Spring relocations in Japan can drain your budget faster than expected, and garbage disposal fees are the biggest surprise.
Osaka Municipal Water Bureau suddenly becomes quite a bit closer to being flush with funds.
Ecological goals and economic concerns mean no more free bags and more by-location price variations.
What’s creamy on the outside, jiggly on the inside, and pink and delicious all over? This new sakura dessert drink.
One country is clearly the cause, but fewer foreign tourists might not put the pressure it expects on Japan.
Train etiquette can be hard to navigate for tourists, but locals need to watch their manners too.
![Japanese zoo’s monkey bonds with Ikea stuffed orangutang following abandonment by mother[Video]](https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/im-1.jpg?w=640 "Japanese zoo’s monkey bonds with Ikea stuffed orangutang following abandonment by mother[Video]")
Punch’s life started with a metaphorical gut-punch, but things are cuddlier, and happier, now.
Manga Plus adds feature that lets fans put manga page art they’ve fallen in love with onto a shirt.
![How to make curry in a rice cooker with zero prep work and no water[Recipe]](https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/rc-1.jpg?w=640 "How to make curry in a rice cooker with zero prep work and no water[Recipe]")
![We tried six Japanese burger chains’ coffee to test the state of fast food coffee in Japan[Taste test]](https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/bc-0.jpg?w=640 "We tried six Japanese burger chains’ coffee to test the state of fast food coffee in Japan[Taste test]")
In a rare twist, we headed to McDonald’s Japan, Mos Burger, and more without buying a single sandwich, because today we’re all about the beans.
![Is Sapporio’s Snow Festival awesome enough to be worth visiting even if you hate the snow? [Pics]](https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/sy-3.jpg?w=640 "Is Sapporio’s Snow Festival awesome enough to be worth visiting even if you hate the snow? [Pics]")
Can Hokkaido’s annual outdoor art event charm a Tohoku girl who’s always been lukewarm on winter travel?
Gomen means sorry in Japanese, but in this town you’ll see it written on the streetcar destination displays.
Styled like a traditional sento, this izakaya chain lines its walls with 13 working faucets that let you pour your own drink.
This stairway of hina dolls at a local shrine is a true sight to behold and might actually make you lose your breath for good reason.
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How are you supposed to wash a Japanese futon duvet at the laundromat?
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Family Mart’s new Famima flagship in Tokyo has a hidden gem that most visitors miss
Studio Ghibli adds new Ponyo glassware to its anime lineup for summer
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japanese Shinkansen becomes an overnight hotel for three nights this summer
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Monthly
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it- Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
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Japan triples departure tax, foreign tourists and locals now must pay more to leave country- Studio Ghibli releases anime T-shirts that pay homage to one of Hayao Miyazaki’s most personal films
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Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
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Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
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Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
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Japanese Shinkansen becomes an overnight hotel for three nights this summer
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Japanese Coo-Che becomes a viral sensation, and everyone wants a taste
Giant Evangelion Spear of Longinus to be installed at Japanese train station with Eva art trains
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A roadside hair salon stall in China made us Norway’s Haaland for US$1, and warmed out hearts too
Why is Taco Bell failing in Japan, even as the country falls in love with tacos?
Starbucks Japan adds a new summer Frappuccino to the menu, but is it as refreshing as it looks?
Pokémon Card Stores requiring facial recognition scans for entry in Japan in latest anti-scalper move
Studio Ghibli Laputa figure looks like it’s really flying thanks to cool visual trick
Kodama Shinkansen trains on popular Japan route get a whole new look this winter
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