Now in its third year of testing, the artificial intelligence just earned its best mock entrance exam score yet.
On vacation in Tokyo but feeling a little “lost in translation”? Well, if you’ve got the cash to splash, why not make your Japan experience even more memorable by paying homage to the classic comedy-drama of the same name by staying at the Park Hyatt Hotel, considered by some to be Tokyo’s best luxury hotel.
For those who are extremely fortunate, as one Reddit user recently found, you might even score a fabulous night in the suite used by Bill Murray in the movie.
A muscular, all-male Sailor Moon senshi group has just released a live-action music video in honour of the hit anime from Japan.
Teenage drummer Senri Kawaguchi, famous for her enthusiastic YouTube videos, appears in a stunning new video for the Japan National Football Team!
We’ve all heard about how safe Japan is. But unless you live here, you may not understand why Japan is considered so safe. The uninitiated may presume that safety is enforced through a rigid society that doesn’t allow freedom of expression, that Japanese people are too worried about losing face to commit a crime, or that the government comes down unnecessarily hard on people who step out of line. In reality, none of these rings true.
But we can’t deny that there’s one thing that Japan does better than anyone else. Join us after the jump for some insights and our own observations.
There’s a long backstory to this figure inspired by virtual idol Hatsune Miku, but here’s the condensed version: She’s got no pants, or underwear, for that matter.
ZOZOTOWN, the Japanese fashion retailer with a name that kind of sounds and looks like they’re shouting at you, is a pretty big deal in Japan.
The company, which operates an online marketplace, primarily markets to women – so much so that you’d be hard pressed to find a Japanese teen or 20-something girl that doesn’t have at least a few items of clothing purchased there – which makes their choice of a certain bearded model for a new clothing line all the more unexpected.
Last weekend, Tokyo’s two most famous structures switched their usual lighting to blue, white, and red in a showing of solidarity with the French people.
We’ve seen Pikachu’s skeleton and Disney princesses as flirty pin-up girls but now it’s time to see all our favourite childhood characters take a walk on the wild side with this nightmarish trip down memory lane.
Earlier this year, we shared news about a restaurant in Tokyo where you can dine between the train tracks of the busy Chuo Line. One of our Japanese-language reporters finally got the chance to visit the location for himself, and we’d like to share his thoughts about getting up close and personal with some trains!
With much of the world’s population being separated from the farming process these days, it’s easy for us to forget that the hamburger we just ate came from a living, breathing, thinking, and possibly even emotionally engaged cow.
Pictures and videos emerged in Hong Kong last week after a motorist struck a bull. While that is sad in itself, what gained media attention is that the rest of the bull’s herd gathered around to push him to safety and then mourn the tragedy.
Winter is settling in and the nights are getting colder. Fortunately, that means you’ll soon be able to slumber snugly in a Rilakkuma sleeping bag!
In the small town of Inakadate, Shota Kawasaki was both employed at a straw-crafts workshop and a member of his local volunteer fire department. However, this village of 8,000 people was far more famous for its rice paddy art than fires breaking out, and while making straw art is charming in its own way, it can get to be a drag day in and day out.
That’s why Aomori prefectural police are suspecting Kawasaki of starting a series of fires over the past six months; so that he could allegedly feel the rush of putting them out.
These are the most powerful anime heroes as chosen by fans outside of Japan. Who will claim the top spot and does your favorite make the list?
A recent viral video of a young Korean girl initially pouting then breaking into giggles at the sound of her squeaky shoes is just the thing you need to kick your week off right!
Japan is famous for fast trains, but one new line crawls along at 14 kilometers (8.7 miles) per hour! Can the ultra-slow Snow Turtle save an endangered company?
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Today
New official Ghibli anime food cookbook will teach you how to make Ponyo’s ramen and more
What’s up with the Ghibli Park photo and video ban?
Krispy Kreme releases a new Doughwich… at only one store in Japan
Japan’s cafe that won’t let you go home until you solve a puzzle is opening in Osaka’s canal district
Starbucks Japan has a problem with its sell-out breakfast that might annoy solo diners
Pikachu cakes and other adorable Pokémon 30th anniversary food coming to Tokyo luxury hotel
Osaka is hosting a “hentai” event, but it’s probably not what you think
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Weekly
Japan’s real-world Pokémon hot spring’s first photos are here![Photos]- Japanese convenience store Lawson launches new “mini supermarket” chain, L Minimart
Gundam teams up with 300-year-old daruma maker for wood-carved anime mecha figures[Photos]- Japan’s adorable pudding chick becomes a transit card mascot
Krispy Kreme releases new limited-edition fox doughnuts at only four stores in Japan
The Japan Burger Championship 2026 in Yokohama next month is the ultimate battle of the beef
Mr. Sato takes a walk on Tokyo’s American-style street to get some American/Japanese ice cream
Two new Sailor Moon art manhole covers are coming to Usagi’s real-world Tokyo neighborhood
Sushi Pizza surprises diners in one of the best food destinations in Japan
Tokyo’s new extra-expensive ramen restaurant is dividing opinions, so we tried a bowl
Monthly
Tokyo’s life-size Gundam anime mecha statue will be removed this summer
The average age of Japan’s hikikomori shut-ins is getting older, survey shows
Ichiraku Ramen-inspired ramen sets from Naruto anime pay homage to Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura
Kanji ice cream becomes a sell-out hit in Japan
Japan enters Golden Week vacation period, survey shows one in three plan to ride it out at home
Japan now has gyoza doughnuts, and they taste like no other doughnut we’ve tried before- Japan’s real-world Pokémon hot spring’s first photos are here![Photos]
- Japanese convenience store Lawson launches new “mini supermarket” chain, L Minimart
Japan has a new cute and clever sunblock for cat lovers- Tokyo’s new extra-expensive ramen restaurant is dividing opinions, so we tried a bowl
Yearly
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
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]
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Pikachu cakes and other adorable Pokémon 30th anniversary food coming to Tokyo luxury hotel
Osaka is hosting a “hentai” event, but it’s probably not what you think
Japanese convenience store Lawson launches new “mini supermarket” chain, L Minimart
Starbucks Japan releases a new limited-edition Frappuccino inspired by espresso affogato
Japan’s adorable pudding chick becomes a transit card mascot
Studio Ghibli releases Ponyo donburi bowl to bring anime ramen to life
Studio Ghibli still doesn’t allow its anime to be streamed online in Japan, and here’s why
Sushi Pizza surprises diners in one of the best food destinations in Japan
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Official Spirited Away cookbook teaches how to make food from the Ghibli anime classic
Gigantic gacha machine appears in Tokyo department store for capsule toy celebration
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133-year-old Japanese company’s cookies go beyond matcha with dashi and shichimi flavors
The Japan Burger Championship 2026 in Yokohama next month is the ultimate battle of the beef
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