We visit Hobonichi HQ in Tokyo to give you the highlights and our must-buy recommendations for next year’s range.
United Airlines will soon fly nonstop to Japan’s tropical southern islands, with a new direct route to Osaka as well.
End of the line for JR East’s adorable mascot for its revolutionary train fare payment system.
Full-scale anime robot statue’s time in Tokyo is coming to an end, leading to an unsure future regarding mecha in the capital.
Some reminders: Japan isn’t always as wacky as foreign media wants to think it is, literal translation can trip non-linguists up, and Osamu Tezuka was a really good manga creator.
For about 2,000 yen more than a regular reserved seat, you can spend the night on board the bullet train instead of paying for a hotel.
The moon rises at McDonald’s with eight limited-edition items on the menu, including a sukiyaki burger.
If you’re craving massive meals on a budget, portion-boosted convenience store foods are the way to go.
Questions are being raised over whether money from foreign tourists is being used as intended.
MOST POPULAR
Today
Studio Ghibli releases new plush mascot character collection with a focus on friendship
Studio Ghibli unveils new anime stationery collection, with a Spirited Away River God memo stand
Pikachu plushie actually goes into space as part of Pokémon/European Space Agency collaboration
Final Fantasy VII’s Buster Sword gets real-world practicality as a giant towel [Photos]
Japanese convenience store is very focused with its new bento…maybe TOO focused
Three amazing Japanese convenience store sweet potato desserts to eat right now (and 11 for later)
Emperor of Japan poses for photo with Studio Ghibli’s No Face [Video]
Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
My night trapped in Nagoya’s flood: what do you do when Japan’s trains shut down?
Japanese sweet potato ice cream season! Häagen-Dazs and Muji take different paths to our hearts
Weekly
New Gundam Base superstores coming soon in the U.S., with one opening this month
Bear spotted near most popular hiking trail on Tokyo’s most popular hiking mountain- Japanese sweet potato ice cream season! Häagen-Dazs and Muji take different paths to our hearts
Get more room in your luggage with new clothing compression machines at Haneda and Narita airports- Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
OC Japan Fair returns to California packed with all kinds of Japanese culture- Studio Ghibli unveils new anime stationery collection, with a Spirited Away River God memo stand
Pokémon Adidas crossover sneaker line releases in Japan, gives your feet Pikachu hugs [Pics]
Tokyo’s Square Burger claims it’s a viral hit with foreign tourists who’ve given it near-perfect Google reviews
Everything old is new, and cool, again at this hotel in Japan’s hot spring town comeback king
Monthly
Japan’s final Penguin Suica train cards have already shipped, and when they’re gone, they’re gone- Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
Studio Ghibli unveils new anime calendars and diary planners for 2027
Japan approves foreign resident visa renewal fee increases of up to 967 percent, starts soon
Japan tripled its departure tax to fund tourism but is using the money on cherry blossoms and bears
Solo travel in Japan: Hidden beer garden in Tokyo is a haven for single visitors- New Gundam Base superstores coming soon in the U.S., with one opening this month
Kyoto temple bans visitors from wearing kimono
Hobonichi unveils new 2027 planners, diaries and stationery with One Piece, Suica Penguin, Hello Kitty and a must-buy Mini Techo
Farewell Final Ceremony announced for Tokyo’s life-size Gundam statue, will stream live
Yearly
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
RECOMMENDED STORIES
Three amazing Japanese convenience store sweet potato desserts to eat right now (and 11 for later)
Emperor of Japan poses for photo with Studio Ghibli’s No Face [Video]
Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
My night trapped in Nagoya’s flood: what do you do when Japan’s trains shut down?
Japanese sweet potato ice cream season! Häagen-Dazs and Muji take different paths to our hearts
Denny’s Mapputatsu? Parfait is hiding a big secret in plain sight that splits us down the middle
Here’s why you’ll never want to hit a hole-in-one in Japan
Three Daiso ideas for a super-cheap but still cool (or cute) Halloween look
Famous Kyoto shrine has a message for foreign tourists who think it’s okay to dance at sacred sites
Car-floating sheets selling well to cope with increasing flood risk in Japan
Only two Yoshinoya branches in all of Japan are on a train platform, and this is one of them
New Gundam Base superstores coming soon in the U.S., with one opening this month
Studio Ghibli releases new anime socks that pay tribute to characters from four different movies
Tokyo cafe challenges customers to play with their food? Challenge accepted!
-
