Culture
Once again, our Japanese-language reporters ride along a razor-thin line of reasoning and derail right into a valuable life lesson.
A Muslim man being detained at a Yokohama immigration center was served pork and has gone on a hunger strike in protest.
SMAP, one of Japan’s most famous pop boy band groups, have announced they will disband at the end of this year.
Mr. Sato takes a stroll through the shopping arcade of Asagaya Station in Tokyo for this year’s Tanabata festival and bumps into none other than The Donald himself!
While most people associate curry with India, it might be surprising to learn that it is a big deal in Japan as well. “How big?” you ask?
While many believe the tradition of making the ghost-like doll can be traced back to a bald-headed monk, history suggests it actually began with a small girl.
Kuraberu Tōzai presents an easy-to-understand compilation of regional differences between Tokyo and Osaka in terms of cuisines, art, and cultural traditions.
The man who kneads rice at incredible speeds of three hits per second lets us into his world and tells us why he lives for making mochi.
Forget the little old lady who lived in a shoe; there’s a Japanese family who lives in a milk carton.
Just like their inspirations protected swordsmen’s hands, these coasters will guard your kitchen table’s varnish.
Sometimes there are restaurants you want to keep a secret all to yourself, and this is definitely one of them.



















Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
As more foreign visitors visit Kyoto’s top sights, Japanese travelers increasingly staying away
The Purple Lucky Bag from Village Vanguard is an extra-large waste of money
New adults go wild at Seijinshiki Coming-of-Age ceremony in Kitakyushu, Japan 【Photos】
Pokémon Lego kits are finally on their way!【Photos】
Village Vanguard tries to tickle us pink with a Pink Lucky Bag
We make a Russian Kentucky Fried Chicken sushi ginger sandwich
JR’s new overnight sleeper train will connect Tokyo and northern Japan, is private cabin-only
Sanrio brings some smiles to Evangelion with new collaboration merch line【Photos】
Crazy Tokyo cheeseburger turns concept inside-out with cheese on the outside, bread on the inside
10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
Umamusume anime girl plushie recalled for having parts she absolutely should not have【Pics】
Princess Mononoke magnets return just in time to treat yourself to awesome anime decorations
Top Japanese cosplayer Enako returns to Comiket after 6 years, creates mayhem with admirers
Giant hotel rooms in Osaka reflect the new non-niche face of travel in Japan.
We ate sushi made from Japan’s most expensive tuna ever【Taste test】
Japanese beef bowl chain Sukiya’s 2026 Smile Box lucky bag basically pays for itself
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
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
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】
Village Vanguard tries to tickle us pink with a Pink Lucky Bag
We make a Russian Kentucky Fried Chicken sushi ginger sandwich
JR’s new overnight sleeper train will connect Tokyo and northern Japan, is private cabin-only
Sanrio brings some smiles to Evangelion with new collaboration merch line【Photos】
Crazy Tokyo cheeseburger turns concept inside-out with cheese on the outside, bread on the inside
Game of Jenga filled with high-grade whiskey goes on sale in Japan for nearly 2 million yen
Deep Sea Pudding made in Japanese port town is an edible work of art!
Hyogo man arrested for creating biohazard zone with “own” pee
Giant hotel rooms in Osaka reflect the new non-niche face of travel in Japan.
Japanese beauty trends of the 20th & 21st centuries, and predicting future fashions
Rakuten randomly offers 58 New Year’s osechi feasts in Japan, but did we get a star or a dud?
One of Japan’s rarest sweets is a sell-out hit that looks and tastes like frost
Bamboo trees vandalized near Kyoto’s Fushimi Inari shrine, foreign graffiti prevalent