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.



















Stay in a Tokyo hotel with a train driver’s seat in the room
One of the busiest stations in Tokyo is changing the name on its signs, but not necessarily to make it easier for people to find their way around.
Never forget that Mister Donut’s super-simple ramen is actually very hard to beat
Nintendo’s Kirby zooms into Japanese convenience stores Family Mart’s Super Satisfied Fest
South Korean design company turns subway maps into beautiful artwork you can hang on your wall
All-you-can-eat lunch buffet for just 850 yen right next to Shinjuku Station
We test Daiso’s new storage container to see if it keeps rice fluffy even after freezing
Everyone in the office wears a bra in search of the true meaning of Brassiere Day
Brand-new Pokémon park opens in Japan with larger-than-life-size Lapras【Photos】
Totoro embroidered bags and pouches are as fluffy and cute as the Ghibli star himself【Photos】
Unique inclined elevator in Japan leads to a town that inspired Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away
Naturally brown-haired Osaka student sues government for forcing her to dye her hair black
Tokyo hotel lets you make your stay a Sanrio one with special My Melody and Kuromi rooms【Pics】
Real takoyaki is almost impossible to find in Tokyo, but this place has it, our hardliner says
Step into Japanese culture with Converse’s new Japan-exclusive shoes featuring gods, sushi style
New Kyoto experience package lets you film epic samurai battles with your friends
Studio Ghibli releases new Ursula’s blanket from Kiki’s Delivery Service
Tokyo all-you-can-eat senbei deal is perfect for newbies to the world of beloved Japanese snacks
Sanrio and Sonic the Hedgehog characters become fast friends with new plushie collection
Studio Ghibli releases new “komorebi” plush toys to brighten your days
JR Hokkaido train driver in trouble for reading book about trains on stopped train
Studio Ghibli releases new anime tea and mugs in Japan
Tokyo bento boxed lunch shop charges different prices depending on how heavy your laptop is
Studio Ghibli anime stoles are here to keep you warm with a range of famous characters
Japan has vending machines that put protective film on your phone for you — Here’s how to use them
Totoro fountain figurine recreates the sights and sounds of one of anime’s most memorable scenes
Starbucks Japan unveils new Christmas Frappuccino and holiday drinks for 2025
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Possessing Harry Potter’s Sword of Godric Gryffindor is now illegal in Japan
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
One of Japan’s most beautiful hot spring towns announces new limits on number of day trippers
All-you-can-eat lunch buffet for just 850 yen right next to Shinjuku Station
We test Daiso’s new storage container to see if it keeps rice fluffy even after freezing
Everyone in the office wears a bra in search of the true meaning of Brassiere Day
Brand-new Pokémon park opens in Japan with larger-than-life-size Lapras【Photos】
Totoro embroidered bags and pouches are as fluffy and cute as the Ghibli star himself【Photos】
We tried a Korean brand of ramen that has a black broth, and it caused our brains to malfunction
Pokémon doughnuts appear at Mister Donut, with all-new Pikachu and Foongus
Japan’s permanent Pokémon theme park zone announces grand opening date, ticket sale start
Real takoyaki is almost impossible to find in Tokyo, but this place has it, our hardliner says
Japanese researchers recreate the newborn baby scent in a bottle of perfume
Daiso opens massive new 25,392-square foot Tokyo flagship store with its two sub-brands included
Love yakiniku but dining solo? Here’s what it’s like to eat alone at Yakiniku Like
Cute pet owl in Japan startles its owner with a dramatic transformation sequence