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.
Police in Japan looking for who’s responsible for dumping 80 loaves of bread on side of road [Video]
![Police in Japan looking for who’s responsible for dumping 80 loaves of bread on side of road [Video]](https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/08/1_691cbd.jpg?w=640 "Police in Japan looking for who’s responsible for dumping 80 loaves of bread on side of road [Video]")
![Pikachu and other Pokémon evolve into hydration types with Thermos drinkware collaboration [Pics]](https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/08/1_6fbfa3.jpg?w=640 "Pikachu and other Pokémon evolve into hydration types with Thermos drinkware collaboration [Pics]")
MOST POPULAR
Today
Lady Gaga and Family Mart team up for a Japanese convenience store work video [Video]
Starbucks Japan unveils new Pokémon collaboration with Pikachu Latte and exclusive goods
Do Japan’s new single-minded convenience store bento show depressing poverty or satisfying focus?
Official Metal Gear car boxes are coming to provide stealthy style for your pets
US$9,700 solid-gold Pokémon figure going on sale in Japan, life-size gold-leaf Pikachu appears too
New Godzilla figure is adorable, destructive, and baseball-loving for Dodger Stadium Godzilla Night
Studio Ghibli releases new plush mascot character collection with a focus on friendship
Beautiful Studio Ghibli coin/card cases recreate scenes and props from anime classics [Photos]
Osaka’s amazing budget-luxury hotel has free takoyaki, craft beer, and comedy shows
Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
Weekly
- Starbucks Japan unveils new Pokémon collaboration with Pikachu Latte and exclusive goods
- 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
Japanese sweet potato ice cream season! Häagen-Dazs and Muji take different paths to our hearts- Do Japan’s new single-minded convenience store bento show depressing poverty or satisfying focus?
- Beautiful Studio Ghibli coin/card cases recreate scenes and props from anime classics [Photos]
New Gundam Base superstores coming soon in the U.S., with one opening this month- Lady Gaga and Family Mart team up for a Japanese convenience store work video [Video]
- Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
Japanese convenience store is very focused with its new bento…maybe TOO focused
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
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
Japan approves foreign resident visa renewal fee increases of up to 967 percent, starts soon
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
Studio Ghibli releases new onigiri rice ball-shaped lunch bag for Kiki’s Delivery Service fans
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
New Godzilla figure is adorable, destructive, and baseball-loving for Dodger Stadium Godzilla Night
Studio Ghibli releases new plush mascot character collection with a focus on friendship
Beautiful Studio Ghibli coin/card cases recreate scenes and props from anime classics [Photos]
Osaka’s amazing budget-luxury hotel has free takoyaki, craft beer, and comedy shows
Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
Sanrio to release own rhythm game for smartphones next January
Japanese airport offering 19,250-yen sandwiches as last Japan meal for international travelers
7-Eleven Japan revamps its convenience store pizza, but did it ruin a good thing?
Converse Japan and one of Japan’s greatest painters combine for fine fowl shoes [Photos]
McDonald’s Japan makes beautifully bittersweet burger anime music video with Idolmaster [Video]
Japan restarts at-home collection agent visits for public TV fees
Famous Kyoto shrine has a message for foreign tourists who think it’s okay to dance at sacred sites
Fukushima’s popular dialect T-shirt vending machine gets its first sibling in Iwaki
Three Daiso ideas for a super-cheap but still cool (or cute) Halloween look
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