Akita dogs
Symbol of loyalty turned into a sign of the times, but Tokyo authorities ask people to stop.
The iconic green train car that sits in front of Shibuya Station’s Hachiko statue is finding a new home.
When we recently came across an adorable Shiba Inu peering out of a wall of shrubbery and an Akita dog poking his nose out of a hole in the wall, we figured these were one-off, rare sightings, much like the sight of a hedgehog riding on the back of a rubber duck or a cat dressed in an elegant kimono.
But it turns out we were just scratching the surface of a well-known pastime in the canine world, which involves dogs of all shapes and sizes squeezing themselves into holes in walls to catch a whiff of what’s going on outside. And no dog is immune to the trend, with bulldogs, collies and beagles getting in on the cute act too!
We tend to think of silly Internet and photo memes as being strictly a human pastime, but is it possible that our pets, in an attempt to further increase their influence over online culture, have decided to get in on the act? The answer may be yes, since after a pair of Shiba Inu captured our hearts by squeezing themselves into narrow garden spaces, this member of the breed’s domestic rival, the Akita dog, is getting in on the trend with a bit of Tetris-style contortionism as he pops out from a garden wall.






A look back on 40 years of Japanese schools banning stuff
Man arrested in Japan after leaving car in coin parking lot for six years, racking up three-million-yen bill
Swapping seats on Japan’s bullet trains is not allowed, Shinkansen operator says
All Tokyo public high schools abolish rules forcing students to dye non-black hair, underwear color regs
Majority of Japanese women in survey regret marrying their husband, but that’s only half the story
Take a trip to Japan’s Dododo Land, the most irritating place on Earth
Foreigners accounting for over 80 percent of off-course skiers needing rescue in Japan’s Hokkaido
Cup Noodle maker Nissin teams up with thick-broth ramen chain for instant ramen rice[Taste test]
We try out the fifth most popular restaurant among foreigners in Japan: Italian restaurant Nino
Japan has omurice chocolate, and the weirdest thing isn’t how it tastes
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting the lines at a popular Tokyo gyukatsu restaurant?
Three beautiful places to see Japan’s plum blossoms after starting your day in downtown Tokyo
Downloads of 39-year-old Guns N’ Roses song increase 12,166 percent thanks to Gundam
Cherry blossom forecasts map shows Japan’s OTHER sakura season is starting right now
Huge Evangelion Unit-01 head appearing in lights in Japan to celebrate anime’s 30th anniversary
Family Mart releases huge range of cute sweets for Cat Day in Japan
Japan’s first all-matcha ramen restaurant is now open in Kyoto【Photos】
7-Eleven Japan sells freshly baked pizzas…but are they any good?
New Studio Ghibli stamps leave an impression on your stationery…and your heart
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Japan releases first official sakura cherry blossom forecast for 2026
Archfiend Hello Kitty appears as Sanrio launches new team-up with Yu-Gi-Oh【Pics】
China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning looks to be affecting tourist crowds on Miyajima
Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
Studio Ghibli releases new “komorebi” plush toys from Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away
Yokai are descending upon Tokyo this spring in the latest immersive art experience
Japan’s Naruto theme park now offering real-world version of Minato’s kunai ninja weapon
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
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
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
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
Take a trip to Japan’s Dododo Land, the most irritating place on Earth
Foreigners accounting for over 80 percent of off-course skiers needing rescue in Japan’s Hokkaido
Cup Noodle maker Nissin teams up with thick-broth ramen chain for instant ramen rice[Taste test]
We try out the fifth most popular restaurant among foreigners in Japan: Italian restaurant Nino
Japan has omurice chocolate, and the weirdest thing isn’t how it tastes
420 million yen in cash-filled suitcases stolen on Tokyo streets, incidents at Haneda and Hong Kong follow
Our resident illustrator dramatically corrects an amateur drawing in 10 minutes
A spotlight on Japanese singles figure skating: Jumping into the 2026 Olympics【Pt. II】
Japan has a new bar just for people thinking about quitting their jobs, and the drinks are free
Octopus tentacle ear plugs coming to Japanese capsule toy machines
Starbucks Japan blooms an Earl Grey Bouquet & Tea Frappuccino and latte for summer
The Hayao Miyazaki anime we never got – New art book reveals Ghibli legend’s unrealized concepts
Exquisite Fist of the North Star shochu set on sale for limited time
Cats and dogs apologising at Japanese press conference is our newest gacha capsule toy obsession