Despite Seiji’s copyrighted music playing on TV for the first time, why didn’t he get a big, fat check?!
2026 nengajo drawing comes with a never-before-seen photo of the legendary anime director.
A round-up of the best limited-edition drinks Starbucks served up in Japan this past year.
The colorful displays and activities make Tamagotchi feel a lot less stressful than what we remember.
Meeting someone through games or social media is becoming just as normal as going to the playground.
Train to off-the-beaten-path onsen town gives you a taste of Japanese bathing culture even before you arrive at your destination.
Intricately detailed frames let you mix your real life memories with Ghibi’s unforgettable anime settings.
A new test kit checks for hidden iron deficiency using menstrual blood, and it’s super simple to use.
J-horror classic Ring 2 airing on Japanese TV with Zen monk offering prayers every time someone dies
Japan’s most quirkily empathetic monk is back to keep bad mojo away from us as the year ends.
With peak Fuji-viewing season coming up, here are seven spots to add to your Japan travel list.
Two Sanrio stars slip on sumo loincloths to celebrate the first nig sumo tournament of the year.




















Drink vending machines disappearing in Japan as number drops to lowest in 30 years
Mt. Fuji decorated with a 500,000-flower pink carpet is Japan’s ultimate spring view
30 Pikachus want to share a Tokyo hotel room with you that has separate Grass, Water, Fire spaces
Pokémon store character meet-and-greet events to resume in May
Pringles Chocolate, but with a Japanese twist, is the snack hack you should be trying right now
New Travelling Bento pouches turn your luggage into a Japanese lunch box
A taste of Japanese curry usually only sold overseas, at Tokyo’s Curry House CoCo Ichibanya World
University of Tokyo announces new department with all classes taught in English
Japanese politician arrested on charges of accepting bribes to reduce number of monkeys in park
A Kyoto factory vending machine sells gourmet mystery meals at bargain prices
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Starbucks Japan closing only Shinkansen platform branch for popularity-triggered renovations
You can assemble a well-balanced team of Pokémon, them eat them, thanks to Japanese cake chain
Two food hacks take Japan’s convenience store fried chicken to amazing new sandwich heights
7-Eleven Japan’s new baked-in-store sweet treat is only available in three parts of the country
Man bites woman at cherry blossom park in Japan, dies shortly after
Peanuts and Coke becomes a viral hit in Japan, but is it a trend worth joining?
Can a downtown Tokyo super sento bathhouse beat a hotel for a one-night stay?
New Japanese KitKats come in sakura flavour, with poetic symbolism for success
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]
Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]
Uniqlo announces new T-shirts for One Piece, Naruto and more for manga publisher’s 100th birthday
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
Krispy Kreme releases Super Mario doughnuts in Japan for a limited time
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
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
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
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
New Travelling Bento pouches turn your luggage into a Japanese lunch box
A taste of Japanese curry usually only sold overseas, at Tokyo’s Curry House CoCo Ichibanya World
University of Tokyo announces new department with all classes taught in English
Japanese politician arrested on charges of accepting bribes to reduce number of monkeys in park
A Kyoto factory vending machine sells gourmet mystery meals at bargain prices
Tokyo’s best museum for foreign travelers finally reopens after being closed for four years
What’s it like to eat goat sashimi from a Japanese vending machine?
Family Mart unveils new Japanese bread that elevates convenience store food to mocchiri levels
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Studio Ghibli unveils My Neighbour Totoro miniature house model
Animal Crossing plushie pouch towels and cozy socks show up at Family Mart convenience stores
Krispy Kreme Japan giving free donuts with morning drink purchases at all branches, maybe forever