Find out how you can create the name of a prefecture simply by moving just one of these matchsticks.
Oona McGee
Half-Japanese Oona McGee hails from Sydney, Australia, where she worked as a journalist and copywriter before making the move to Japan over a decade ago. Now she spends her days exploring the streets of Tokyo with her laptop and camera, always in search of new cafes, restaurants, events and stories to share with our readers. As an experienced food and travel reporter, Oona has travelled extensively through all 47 prefectures of Japan, and is constantly researching new destinations and drawing up itineraries for her next adventure.
Posted by Oona McGee (Page 212)
Schoolgirls, demons and anthropomorphised characters show us their best side at this year’s event dedicated to all things anime.
Japanese customers took to social media to let us know how they felt about the announcement.
We try the delectable new drink that’s so exclusive it’s only available in four of the country’s prefectures.
Now you can enjoy the flavours of some well-known characters from the acclaimed animation studio.
A getaway home becomes a family home, with a young father who says his ties to family are stronger thanks to downsized living.
No matter how many times the cups are moved, this cat always knows which cup the ball is in.
Now you can nap in a $9,000 bed and enjoy mood lighting and soothing music with your coffee for a limited time in Tokyo.
This matcha and sakura cake collection has been specially designed for cherry blossom viewing parties.
The one store that sells these delectable treats is just as cute as the skewered pancakes themselves!
The significance of the event is being felt by everyone, even the workers who stopped to pose with photos of the mecha’s gigantic detached body parts.
The cute and fluffy bread is proving to be so popular it’s been selling out as soon as it hits the shelves.
Move over Starbucks – there’s another coffeehouse in Tokyo adding a dazzling range of cherry blossom treats to their menu.
Featuring all-natural materials and even a built-in fireplace, this tiny home is filled with clever design details.
The new luxury doughnuts are being billed as miniature cakes thanks to their creamy, delectable fillings.
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Studio Ghibli unveils new anime stationery collection, with a Spirited Away River God memo stand
Japanese sweet potato ice cream season! Häagen-Dazs and Muji take different paths to our hearts
Emperor of Japan poses for photo with Studio Ghibli’s No Face [Video]
My night trapped in Nagoya’s flood: what do you do when Japan’s trains shut down?
Final Fantasy VII’s Buster Sword gets real-world practicality as a giant towel [Photos]
Japanese convenience store is very focused with its new bento…maybe TOO focused
Three Daiso ideas for a super-cheap but still cool (or cute) Halloween look
Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
Three amazing Japanese convenience store sweet potato desserts to eat right now (and 11 for later)
Car-floating sheets selling well to cope with increasing flood risk in Japan
Weekly
New Gundam Base superstores coming soon in the U.S., with one opening this month
Bear spotted near most popular hiking trail on Tokyo’s most popular hiking mountain- Japanese sweet potato ice cream season! Häagen-Dazs and Muji take different paths to our hearts
Get more room in your luggage with new clothing compression machines at Haneda and Narita airports- Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
OC Japan Fair returns to California packed with all kinds of Japanese culture- Studio Ghibli unveils new anime stationery collection, with a Spirited Away River God memo stand
Pokémon Adidas crossover sneaker line releases in Japan, gives your feet Pikachu hugs [Pics]
Tokyo’s Square Burger claims it’s a viral hit with foreign tourists who’ve given it near-perfect Google reviews
Everything old is new, and cool, again at this hotel in Japan’s hot spring town comeback king
Monthly
Japan’s final Penguin Suica train cards have already shipped, and when they’re gone, they’re gone- Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
Studio Ghibli unveils new anime calendars and diary planners for 2027
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- New Gundam Base superstores coming soon in the U.S., with one opening this month
Kyoto temple bans visitors from wearing kimono
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
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
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
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
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Japanese convenience store is very focused with its new bento…maybe TOO focused
Three Daiso ideas for a super-cheap but still cool (or cute) Halloween look
Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
Three amazing Japanese convenience store sweet potato desserts to eat right now (and 11 for later)
Car-floating sheets selling well to cope with increasing flood risk in Japan
New Gundam Base superstores coming soon in the U.S., with one opening this month
Denny’s Mapputatsu? Parfait is hiding a big secret in plain sight that splits us down the middle
Only two Yoshinoya branches in all of Japan are on a train platform, and this is one of them
Tokyo cafe challenges customers to play with their food? Challenge accepted!
Studio Ghibli releases new anime socks that pay tribute to characters from four different movies
The number of centenarians living in Japan tops 100,000 for the first time
Tokyo’s Square Burger claims it’s a viral hit with foreign tourists who’ve given it near-perfect Google reviews
JAL first class cakes can be bought for a bargain, but are they as bougie as they seem?
Gang of angry monkeys surrounds and attacks Japanese man in hot spring town
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