![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 24)
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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Studio Ghibli unveils new anime stationery collection, with a Spirited Away River God memo stand
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Weekly
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OC Japan Fair returns to California packed with all kinds of Japanese culture
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Monthly
Japan’s final Penguin Suica train cards have already shipped, and when they’re gone, they’re gone
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Japan approves foreign resident visa renewal fee increases of up to 967 percent, starts soon
Japan tripled its departure tax to fund tourism but is using the money on cherry blossoms and bears
Solo travel in Japan: Hidden beer garden in Tokyo is a haven for single visitors
Kyoto temple bans visitors from wearing kimono- New Gundam Base superstores coming soon in the U.S., with one opening this month
Hobonichi unveils new 2027 planners, diaries and stationery with One Piece, Suica Penguin, Hello Kitty and a must-buy Mini Techo
Farewell Final Ceremony announced for Tokyo’s life-size Gundam statue, will stream live
Yearly
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
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Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
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Gang of angry monkeys surrounds and attacks Japanese man in hot spring town
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