Bringing you yesterday's news from Japan and Asia, today.
Akakara
Aoki’s Pizza, the Japanese pizza chain which brought you last year’s chocolate and pineapple-topped Black Thunder pizza, is teaming up with fellow Nagoya-based Akakara (a popular nabe chain) for another wacky yet oddly appetizing-looking menu item: introducing this year’s “Akakara Cochin [a breed of chicken] meatball pizza.”
You can assemble a well-balanced team of Pokémon, them eat them, thanks to Japanese cake chain
Japan’s full-facemask Ninja Parka still lets you eat ice cream[Photos]
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
Licca-chan dolls released in North America for first time in nearly 60 years
Can a downtown Tokyo super sento bathhouse beat a hotel for a one-night stay?
Two food hacks take Japan’s convenience store fried chicken to amazing new sandwich heights
Animal Crossing plushie pouch towels and cozy socks show up at Family Mart convenience stores
Japan’s favorite popsicle is changing the way it tastes and feels for first time in over 20 years
Japanese doll enthusiast shares photos of his “daughter” at Tokyo Disneyland and Disney SeaPokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Tokyo’s best museum for foreign travelers finally reopens after being closed for four years
Pokémon lacquerware series expands for Year of the Horse with new handcrafted design[Video]Two food hacks take Japan’s convenience store fried chicken to amazing new sandwich heights
Tokyo subway and almost all Tokyo train lines now accepting credit card tap payments
Totoro Fund line of beautiful artwork and apparel lets you help the real-world Totoro Forest
Fading Tokyo – Searching for signs of the Showa era as local neighborhoods evolve[Photos]
Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]
Tokyo turns its phone booths into free Wi-Fi hotspots, and here’s how to use them
Studio Ghibli adds new My Neighbour Totoro 2026 Corn Gift to its anime store for Mother’s DayPokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
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
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
Krispy Kreme releases Super Mario doughnuts in Japan for a limited time
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Nine great places to see spring flowers in Japan, as chosen by travelers (with almost no sakura)
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
Can a downtown Tokyo super sento bathhouse beat a hotel for a one-night stay?
Two food hacks take Japan’s convenience store fried chicken to amazing new sandwich heights
Animal Crossing plushie pouch towels and cozy socks show up at Family Mart convenience stores
Japan’s favorite popsicle is changing the way it tastes and feels for first time in over 20 years
Japanese doll enthusiast shares photos of his “daughter” at Tokyo Disneyland and Disney Sea
When is it OK to take a naked hot spring bath with your Japanese girlfriend/boyfriend?
Spirited Away adds a dash of Ghibli beauty to hanafuda flower cards【Photos】
Video claims that if you can read a certain font, you are probably not Japanese【Video】
Fading Tokyo – Searching for signs of the Showa era as local neighborhoods evolve[Photos]
We visit the 24-hour male-only sauna just outside of Hakata Station and ponder a strange sight
Do people in Kyoto really stand to the right on escalators?
Starbucks Japan unveils epic Frappuccino hunt with five to find in new Star birthday campaign
Kyoto experiencing problems with foreign tourists not paying for bus fares, but not on purpose
A Sumo Wrestler’s Tail: Studio Ghibli short anime film gets a new merchandise collection