever store in America
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East Japan Railway announces plans to abolish magnetic-strip tickets
Tokyo’s life-size Gundam is getting a new look before its end-of-summer removal
Japan’s cheap beef bowl chain goes upscale with Matsuya Premium, but is it worth the higher price?
7-Eleven Japan joins the craze for Korean Gamja Cheese Balls- Japanese bento shop touches hearts by selling super cheap boxed lunches for around a dollar
7-Eleven Japan has a new Creamy Iced Cafe Latte that’s a hit on social media
Monthly
- New Japanese overnight train coming to connect Tokyo with Tohoku in sleep-travel style
- Studio Ghibli store Donguri Republic announces opening of first-ever store in America
Uniqlo reveals third round of massive 100-year-anniversary manga T-shirts for Jump’s Shueisha
Even at twice regular Daiso price, this handy item is still great for summer travel in Japan
New official Ghibli anime food cookbook will teach you how to make Ponyo’s ramen and more
Japanese convenience store Lawson launches new “mini supermarket” chain, L Minimart
Japan’s real-world Pokémon hot spring’s first photos are here![Photos]- Forget Tokyo go-karts – there’s a new way to sightsee on four wheels in Japan
Kanji ice cream becomes a sell-out hit in Japan
Kyoto public junior high school becomes first in Japan with a hoodie school uniform
Yearly
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】
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]
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
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Studio Ghibli adds new My Neighbour Totoro music box to its anime merchandise store in Japan
Japanese bento shop touches hearts by selling super cheap boxed lunches for around a dollar
Lawson Japan releases a crazy new product to remind us it’s not just famous for convenience store food
Lawson upsizes convenience store food for a limited time with two must-try Japanese meals
Fukuoka schools struggling to get kids to switch from milk to tea in lunches
7-Eleven Japan debuts new black-and-white rice ball packaging…but is it because of a naphtha shortage?
Japan’s Pokémon Slowpoke Train goes on hiatus, but a mini version could be yours to own
That time when we fowled out while fighting our feathered friends
Family Mart’s new Gyoza Dog proves Japanese convenience store food hits different
Studio Ghibli turns anime characters into “Friendly Bags” for merchandise range in Japan
Japan’s Pikachu and Eevee Pokémon mailboxes to be removed at end of month
Tokyo has a cafe that prohibits talking inside, and here’s why it’s awesome
Sizzling on a hot plate?! American sushi rolls break all the rules at this Japanese restaurant
These rare eggs cost more than a typical meal in Japan but are they really that special?
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