Young children are full of surprises, but sometimes the biggest surprise comes out of their backpacks. Meet Zen and the newest “student” at a Thai kindergarten, his cat.
Looking for romance in Japan? Learn from our experience! Here a few things we’ve learned from foreigners who’ve dated in Japan.
Show off your prettiest historical self at this Nara photo studio where you can dress like the Edo Period’s high-class courtesans!
Feeding fish is an innocent pastime — unless you’ve got a whole pond and a thousand fish instead of a small tank! Then it looks more like a horror movie!
We sent Mr. Sato to Forever 21 with 10,000 yen (about US$82) and asked them to help him put together an outfit. The results may surprise you!
Now you can protect your smartphone with a new line of gorgeous Sailor Moon earphone jack accessories, featuring miniature magical items and weapons from the anime series.
Danso—women dressing and performing as men—has been an element of Tokyo girls’ underground culture for years, but with a recent boom in otaku visibility has become more and more popular. Especially big among young women who see danso as the ideal too-perfect-to-be-true guy, danso is even becoming popular among men who think they can learn a thing or two from their cool style. There are now many ways to experience danso culture in Tokyo, but you can enjoy it from abroad, too!
WIN Gallup International recently announced the results of their international survey on people’s willingness to fight for their country. Despite recent changes to the constitution, it turns out Japanese Johnnies are least likely to get their guns among all nations surveyed.
Nestlé Japan is famous for producing unusual Kit Kats but this December they’re set to release their most unique version yet: a Kit Kat encased in real gold.
Show your off your love for cats and awesome fashion this winter with an adorable “cat scarf” from Felissimo!
With December less than two weeks away, Japanese companies are beginning to make preparations for their annual bounenkai (end-of-year) and shinnenkai (New Year) parties. Even if they’re the kind of people who sometimes duck out on after-work drinks with the boss, most Japanese employees are painfully aware that skipping the biggest corporate celebrations of the year is tantamount to career suicide.
Because large-scale events usually require more space than your average drinking party, many Japanese companies have recently been moving away from typical sit-down enkai banquets and are holding more Western-style events where staff are encouraged to move around freely and interact over a few drinks.
But according to a recent survey, these Western-style work socials are overwhelmingly unpopular in Japan. Here are the top seven reasons why.
If you take a seat on the Yokohama subway next month don’t be surprised if a warlord from China’s Three Kingdoms period advises you on proper public transport behavior.
Wei leader Cao Cao showing you how to give up your seat, or legendary warrior Lu Bu advising you not to run onto trains are but two of the nine posters recently previewed online. Let’s take a look at them all!
If we had to pick one thing that represented how Japanese food maybe isn’t quite as healthy as generally perceived, it would probably have to be the bento lunchbox. Bento are readily available practically everywhere in Japan—when not being handmade for you by a parent or spouse, usually in the shape of Pokémon characters and the like—and are widely consumed by office workers and other day laborers as a cheap, convenient lunch.
Despite healthy origins back in the old days, bento—perhaps by design—have become increasingly unhealthy, with your standard box available from a retailer or food truck usually weighing in at a thousand calories (or frequently even more) and containing a bunch of fried food in addition to huge portions of rice.
But heck, when a filling, albeit cholesterol and calorie-packed bento sets you back only a measly 200 yen (US$1.50) over at discount supermarket Lamu, well, we’ll happily do the extra time on the treadmill.
Looking for something tooty-fruity for your booty? How about these tasty-looking fruit toilet paper rolls?
Pirate manga pirates promptly pinched by prefectural police.
After these passengers got stranded, they walked the rest of the way in such a precise line they practically became a train themselves.
Yohjo Simulator was released into the world this week, but it seems that the world might not have been ready for it.
So hungry you could devour an entire onsen resort’s worth of food? Time to make some noodles—with a twist!



















50-year-old instant noodle recipe is back from the past in Japan for a limited time[Taste test]
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]
Why is Yoshinoya called Yoshinoya?
Japanese-style accommodation at the new Premium Dormy Inn hotel in Asakusa will blow your mind
Tokyo subway and almost all Tokyo train lines now accepting credit card tap payments
Krispy Kreme releases Super Mario doughnuts in Japan for a limited time
Rumors say this is Japan’s very best McDonald’s branch, but what makes it special?[Taste test]
Picturesque Tokyo park plays host to millions of flowers and soap bubbles this spring
Why this centuries’ old Shinto shrine is suddenly also a hot spot for anime fan art【Photos】
Japan’s smallest Toshogu Shrine: A tiny wonder with a big samurai connection
Uniqlo announces new T-shirts for One Piece, Naruto and more for manga publisher’s 100th birthday
Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]
7-Eleven Japan releases a crazy new viral sandwich: Chocolate Sprinkles and Whipped Cream
Japan now has a “for foreign tourists only” Mt. Fuji sightseeing train[Video]
Totoro and Calcifer become little light-up lanterns for Ghibli-style excursions or at-home decor
Studio Ghibli releases the My Neighbour Totoro tea caddy, with a magical self-closing lid
Create a tiny Ghibli anime world on your bookshelf with new miniature papercraft art kits
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Nine great places to see spring flowers in Japan, as chosen by travelers (with almost no sakura)
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
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
Krispy Kreme releases Super Mario doughnuts in Japan for a limited time
Rumors say this is Japan’s very best McDonald’s branch, but what makes it special?[Taste test]
Picturesque Tokyo park plays host to millions of flowers and soap bubbles this spring
Why this centuries’ old Shinto shrine is suddenly also a hot spot for anime fan art【Photos】
Japan’s smallest Toshogu Shrine: A tiny wonder with a big samurai connection
Kyoto restaurant only sells one dish, features mannequins and gets rave reviews!
Power up like Godzilla with new limited-edition Godzilla Energy Drink
Naruto’s favorite noodle shop Ichiraku Ramen is real, and we just visited it!
This upcycled Kyoto train cafe is the ultimate kawaii spring experience
Shimane has a secret hot spring town that feels like stepping into an old Japanese film
Deer are appearing in Osaka City, may have wandered there from Nara[Video]
Will listening to Japan’s biggest earworm song for five hours drive you insane? Let’s find out!
Final Fantasy and Shinkansen announce collaboration with in-train audio play, SD art and merch