Beyond silly mistakes like wearing toilet slippers on tatami or forgetting to add “san” to someone’s name, what other things do foreigners unknowingly do to reduce their chances of living happily in Japan?
Global (Page 13)
And just like that, 2015 was no more! It’s now January 1 all the way across Asia, which means it’s officially the Year of Monkey! Happy New Year, everyone!
We’ll be putting our feet up for the rest of today, but we promise we’ll be back tomorrow with more of the news, cuteness, cats, food, fukubukuro, Mr Sato and all the weird and wonderful stuff from Japan and Asia that you know—and hopefully love—us for.
Thank you for continuing to visit our site, share our stories and follow us on Twitter and Facebook (281K and counting!!), and for helping us to grow and grow. 2015 was very good to us, but here’s hoping that 2016 will fill us all with the sprightly energy of a whole mess of merry monkeys and that we can continue to make our little site even better—although hopefully without any poo-slinging.
Stay tuned, Rocketeers, and have yourselves a great New Year’s Day!
Our favourite family of Munchkin cats (and a dog!) do battle with a motorised duelling Yoda in this adorable video!
An amazing scale model artist has created a rideable steampunk mecha for a Sylvanian Family doll, out of… a tub of chewing gum?!
What do you like to get from your coffee, relaxation or focus? Apparently, the type of beans can change the affect on your brain, but which does what?
Episode 2 of our new video series, Ask Mr. Sato, is here! Join us after the jump to hear the advice of RocketNews24’s very own agony uncle!
The publisher of Shonen Jump + is teaming with digital distributor MediBang to hold an amateur manga submission contest. Those who make the cut will see their manga on the virtual pages of the magazine!
When a reporter for popular social news site BuzzFeed ate at Ramen Jiro recently, Japan’s netizens had plenty to say about it!
Luxury designer brand Moschino has come out with a line of Super Mario apparel and accessories, but the prices may make you think twice!
Comic Con, a festival of pop culture and entertainment, will be coming to Tokyo next year, and they’ve already put on a huge announcement bash!
Level-5 head Akihiro Hino, designer Yoshiyuki Momose, Miyazaki’s composer Joe Hisaishi return.
Video game localization company Sekai Project explained to the Hardcore Gamer website its reasons for removing DEADFACTORY’s Yohjo Simulator game from Steam on November 20.
Thousands paid their respect when Nintendo company president Satoru Iwata passed away in July, facing the brunt of typhoon at his service in Kyoto or leaving notes and letters at The Nintendo World Store in New York and the Nintendo headquarters in Redmond, Washington.



















Is this Tokyo government office still one of the best places in the city for a curry rice lunch?
Is Japan’s Crab-shaped Cup Ramen Timer worth the hype?
Starbucks Japan offers special sakura picnics at Reserve Roastery Tokyo beside Meguro River
Tokyo bus line praised for handling of driver’s mental health
Mister Donut unveils new sakura doughnuts for cherry blossom season 2026
Japanese government planning higher ticket prices for foreign tourists at Tokyo National Museum
Cherry blossom Totoro cake brings pink sakura sweetness to Tokyo this White Day
Science Breakthrough! Japanese Engineers Develop Lunch That Cooks Itself
We take on Thailand’s five-and-a-half-pound hamburger, and live to tell the tale
Studio Ghibli now sells Ursula’s backpack from Kiki’s Delivery Service at its anime shop in Japan
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026
Japan’s cherry blossom season predicted to start earlier than we’d thought, especially in Tokyo
Is Tokyo Station’s startlingly expensive wagyu bento boxed lunch worth its high price?[Taste test]
One Piece creator has hidden secret of anime treasure’s identity in chest at bottom of real-world ocean
Silicone testicle covers banned from Japanese sauna following cups being left behind and on shelves
Live-action One Piece’s Luffy teaches Sesame Street’s Elmo a Japanese word for friendship[Video]
Starbucks Japan releases a new Cream Puff Frappuccino for a limited time
Sakura Festival in Chiyoda mixes illuminations, boats, music, and Rilakkuma in the heart of Tokyo
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Foreigners accounting for over 80 percent of off-course skiers needing rescue in Japan’s Hokkaido
Super-salty pizza sends six kids to the hospital in Japan, linguistics blamed
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura Frappuccino for cherry blossom season 2026
Foreign tourists in Japan will get free Shinkansen tickets to promote regional tourism
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
Take a trip to Japan’s Dododo Land, the most irritating place on Earth
Naruto and Converse team up for new line of shinobi sneakers[Photos]
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
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
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
Japanese government planning higher ticket prices for foreign tourists at Tokyo National Museum
Cherry blossom Totoro cake brings pink sakura sweetness to Tokyo this White Day
Science Breakthrough! Japanese Engineers Develop Lunch That Cooks Itself
We take on Thailand’s five-and-a-half-pound hamburger, and live to tell the tale
Studio Ghibli now sells Ursula’s backpack from Kiki’s Delivery Service at its anime shop in Japan
Collection of Osamu Tezuka’s erotic animal manga sketches published for first time, available now
One Piece creator has hidden secret of anime treasure’s identity in chest at bottom of real-world ocean
Japan’s cherry blossom season predicted to start earlier than we’d thought, especially in Tokyo
W.T.F. Japan: Top 5 most ridiculous kanji handwriting shortcuts【Weird Top Five】
Anime holy ground – A visit to the real-world location of Look Back【Photos】
Is the new Shinkansen Train Desk ticket worth it?