A new year means new lucky bags! So, how’s the haul from Starbucks? We find out after waiting in line all night!
What better way to usher in a new year in Japan than with a cute collection of dogs in kimono?
If you’re up on your currency exchange rates, the answer won’t shock you.
We dropped 1 million yen (approximately US$8,300) on 5,000 Japan National Lottery scratch-off tickets to see if buying in bulk translates to bigger wins.
Are you able to suitably show off your appreciation for one of the most critically acclaimed magical girl anime in the last five years? If not, come see what is in store after the jump!
Tongue-in-cheek comic and anime hit One-Punch Man might feature the most powerful character ever, but that doesn’t preclude it from having the funniest character ever too.
Impressed with Japan’s ability to quickly rebuild after the Second World War, some educators in Iraq are looking to instill similar values in their own youth.
How do you reply to a friend’s wedding invitation: with a simple check mark in a box, or a thoughtful work of art?
Akira‘s theatrical poster is almost as iconic as the movie itself. But who knew that a character walking towards their ride could look as badass as Kaneda?
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!
In order to change yourself for the better, one Japanese website is offering a simple way to identify your own faults based on your date of birth.
Moe-style anime NEW GAME! gets new official website with TV broadcast and cast reveal info.
With so many celebrities and businesses with their own social media accounts, how can you make sure you attract users and get them to follow you? McDonald’s does it by making you see their food in a whole new way.
A metro operator set up a monitoring device and announcement system to single out individual commuters caught using their smartphones while walking near escalators or passing trains.
Live out your fantasies of love-making in Japan’s bygone eras at this unusual love hotel in Osaka.
Coming to Japan and dressing up like a geisha is a bit like going to the USA and dressing up as a confederate soldier. Sure it’s fun, but it doesn’t really reflect modern society. What you need to feel the Japan of today is leopard print…and lots of it!
This is what happens when you combine centuries-old traditional Japanese painting with modern anime, and we love it!



















Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
Japanese drugstore sells onigiri at pre-stupid era prices, but how do they compare to 7-Eleven?
Japan Extreme Budget Travel! A trip from Tokyo to Izumo for just 30,000 yen [Part 1]
Japanese restaurant chain serves Dragon Ball donuts and Senzu Beans this spring
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Tokyo Station staff share their top 10 favorite ekiben
Japan has only one airport named after a samurai, so let’s check out Kochi Ryoma【Photos】
Burning through cash just to throw things away tops list of headaches when moving house in Japan
Boro the Caterpillar anime now showing at the Ghibli Museum in Tokyo 【SoraReview】
Japan has a new bar just for people thinking about quitting their jobs, and the drinks are free
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
Highest Starbucks in Japan set to open this spring in the Tokyo sky
Tokyo Skytree turns pink for the cherry blossom season
Japan’s new “Cunte” contact lenses aren’t pronounced like you’re probably thinking they are
Shibuya Station’s Hachiko Gate and Yamanote Line stairway locations change next month
Yakuzen ramen restaurant in Tokyo is very different to a yakuza ramen restaurant
Starbucks Japan adds new sakura Frappuccino and cherry blossom drinks to the menu
Japan just had its first same-month foreign tourist decrease in four years
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
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
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]
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting the lines at a popular Tokyo gyukatsu restaurant?
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
Tokyo Station staff share their top 10 favorite ekiben
Japan has only one airport named after a samurai, so let’s check out Kochi Ryoma【Photos】
Burning through cash just to throw things away tops list of headaches when moving house in Japan
Boro the Caterpillar anime now showing at the Ghibli Museum in Tokyo 【SoraReview】
Japan has a new bar just for people thinking about quitting their jobs, and the drinks are free
Man arrested in Japan after leaving car in coin parking lot for six years, racking up three-million-yen bill
7-Eleven Japan’s sakura sweets season is underway right now!
Super-salty pizza sends six kids to the hospital in Japan, linguistics blamed
Japan’s lowest underpass, where you have to duck under the train tracks【Video】
How to make curry in a rice cooker with zero prep work and no water[Recipe]
Viral 3D ice creams land in Japan… but are they worth the hype?
Tokyo Skytree turns pink for the cherry blossom season
Japanese vending machine serves up unique drinks at four Tokyo train stations