Mr. Sato visits the Iwayuru Junk Shop in Tokyo’s Akihabara district in search of a true lucky bag: one where you don’t know what you’ll get inside.
The fukubukuro fun continues as we snag a lucky bag crammed full of merch, including limited edition items, from the Evangelion Store Tokyo-01.
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.



















The average age of Japan’s hikikomori shut-ins is getting older, survey shows
Japanese hair salons going bankrupt in record numbers
Foreign tourist needs ambulance to pick him up at Mt. Fuji after hiking closed trail
Is Mister Donut’s all-you-can-eat Donut Buffet still worth it?
Seaweed bread is one of the most unusual baked goods in all of Japan
Shogun Cultural Experiences merges a walking tour, sweets, and the music of traditional Japan
Beard Papa goes beyond just matcha with its new premium green tea cream puffs
Looney Tunes is now an adorable anime series with Looney Tunes Gokko[Videos]
Uniqlo’s high-end sunglasses are a fashion minefield for anyone who isn’t Mr. Sato
Hayao Miyazaki’s Whisper of the Heart concept art revealed in new Ghibli illustration book
Japan enters Golden Week vacation period, survey shows one in three plan to ride it out at home
Japan’s new Pokémon jackets give you the look and powers of the Kanto starter trio
Studio Ghibli releases new anime keychains that are like miniature figurines
Studio Ghibli releases crystal glass paperweights featuring Totoro and the Catbus
Dorayaki from 89-year-old Japanese confectionery shop is one of the best sweets hidden in Tokyo
Retro-style Evangelion T-shirts coming to Uniqlo sister brand GU[Photos]
Sega opening 65th anniversary store in downtotn Tokyo with deep-cut game merch
Samurai Coffee: Try Edo period coffee once enjoyed by Japanese warriors
Viral tweet suggests Japanese convenience store ripping off customers with donuts, so we investigate
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]
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Brand-new Pokémon manhole covers coming to help the recovery of a disaster-stricken part of Japan
Japan’s awesomely beautiful Alpen Route snow corridor is now open
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
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
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
Shogun Cultural Experiences merges a walking tour, sweets, and the music of traditional Japan
Beard Papa goes beyond just matcha with its new premium green tea cream puffs
Looney Tunes is now an adorable anime series with Looney Tunes Gokko[Videos]
Uniqlo’s high-end sunglasses are a fashion minefield for anyone who isn’t Mr. Sato
Hayao Miyazaki’s Whisper of the Heart concept art revealed in new Ghibli illustration book
Samurai Coffee: Try Edo period coffee once enjoyed by Japanese warriors
Japan enters Golden Week vacation period, survey shows one in three plan to ride it out at home
Art Fire Festival lights up the night at a unique venue in the mountains of Japan
Eating cheap sushi in a narrow building in Tokyo is an adventure for bold diners
Studio Ghibli releases crystal glass paperweights featuring Totoro and the Catbus
Japan’s new Pokémon jackets give you the look and powers of the Kanto starter trio
49-year-old Japanese shut-in spends weeks living with corpse of mother who died at home
Retro-style Evangelion T-shirts coming to Uniqlo sister brand GU[Photos]
Studio Ghibli releases new anime keychains that are like miniature figurines