Ever wanted to fly first-class but could never afford it? Here’s the next best thing (on the ground).
airline
A new cafe chain has taken flight in South Korea, bringing “first class” relaxation service to shopping malls with its airline concept.
At a vocational school in Chengdu (the provincial capital of southwestern Sichuan Province), China, potential candidates must undergo a rigorous training period in order to pass the test required to be a flight safety officer.
For those of you reading this from the comfort of home, sit back and be thankful that you’re not among these recruits, for whom daily training involves large quantities of mud and broken dishware!
Today, we’d like to share with you the experience of one of our reporters on a domestic flight in the United States. Hailing from Japan, home of the airport that hasn’t lost a piece of luggage in 20 years, our reporter Yoshio wasn’t expecting the unthinkable to happen on his brief 45-minute flight – but somehow, his bag went missing. And ended up in Ecuador!
Join us after the jump to hear his story, featuring insurance claims, flight changes, and at least one trip to buy new underwear.
Planes are never especially pleasant places to be. Even up in first class, you’re stuck in your seat for hours on end with no chance of stepping outside for a breath of fresh air, and with so many bodies packed into the same metal tube, it’s inevitable that the air starts to get a bit stale after a while. On the plus side, the worst you’ll have to deal with is a bit of body odor or your neighbor’s stinky snack food and not the overwhelming stench of a Greyhound port-a-potty.
Well, unless you happened to be on this flight from Beijing to Detroit last week…
Danny Choo, founder of Culture Japan and inexhaustible ambassador for all things moe, announced the collaboration between his mascot Mirai Suenaga and the Thai airline Asian Air on his website this week. Read on to find out just how far their plans for anime-themed air domination go.
On 20 August, a lengthy flight delay turned ugly at an airport in Beijing, where frustrated customers complaining snowballed into a scene from a zombie movie. In the middle of the fracas someone took a video and posted it on the internet.
In the video, a peculiar image of an airline employee just lying motionless on the floor has people asking: “Did he confuse his ‘what to do during a customer complaint’ manual with his ‘what to do during a bear attack’ one?”
MOST POPULAR
Now
Nine amazing off-the-beaten-path cherry blossom spots in Japan for yaezakura and shidarezakura
Stunning central Japan wisteria festival is like a purple fantasy straight out of a Ghibli movie
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Godiva now makes tofu in Japan, and sakura chocolate tofu too![Taste test]
This Japanese vending machine doesn’t sell drinks, but you can buy drinks through it
The results are in! One Piece World Top 100 characters chosen in global poll
Tokyo government organizes food truck event to clear out delinquent/homeless teen gathering area
This could be the most macho 80-year-old we’ve ever seen
You can now buy a Japanese train station clock in Japan
Mister Donut wows matcha lovers in Japan with new Dora Matcha doughnuts
Weekly
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list- Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Cherry blossoms begin blooming in Japan with record-early starts for sakura season
Studio Ghibli adds new Mother’s Day gift sets to its anime collection in Japan
Virtual idol Hatsune Miku redesigned with look that adds new elements and brings back old ones
The next time you’re feeling stressed out, you could relax on a Pokémon Psyduck chair from Japan
Komachi Shokudo: Japanese mum’s-style cooking for breakfast, lunch and dinner in Tokyo- Tokyo government organizes food truck event to clear out delinquent/homeless teen gathering area
When will the cherry blossoms reach full bloom in Japan this year?[Forecast]
Monthly
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026- Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
Nine great places to see spring flowers in Japan, as chosen by travelers (with almost no sakura)- Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino- Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
- Cherry blossoms begin blooming in Japan with record-early starts for sakura season
Japan’s cherry blossom season predicted to start earlier than we’d thought, especially in Tokyo
Yearly
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
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
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
RECOMMENDED STORIES
The results are in! One Piece World Top 100 characters chosen in global poll
Tokyo government organizes food truck event to clear out delinquent/homeless teen gathering area
This could be the most macho 80-year-old we’ve ever seen
You can now buy a Japanese train station clock in Japan
Mister Donut wows matcha lovers in Japan with new Dora Matcha doughnuts
More Than a Capsule Stay: Why Solo Travelers Choose “global cabin Yokohama Chinatown”
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
New Studio Ghibli exhibition in Tokyo features movie favourites, calligraphy by Toshio Suzuki
What’s the rule for where to put strollers on Japan’s Shinkansen bullet trains?
Starbucks Japan’s rarest Frappuccino can only be purchased at 15 stores around the country
-
