It’s known as one of the nation’s top three most bizarre festivals and has resulted in deaths when it’s held every six years, but now you can experience the ride first-hand at any time of year!
Culture (Page 3)
Samurai warrior designs get a warm-weather overhaul with colourful patterns and unique sheer fabrics.
Soseki Natsume: writer, a man long dead. We can rebuild him. We have the technology. We can make him better than he was: better, stronger, faster…
Why not up your Japanese language skills by learning a local dialect? Here are some phrases to get you started!
Contribute to the cause and keep a centuries-old tradition alive on the streets by wearing 450 years of history on your feet.
“On that day, we ticks received a grim reminder. We lived in fear of the five-foot-tall humans.”
”Make your parents cry” may not have been the assignment, but it was definitely the result of this important lesson.
Designed to resemble traditional uchiwa fans, these exquisite lollipops are amongst the prettiest sweets in Tokyo.
Phone accessories come embroidered with declarations of protection against online flaming and low batteries.
East Japan Railway Company today released images of new building designs planned for three stations on two of the city’s popular train lines.
Loan services could be set to disappear with organisations now running dangerously low on stock.
They apparently had time for a little side gig before the release of their big movie later this month.
From My Neighbor Totoro to Porco Rosso, these cute kits let you recreate miniature worlds from your favorite Miyazaki films.
While men are understandably drawn to it, it’s women who are said to benefit the most from worshipping here.
Always be mindful of what you write or let others write for you. You never know when it will be scrutinized by thousands upon thousands of Japanese people.
Does your Grandma go picking fights with wild boars?


















Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Japanese airport rebrands itself as “Sushi Airport” to attract foreign tourists
New Mt. Fuji overnight bus takes travelers from downtown Tokyo straight to the most popular hiking trail
Tochigi man shares his family’s process for creating 16 years worth of rice paddy art
Yoshinoya and Dragon Quest slaying scalpers with shift to made-to-order collaboration merch
Climbing season officially opens for Japan’s Mt. Hiyoriyama, the shortest mountain in the country
Tokyo revises accommodation tax amidst tourism boom, Airbnb rentals now included
7-Eleven Japan now has Vietnamese banh mi sandwiches, but how do they taste?[Taste test]
Raw chicken dishes to be regulated by Japanese government
Foreign tourists injured in Nissan GT-R crash near Tokyo’s Shibuya Scramble Crossing
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Japan triples departure tax, foreign tourists and locals now must pay more to leave country
A visit to Sri Lanka’s knockoff knockoff Uniqlo (no, we didn’t stutter) to see its rare “Pikachus”
Japanese overnight sightseeing train returns for summer with ramen stops and ocean views
Sanrio Character Poll announces winners, Hello Kitty absent from top 10 in many countries
Starbucks Japan teams up with Converse Tokyo for a new limited-edition collection in honour of Tanabata
Don’t judge this Kiki’s Delivery Service book by its cover, because it’s not actually a book!
7-Eleven Japan releases chocolate cookies that taste like freshly baked melon bread
The quest for Dragon Quest Yoshinoya figure sets: Worth taking for fans, tricky for scalpers[Pics]
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Studio Ghibli store Donguri Republic announces opening of first-ever store in America
New Japanese overnight train coming to connect Tokyo with Tohoku in sleep-travel style
Japan launches first overnight Shinkansen bullet train between Tokyo and Osaka this summer
Japanese sweets shop sells an ohagi so exquisite it sells out by noon
Forget Tokyo go-karts – there’s a new way to sightsee on four wheels in Japan
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
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
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]
Climbing season officially opens for Japan’s Mt. Hiyoriyama, the shortest mountain in the country
Tokyo revises accommodation tax amidst tourism boom, Airbnb rentals now included
7-Eleven Japan now has Vietnamese banh mi sandwiches, but how do they taste?[Taste test]
Raw chicken dishes to be regulated by Japanese government
Foreign tourists injured in Nissan GT-R crash near Tokyo’s Shibuya Scramble Crossing
Japan now has a Pokémon airport that features every species of Flying-type ever[Video]
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Japan to get new high-speed train connecting Haneda and Narita airports, ease overtourism
Famous sweets store in Ameyoko fills a bag with sweets and a show, but is it still worth it?
Grandpa Sensei solo art exhibition returning to Tokyo and he’ll be there every day of it
A visit to Sri Lanka’s knockoff knockoff Uniqlo (no, we didn’t stutter) to see its rare “Pikachus”
Potato-Chip-Flavored Dressing coming to stores in Japan
Starbucks Japan puts a bow on peach season with new limited-edition Peach Creamy Tea Latte
The quest for Dragon Quest Yoshinoya figure sets: Worth taking for fans, tricky for scalpers[Pics]